FDA awards $2.7M task order for laboratory safety support to IHRC, Inc. under existing IDIQ

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,721,399 ($2.7M)

Contractor: Ihrc, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2021-08-31

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 1,855 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER UNDER IDIQ CONTRACT 75F40120D00043 ENTITLED, "OFFICE LABORATORY SAFETY WORKSTREAM SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, DEKALB County, GEORGIA, 30346

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.7 million to IHRC, INCORPORATED for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER UNDER IDIQ CONTRACT 75F40120D00043 ENTITLED, "OFFICE LABORATORY SAFETY WORKSTREAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Task order awarded under a previously competed IDIQ contract, suggesting potential for streamlined procurement. 2. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which shifts cost risk to the contractor. 3. The duration of the task order is over 1800 days, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process. 6. The task order is a Delivery Order, indicating it is a specific work assignment under a larger contract.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without more detailed service descriptions and comparable contract data. However, the firm fixed-price structure is generally favorable for the government, as it caps costs. The duration suggests a significant, ongoing need, and the price per year is approximately $1.46 million, which needs to be assessed against the scope of work and market rates for similar laboratory safety support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The specific IDIQ contract (75F40120D00043) under which this task order was issued would have undergone its own competitive process. The full and open competition for this task order suggests a healthy market for laboratory safety support services and provides the agency with a range of options.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Public Impact

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) benefits from continued laboratory safety support, crucial for regulatory compliance and research integrity. This contract ensures the provision of professional, scientific, and technical services essential for maintaining safe laboratory environments. The services delivered will likely support FDA's mission to protect public health by ensuring the safety and efficacy of regulated products. The contract is geographically located in Georgia (st='GA', sn='GEORGIA'), implying direct impact on the local workforce and economy in that region.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the scope of 'laboratory safety workstream support' makes it difficult to fully assess value for money.
The broad NAICS code (541990) could encompass a wide range of services, potentially obscuring the precise nature and cost drivers of the support provided.
The long duration of the task order (over 4 years) necessitates ongoing monitoring to ensure continued relevance and cost-effectiveness.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a firm fixed-price contract, which provides cost certainty for the government.
The task order was competed fully and openly, suggesting a competitive market and potential for good pricing.
The contract is a delivery order under an existing IDIQ, which can streamline the procurement process for follow-on needs.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the broad 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically NAICS code 541990. This sector is vital for government operations, providing specialized expertise across various agencies. Spending in this area often supports research, development, testing, and regulatory functions. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific nature of the laboratory safety support, but the overall market for scientific and technical consulting services is substantial.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (sb=false) and set-asides (ss=false) were not factors in this specific task order award. This suggests that the competition was not specifically targeted towards small businesses, and the prime contractor, IHRC, Inc., is likely a larger entity. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist for small businesses within the scope of this task order.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would primarily reside with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As a delivery order under an IDIQ, the initial contract vehicle likely had established oversight mechanisms. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract shifts some risk, but the agency remains responsible for monitoring performance, ensuring compliance with the statement of work, and verifying that the services provided meet the required standards for laboratory safety.

Related Government Programs

HHS Laboratory Safety Programs
FDA Research and Development Support Contracts
Professional and Technical Services for Federal Agencies
Scientific Support Services Contracts
IDIQ Contract Vehicles

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep given the broad NAICS code and long duration.
Reliance on contractor's expertise for critical safety functions.
Need for robust government oversight to ensure compliance and effectiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.7 million to IHRC, INCORPORATED. NEW TASK ORDER UNDER IDIQ CONTRACT 75F40120D00043 ENTITLED, "OFFICE LABORATORY SAFETY WORKSTREAM SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is IHRC, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-31. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific scope of 'Office Laboratory Safety Workstream Support' provided under this task order?

The provided data indicates the task order is for 'OFFICE LABORATORY SAFETY WORKSTREAM SUPPORT' under IDIQ contract 75F40120D00043. However, the specific details of the workstream support are not elaborated in the provided data snippet. Typically, such support could encompass a range of activities including developing and implementing safety protocols, conducting risk assessments, providing safety training, managing hazardous materials, ensuring regulatory compliance (e.g., OSHA, EPA standards), maintaining safety equipment, and advising on laboratory design and procedures to minimize risks. The broad NAICS code 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services') further suggests a diverse potential scope. A deeper dive into the contract's statement of work would be necessary to fully understand the precise services rendered.

How does the awarded amount of $2.72 million compare to similar laboratory safety support contracts within the federal government?

Directly comparing the $2.72 million award for this specific task order requires access to a comprehensive database of federal contracts with detailed scopes of work and pricing. Without such data, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, considering the task order duration of approximately 1855 days (over 5 years), the average annual value is roughly $1.46 million. This figure needs to be evaluated against the complexity and criticality of the laboratory safety services required by the FDA. Contracts for similar professional, scientific, and technical services can vary widely in cost depending on factors like the number of personnel, required expertise, geographic location, and specific regulatory environment. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the government has negotiated a ceiling cost, which is a positive indicator for cost control.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of IHRC, Incorporated's performance under this task order?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics for evaluating IHRC, Incorporated's performance. However, for a contract focused on 'Office Laboratory Safety Workstream Support,' typical KPIs would likely include adherence to safety regulations and standards, reduction in safety incidents or near misses, successful completion of safety audits and inspections, effectiveness of safety training programs, timely reporting and documentation, and overall client satisfaction from the FDA. The agency would monitor these metrics to ensure the contractor is meeting the objectives outlined in the statement of work and contributing to a safe laboratory environment. The firm fixed-price contract structure implies that meeting these performance standards is crucial for the contractor to achieve profitability.

What is the historical spending pattern for laboratory safety support services by the FDA or HHS?

The provided data snippet focuses on a single task order and does not offer historical spending patterns for laboratory safety support services by the FDA or HHS. To analyze historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for contracts awarded under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541990, or more specific codes if available) and keywords related to 'laboratory safety,' 'environmental health and safety,' or 'biosafety' within the FDA and HHS. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, durations, awardees, and competition levels over time, providing context for the current $2.72 million task order and identifying potential increases or decreases in investment in this area.

What level of risk is associated with this contract, considering the contractor's track record and the nature of the services?

Assessing the risk level requires information not present in the provided data, specifically IHRC, Incorporated's past performance record and any specific risk factors associated with laboratory safety support. Generally, contracts involving safety and regulatory compliance carry inherent risks if not managed properly. The firm fixed-price nature of this contract shifts financial risk to the contractor, which can be beneficial for the government. However, risks related to performance, such as failure to meet safety standards or provide adequate support, remain. The long duration (over 5 years) also introduces risks related to changing requirements, technological advancements, or contractor stability. A thorough risk assessment would involve reviewing IHRC's performance on previous contracts, their financial stability, and the specific challenges inherent in ensuring laboratory safety within the FDA's complex operational environment.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 RAVINIA DR STE 1200, ATLANTA, GA, 30346

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,721,399

Exercised Options: $2,721,399

Current Obligation: $2,721,399

Actual Outlays: $1,937,106

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75F40120D00043

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline