HHS FDA Awards $4.97M for Sentinel 3.0 PMO Support to Biswas IT Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,972,003 ($5.0M)

Contractor: Biswas Information Technology Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-09-27

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 732 days

Daily Burn Rate: $6.8K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (PMO) CONTRACT FOR SENTINEL 3.0 THAT WILL PROVIDE PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS INFORMATICS SUPPORT SERVICES. TASK ORDER #1

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20170

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $5.0 million to BISWAS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (PMO) CONTRACT FOR SENTINEL 3.0 THAT WILL PROVIDE PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS INFORMATICS SUPPORT SERVICES. TASK ORDER #1 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Biswas Information Technology Solutions Inc. for program management and business informatics support. 2. The contract is a Time and Materials type, valued at $4.97 million. 3. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a streamlined process. 4. The sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, with a specific NAICS code of 541990.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Benchmarking against similar contracts for program management support is difficult without more detailed service descriptions.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

Competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) suggests a limited competition environment, potentially impacting price discovery. The award was a Delivery Order under a larger contract.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential program management and informatics support services for the FDA's Sentinel 3.0 initiative.

Public Impact

Supports the FDA's Sentinel 3.0 program, crucial for public health surveillance. Provides essential program and project management expertise. Includes business informatics support, vital for data analysis and decision-making. Contract duration is approximately two years, ensuring continuity of services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 67 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type can inflate costs.
Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best price.
Lack of detailed service scope makes cost benchmarking challenging.

Positive Signals

Supports a critical public health program (Sentinel 3.0).
Awarded to a specific IT solutions provider.
Clear end dates for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990). Spending in this sector often involves specialized expertise and can vary widely based on project complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate if Biswas Information Technology Solutions Inc. is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine the impact on small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be critical due to the Time and Materials contract type to ensure costs remain within budget and services are delivered effectively. The FDA's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Food and Drug Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials pricing.
Limited competition.
Potential for scope creep.
Lack of detailed service breakdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $5.0 million to BISWAS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC. PROGRAM MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (PMO) CONTRACT FOR SENTINEL 3.0 THAT WILL PROVIDE PROGRAM/PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND BUSINESS INFORMATICS SUPPORT SERVICES. TASK ORDER #1

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BISWAS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS INC.

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 $5.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-27. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific program management and business informatics services are included in this task order, and how do they align with Sentinel 3.0's objectives?

This task order focuses on providing program/project management and business informatics support services for the Sentinel 3.0 program. These services are essential for the effective execution, monitoring, and data-driven decision-making within the Sentinel initiative, which is critical for public health surveillance and response.

What is the potential risk of cost overruns with a Time and Materials contract for these services?

Time and Materials contracts carry a inherent risk of cost overruns because payment is based on the actual labor hours and material costs incurred. Without strict oversight, defined labor categories, and clear task boundaries, the total cost can exceed initial estimates, especially for complex or extended projects.

How effective is the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' method in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized IT support services?

Competing under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) is designed for efficiency and speed for purchases below certain thresholds. While it can be effective for routine services, it may limit the pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition, potentially impacting the level of price competition achieved for specialized IT support.

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: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 171 ELDEN ST STE 2C1, HERNDON, VA, 20170

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned 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: $9,451,032

Exercised Options: $4,972,003

Current Obligation: $4,972,003

Actual Outlays: $2,698,468

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75F40124D00068

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline