HHS awards $224K contract for scientific consulting, with a 728-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,400 ($22.4K)

Contractor: Tatsiana Kukhta

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-06-02

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 728 days

Daily Burn Rate: $31/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TATSIANA KUKHTA:1369224 [25-021619]

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $22,400 to TATSIANA KUKHTA for work described as: TATSIANA KUKHTA:1369224 [25-021619] Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized scientific consulting services. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 3. Long duration of 728 days indicates a sustained need for services. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying a focus on smaller value procurements. 5. No indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting. 6. Services fall under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $224,000 over approximately two years is modest. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar consulting services would require more detailed information on the scope of work. However, the firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP is designed to encourage competition among qualified sources.

Taxpayer Impact: Competition under SAP aims to secure competitive pricing for smaller procurements, potentially leading to cost savings for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from specialized scientific consulting. Services likely support research, development, or administrative functions within NIH. Geographic impact is likely concentrated around NIH facilities, though remote work is possible. Workforce implications are minimal, as this is a contract for external services.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed scope of work makes it difficult to assess performance risks.
Limited transparency on the specific expertise required for the consulting services.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks.
Competition under SAP suggests an effort to obtain fair market value.
Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing requirement.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically consulting. This sector is broad and encompasses a wide range of expertise. The value of this contract is relatively small within the overall federal spending on scientific consulting, which can range from highly specialized R&D support to general administrative consulting.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any small business set-aside or subcontracting requirements for this contract. Therefore, its direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not specified, and it does not appear to be a targeted initiative for small business growth.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program officials within the National Institutes of Health. As a Purchase Order awarded under SAP, it may have less formal documentation requirements than larger contracts, but accountability for deliverables and performance is still expected.

Related Government Programs

Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Research and Development Support Services
Health Services Contracting

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed scope of work
Unspecified number of bidders
Limited information on contractor past performance

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $22,400 to TATSIANA KUKHTA. TATSIANA KUKHTA:1369224 [25-021619]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TATSIANA KUKHTA.

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 $22,400.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-02. End: 2027-05-31.

What specific scientific or technical expertise is required under this contract?

The provided data indicates the NAICS code is 541690, 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.' This is a broad category. Without access to the specific contract statement of work (SOW) or task order, the precise nature of the consulting services remains undefined. It could range from highly specialized scientific research support, data analysis, regulatory compliance consulting, to program management advice within the National Institutes of Health. Further details on the SOW are necessary to understand the exact expertise being procured.

How does the $224,000 award compare to typical spending on similar consulting services by NIH?

The $224,000 award for a 728-day period represents a modest investment for the National Institutes of Health. NIH's overall budget is in the tens of billions of dollars, and spending on consulting services can vary significantly. Contracts for specialized scientific consulting can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars depending on the complexity, duration, and expertise required. This particular award appears to be on the lower end for sustained consulting support, suggesting a focused or limited scope of work, or perhaps a specific project phase.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'Firm Fixed Price' contract for consulting services?

A Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract aims to provide cost certainty for the government. The primary risk for the government in an FFP consulting contract is that the contractor may overcharge for the services if the price is not well-benchmarked or if the scope is not clearly defined, leading to reduced value for money. Conversely, the risk for the contractor is underpricing the work, which could lead to quality compromises or financial losses if unforeseen complexities arise. Effective oversight and a well-defined SOW are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does 'Competed Under SAP' imply about the procurement process and potential outcomes?

'Competed Under SAP' means the contract was awarded using Simplified Acquisition Procedures, typically for purchases between $3,000 and $250,000. This process is designed to be more efficient and less burdensome than full-scale competitive bidding for smaller procurements. It generally involves soliciting quotes from multiple sources, though the number of sources and the formality of the competition may be less than for larger contracts. This approach aims to balance efficiency with achieving fair and reasonable prices.

Are there any indications of contractor performance history or past performance evaluations available for TATSIANA KUKHTA?

The provided data snippet does not include information on the contractor's past performance history or any associated ratings or evaluations. Federal agencies typically maintain past performance information, often accessible through systems like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). To assess the contractor's track record, one would need to consult these official databases or request relevant performance data from the awarding agency, the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: GINTOVTA STR. 18, MINSK

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,400

Exercised Options: $22,400

Current Obligation: $22,400

Actual Outlays: $5,660

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline