HHS awards $6.1M task order to TUVLI LLC for computer systems design services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,143,392 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Tuvli LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-11-06

End Date: 2026-10-31

Contract Duration: 724 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: IDIQ TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20993

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.1 million to TUVLI LLC for work described as: IDIQ TASK ORDER Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the fixed-price nature of the contract. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive pricing environment. 3. No immediate risk indicators are apparent from the provided data. 4. Performance context is for computer systems design services, a common IT requirement. 5. The contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically supporting the FDA. 6. The total award value is moderate for a task order of this duration.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, which generally provides good value by capping the government's financial exposure. Benchmarking against similar computer systems design services contracts would provide a more precise value assessment. However, the fixed-price structure suggests a focus on defined deliverables and cost control by the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' While this indicates an initial intent for broad competition, the 'after exclusion of sources' phrasing suggests specific circumstances led to limiting the pool. Further details on the exclusion criteria would clarify the extent of competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition, even with exclusions, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple bidders to offer competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential computer systems design services. These services are critical for the FDA's operational efficiency and technological infrastructure. The contract's geographic impact is likely concentrated in Maryland, where the contractor is located. The contract supports the IT workforce, potentially creating or sustaining jobs in computer systems design.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type helps control costs.
Awarded under a competitive procedure, indicating potential for good pricing.
Contract duration is defined, providing a clear performance period.

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector is a significant area of federal spending. Computer systems design services, classified under NAICS code 541512, are crucial for modernizing government IT infrastructure. Federal spending in this area often involves complex projects requiring specialized expertise. This contract represents a typical engagement for IT support within a regulatory agency like the FDA.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false for this specific contract. There is no indication of a small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements. Therefore, this contract does not appear to directly benefit the small business ecosystem through set-asides.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services' procurement and program management offices, as well as the Food and Drug Administration's contracting officers. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

IT Services Contracts
Computer Systems Design Services
Federal IT Modernization Programs
FDA IT Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to 'exclusion of sources'.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.1 million to TUVLI LLC. IDIQ TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TUVLI 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 $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-11-06. End: 2026-10-31.

What is the track record of TUVLI LLC in performing federal IT contracts?

A review of TUVLI LLC's federal contract history would be necessary to assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any reported contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous contracts awarded. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget contract completions would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a pattern of issues could raise concerns about their ability to deliver on this current task order. Without specific past performance data, it is difficult to definitively assess their reliability for this $6.1 million award.

How does the awarded amount compare to similar computer systems design services contracts?

To benchmark the value, we would compare this $6.1 million task order against other firm-fixed-price contracts for computer systems design services awarded by agencies like the FDA or HHS over the past 1-3 years. Key comparison points would include contract duration, scope of work (if discernible), and the number of bidders. If similar contracts with comparable scope and duration were awarded at significantly lower total values, it might suggest this contract is priced higher than the market average. Conversely, if the scope is complex or the duration is longer than typical, the price might be justified. The current data lacks the granularity for a precise comparison.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract?

The primary risks for this contract are related to performance and potential scope creep, common in IT projects. Given it's a firm-fixed-price contract, TUVLI LLC bears the risk of cost overruns if project requirements expand beyond the initial scope without a modification. For the government, the risk lies in receiving substandard services or delays if the contractor underperforms. The 'after exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type could indicate a risk if the exclusion was not fully justified, potentially limiting the best possible outcome. However, without more information on the specific services and TUVLI's history, these remain general IT project risks.

How effective are computer systems design services contracts in supporting agency missions?

Computer systems design services contracts are generally effective when well-defined and managed, directly supporting agency missions by enhancing IT infrastructure, improving data management, and enabling new technological capabilities. For the FDA, such services are crucial for maintaining regulatory systems, supporting research databases, and ensuring secure data handling. The effectiveness hinges on clear requirements, adequate contractor expertise, and robust government oversight. When executed properly, these contracts allow agencies to leverage specialized IT skills without the overhead of direct hiring, thereby improving operational efficiency and mission accomplishment.

What is the historical spending trend for computer systems design services at the FDA?

Analyzing historical spending trends for computer systems design services at the FDA would reveal patterns in demand, average contract values, and primary contractors. This $6.1 million task order should be viewed in the context of the FDA's overall IT budget and its historical investments in similar services. If spending in this category has been consistently high, it suggests a sustained need. If this award is significantly larger or smaller than typical awards, it might indicate a shift in strategy or a particularly large-scale project. Understanding these trends helps assess whether this contract aligns with past investment levels and priorities.

What does the 'after exclusion of sources' clause imply about the competition?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause suggests that while the contract was initially intended for broad competition, certain sources were excluded before the final award decision. This could occur for various reasons, such as specific technical requirements that only a limited number of vendors could meet, national security concerns, or prior performance issues with certain contractors. While it still implies a competitive process among the remaining eligible sources, it means the competition was not as wide as a pure 'full and open' competition. This could potentially impact the final price and the range of innovative solutions considered, depending on the justification for the exclusions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - COMPUTE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2553 DULLES VIEW DR, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,622,404

Exercised Options: $6,143,392

Current Obligation: $6,143,392

Actual Outlays: $3,805,656

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75F40122D00025

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline