HHS Awards $9.9M for TANF Training to BLH Technologies Under Full and Open Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,908,703 ($9.9M)
Contractor: BLH Technologies Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2024-09-30
End Date: 2026-09-29
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: STATE AND TRIBAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES (STAR) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAMS.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20201
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $9.9 million to BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC for work described as: STATE AND TRIBAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES (STAR) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAMS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to BLH Technologies Inc. for TANF program support. 2. Competition method: Full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 3. Risk: Moderate, given the fixed-price contract and defined scope. 4. Sector: Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $9.9M for a 2-year period appears reasonable for specialized technical assistance. Benchmarking against similar consulting contracts for federal program support would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition after excluding specific sources, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used to enhance the effectiveness of TANF programs through expert training and technical assistance, aiming for improved outcomes for beneficiaries.
Public Impact
Enhances critical social services by improving TANF program administration. Supports vulnerable populations by ensuring effective program delivery. Invests in federal agency capacity building for better public service. Promotes efficient use of government resources through expert consultation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if training needs evolve significantly.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical TTA.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract duration and defined deliverables.
- Competitive award process.
- Focus on improving a key social safety net program.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector, which is crucial for optimizing government program operations. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for specialized expertise not available in-house.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small businesses were not directly awarded this contract, as it was awarded to BLH Technologies Inc. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses are involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources. Oversight will focus on performance against contract requirements and adherence to the fixed-price agreement.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract awarded through full and open competition.
- Fixed-price contract type limits cost risk.
- Clear contract end date.
- Focus on improving a vital social program.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, dc, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $9.9 million to BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC. STATE AND TRIBAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCES (STAR) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TTA) FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) PROGRAMS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BLH TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.
What is the expected impact of this training on TANF program efficiency and effectiveness?
The training and technical assistance are expected to improve the operational efficiency and programmatic effectiveness of TANF programs. This includes enhancing case management, service delivery, and compliance with federal regulations, ultimately aiming to better serve eligible families and achieve program goals.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?
Key risks include potential cost overruns if the scope expands beyond initial estimates and the risk of vendor performance issues. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and regular progress reviews to ensure the vendor meets all obligations.
How does the pricing compare to similar government contracts for management consulting services?
Without specific benchmark data for comparable TANF TTA contracts, a precise pricing assessment is difficult. However, the fixed-price structure and competitive award suggest an effort to secure value. A detailed comparison with similar consulting engagements would be necessary for a definitive evaluation.
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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 75ACF124R00019
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1803 RESEARCH BLVD, 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: $24,895,561
Exercised Options: $9,908,703
Current Obligation: $9,908,703
Actual Outlays: $6,730,779
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-09-29
Potential End Date: 2029-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-25
More Contracts from BLH Technologies Inc
- Publications, Media and Marketing — $19.7M (Department of Health and Human Services)
- AD HOC Support for Budget Analysis - National Science Foundation Budget, Finance and Award Management (BFA) — $2.1M (National Science Foundation)
Other Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
- Contact Center Operations (CCO) — $5.5B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- TAS::75 0849::TAS Oper of Govt R&D Goco Facilities — $4.8B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Provide the Full Complement of Services Necessary to Care for UC in ORR Custody Including Facilities Set-Up, Maintenance, and Support Internal and Perimeter (IF Applicable) Security, Direct Care and Supervision Inc — $3.5B (Rapid Deployment Inc)
- Contact Center Operations — $2.6B (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)
- Federal Contract — $2.4B (Leidos Biomedical Research Inc)
View all Department of Health and Human Services contracts →