HHS awards $131K purchase order to TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC for specialty trade contracting in Maryland

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $131,261 ($131.3K)

Contractor: TOP of the Line Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-06-22

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 830 days

Daily Burn Rate: $158/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TOP OF LINE LLC:1169417 [24-005283]

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $131,261.45 to TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC for work described as: TOP OF LINE LLC:1169417 [24-005283] Key points: 1. Contract awarded as a purchase order, suggesting a need for immediate or specific services. 2. The contract is for 'All Other Specialty Trade Contractors,' a broad category indicating diverse potential applications. 3. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the specific value is relatively small. 4. Awarded to a single vendor, raising questions about competition and potential for better pricing. 5. The contract duration is over two years, indicating a sustained need for the services. 6. Geographic location is Maryland, potentially serving a specific federal facility or regional need.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $131,261.45 is modest. Without more specific details on the services rendered, it is difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. However, as a purchase order for specialty trade contracting, the price appears to be within a reasonable range for a two-year engagement, assuming the scope of work is well-defined and the contractor's overhead is managed efficiently. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' indicating a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This means only one vendor was solicited or deemed capable of fulfilling the requirement. While this can be efficient for specific needs, it limits price discovery and may not result in the most cost-effective outcome for the government compared to a fully competed contract with multiple bidders.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers as competition is absent, and the government may not benefit from the most innovative or cost-saving solutions offered by a broader market.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), likely through its National Institutes of Health (NIH) component, receiving specialized trade services. Services delivered fall under the broad category of 'All Other Specialty Trade Contractors,' which could include maintenance, repair, minor construction, or specialized installations. The geographic impact is localized to Maryland (ST: MD), suggesting services are provided at a specific federal site or facility within the state. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving the direct employees of TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC, rather than a broad public employment impact.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price.
The broad 'specialty trade contractor' category makes it difficult to assess if the specific services align with the awarded value without further detail.
Awarding a purchase order without competition might indicate a rushed procurement or a lack of planning for competitive sourcing.

Positive Signals

The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract is awarded to a registered entity, TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC, implying adherence to basic business and registration requirements.
The contract duration of over two years suggests a stable, ongoing need that has been identified and planned for, albeit through a non-competitive process.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broad 'Construction' or 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sectors, specifically under specialty trade contracting. This sector encompasses a wide range of skilled trades essential for maintaining and operating federal facilities. The market size for specialty trade contractors is substantial, with numerous small and medium-sized businesses providing these services. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal spending in this area, which often involves larger construction and renovation projects.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to be a small business set-aside, as the 'sb' field is false. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC, without further information on its size classification, means its direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem is unclear. However, the lack of a set-aside suggests larger businesses or those not specifically designated as small may also be eligible for similar contracts.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services, likely the National Institutes of Health, which awarded the contract. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of detailed public information. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Supply Schedule contracts for trades and labor.
Other agency-specific contracts for facilities maintenance and repair.
Construction and renovation contracts managed by agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers or Public Buildings Service.

Risk Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Broad service category lacks specificity for detailed value assessment.
Contractor's past performance data is not available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $131,261.45 to TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC. TOP OF LINE LLC:1169417 [24-005283]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $131,261.45.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-22. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific services are included under 'All Other Specialty Trade Contractors' for this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact services. 'All Other Specialty Trade Contractors' is a broad North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code (238990) that encompasses establishments primarily engaged in specialized construction activities not elsewhere classified. This could include activities such as foundation work, concrete contractors, structural steel erection, masonry, stonework, roofing, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, electrical, and other specialty trade work. Without a detailed statement of work (SOW) or contract line item numbers (CLINs), it's impossible to determine the precise nature of the services provided to HHS/NIH under this $131,261.45 purchase order.

Why was this contract awarded on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates the contract was awarded under 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which typically signifies a sole-source justification. Common reasons for sole-source awards include unique capabilities of the contractor, urgent and compelling needs where competition is impractical, or when only one responsible source is available. For this specific contract, the reason for the sole-source award is not detailed in the provided data. Further investigation into the contract file or agency justifications would be required to understand the specific rationale behind not competing this requirement.

How does the $131,261.45 value compare to typical specialty trade contracts?

The value of $131,261.45 for a two-year specialty trade contract is relatively modest. Federal contracts for specialty trades can range from small purchase orders for minor repairs to multi-million dollar contracts for large-scale facility maintenance or construction projects. This particular award suggests a need for specific, perhaps recurring, specialized services rather than a large capital project. Benchmarking requires detailed knowledge of the specific services, location, and duration, but this value is not exceptionally high for a contract spanning over two years.

What is the track record of TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC with the federal government?

The provided data identifies TOP OF THE LINE SERVICES, LLC as the contractor and indicates this is a purchase order award from HHS/NIH. However, it does not offer details on the company's past performance, contract history, or track record with the federal government. To assess their track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for previous awards, performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any reported issues. Without this additional information, it's difficult to gauge their reliability or experience.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source award for specialty trade services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. Without competing bids, the government may pay more than necessary for the services. Other risks include limited innovation, as the contractor may not be incentivized to propose cost-saving or efficiency improvements. Furthermore, if the sole-source contractor underperforms or fails to deliver, the government may face significant challenges in finding a replacement quickly, especially if the services are highly specialized or critical to operations.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Purchase Order'?

A purchase order (PO) is a common document used for relatively small-dollar acquisitions, often for commercial items or services. In the federal context, POs are typically used for simplified acquisitions, often below the micro-purchase threshold or within the simplified acquisition threshold, though they can be used for larger amounts under specific circumstances. Awarding this contract as a PO suggests it might be for readily available services or supplies, potentially acquired quickly. It also implies a less formal procurement process compared to a traditional contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Construction › Other Specialty Trade Contractors › All Other Specialty Trade Contractors

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 17725 TWIST CT, DUMFRIES, VA, 22026

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $131,261

Exercised Options: $131,261

Current Obligation: $131,261

Actual Outlays: $87,082

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline