HHS FDA Awards $8.6M Contract to MPF-ZAI for Tobacco Retailer Inspection Data Review

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,687,142 ($8.7M)

Contractor: Mpf-Zai Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-09-17

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 377 days

Daily Burn Rate: $23.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOBACCO RETAILER INSPECTION DATA REVIEW

Place of Performance

Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20877

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $8.7 million to MPF-ZAI SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: TOBACCO RETAILER INSPECTION DATA REVIEW Key points: 1. Contract value of $8.6M for data review services. 2. MPF-ZAI SOLUTIONS LLC is the awardee. 3. Competition method is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. The contract duration is 377 days. 5. The sector is Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The award amount is substantial for data review services, and the benchmark for similar contracts is not readily available without further analysis.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. While this indicates competition, the exclusion of specific sources might limit the full breadth of competitive pricing discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are impacted by the $8.6M expenditure for data review services, with the ultimate value dependent on the effectiveness of the inspection data analysis.

Public Impact

Ensures compliance with tobacco regulations through data analysis. Supports public health initiatives by reviewing retailer inspection data. Potential for improved enforcement strategies based on reviewed data.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type increases cost risk.
Limited information on specific performance metrics.
Exclusion of sources in competition may impact price discovery.

Positive Signals

Full and open competition utilized.
Clear objective for data review and inspection analysis.
Defined contract period with a set end date.

Sector Analysis

The Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector encompasses a wide range of support functions for government agencies. Spending in this area is often driven by the need for specialized expertise in areas like data analysis and program management.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). This indicates that larger, established firms were likely considered or competed for this award, potentially limiting opportunities for small businesses in this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the Time and Materials contract is managed effectively to prevent cost overruns. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will need to monitor the contractor's performance closely against defined objectives.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Food and Drug Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type.
Potential for cost overruns.
Limited transparency on specific data review metrics.
Exclusion of sources in competition.
No small business awardee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $8.7 million to MPF-ZAI SOLUTIONS LLC. TOBACCO RETAILER INSPECTION DATA REVIEW

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MPF-ZAI SOLUTIONS LLC.

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 $8.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-17. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific data points are being reviewed, and how will this review directly contribute to improved tobacco retail compliance?

The contract aims to review tobacco retailer inspection data. The specific data points are not detailed, but the objective is to analyze this information to identify trends, compliance issues, and potentially inform enforcement strategies. The effectiveness will depend on the depth of analysis and the actionable insights derived, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes by ensuring retailers adhere to tobacco sales regulations.

What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for data review, and how are they being mitigated?

A primary risk of Time and Materials contracts is the potential for uncontrolled cost escalation if labor hours and material costs are not closely monitored. Mitigation strategies typically involve establishing clear labor categories, rates, and ceilings, along with rigorous oversight from the contracting officer's representative (COR) to ensure efficient work and prevent scope creep. The FDA must actively manage this contract to stay within the awarded amount.

How does the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method balance competition with specific agency needs?

This method allows for broad competition but permits the exclusion of specific sources if justified by the agency, perhaps due to unique capabilities or past performance. While it aims for a competitive environment, the exclusion might limit the pool of potential offerors and potentially impact the most competitive pricing. The agency must have a strong justification for any exclusions to ensure fairness and maximize value.

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 AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 702 RUSSELL AVE STE 440, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20877

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,687,142

Exercised Options: $8,687,142

Current Obligation: $8,687,142

Actual Outlays: $2,232,169

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75F40122D00014

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline