NSF awards $2.1M contract to BLH Technologies for ad hoc budget analysis support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,101,925 ($2.1M)

Contractor: BLH Technologies Inc

Awarding Agency: National Science Foundation

Start Date: 2023-02-01

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: AD HOC SUPPORT FOR BUDGET ANALYSIS - NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION BUDGET, FINANCE AND AWARD MANAGEMENT (BFA)

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Science Foundation obligated $2.1 million to BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: AD HOC SUPPORT FOR BUDGET ANALYSIS - NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION BUDGET, FINANCE AND AWARD MANAGEMENT (BFA) Key points: 1. Contract value is $2.1 million over approximately 4 years. 2. BLH Technologies Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is for administrative management and general management consulting services. 4. This falls under the IT sector due to the nature of budget analysis tools and systems.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Time and Materials (T&M) award, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking T&M rates for similar consulting services is crucial for assessing value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. However, it's a delivery order, implying it might be part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which could limit the scope of competition for this specific order.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for consulting services to support budget analysis, aiming for improved financial management within the NSF.

Public Impact

Ensures continued support for the National Science Foundation's budget analysis capabilities. Supports efficient financial management and resource allocation within a key federal agency. Potential for improved data-driven decision-making in scientific research funding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
Limited visibility into specific deliverables and performance metrics.
Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition.
Supports a critical function for the National Science Foundation.
Long-term contract provides stability for budget analysis support.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, often involving IT systems and data analysis for financial planning. Benchmarks for similar consulting contracts vary widely based on scope and duration, but $2.1M over 4 years suggests a moderate investment for specialized support.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in the subcontracting opportunities for this contract. Further investigation would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical to ensure the contractor delivers value within the T&M framework and stays within the allocated budget. The NSF's Finance and Award Management (BFA) office is responsible for managing this contract.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
National Science Foundation Contracting
National Science Foundation Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type.
Potential for undefined scope creep.
Limited public information on specific deliverables.
Sole awardee may limit competitive pressure on pricing over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Science Foundation awarded $2.1 million to BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC. AD HOC SUPPORT FOR BUDGET ANALYSIS - NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION BUDGET, FINANCE AND AWARD MANAGEMENT (BFA)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Science Foundation (National Science Foundation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-02-01. End: 2027-01-31.

What specific budget analysis tools or methodologies will BLH Technologies implement or support under this contract, and how do these align with NSF's strategic financial goals?

The contract details are limited, but ad hoc support for budget analysis typically involves assisting with data collection, financial modeling, forecasting, and reporting. The specific tools and methodologies would likely be tailored to NSF's existing financial systems and reporting requirements. Alignment with strategic goals would depend on the clarity of NSF's financial objectives and the contractor's ability to provide actionable insights.

Given the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, what measures are in place to prevent cost overruns and ensure the government receives fair value for the services rendered?

Effective oversight is paramount. This includes establishing clear labor categories with pre-negotiated rates, setting spending limits, closely monitoring hours worked, and requiring detailed progress reports. The NSF contracting officer must actively manage the contract, ensuring that the work performed is necessary, efficient, and directly contributes to the stated objectives to mitigate T&M risks.

How will the effectiveness of BLH Technologies' support be measured, and what key performance indicators (KPIs) will be used to evaluate their contribution to NSF's budget analysis functions?

Effectiveness can be measured through KPIs such as the timeliness and accuracy of budget reports, the identification of cost-saving opportunities, the successful implementation of new analytical processes, and feedback from NSF budget analysts. Regular performance reviews and adherence to agreed-upon service level agreements (SLAs) will be crucial for assessing the contractor's impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 49100423Q0003

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1803 RESEARCH BLVD STE 500, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,114,265

Exercised Options: $2,635,119

Current Obligation: $2,101,925

Actual Outlays: $1,814,813

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0064W

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline