HHS awards $19.5K for NIH meeting services, highlighting short-term lodging and AV needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,457 ($19.5K)

Contractor: BLT Fund9 Bethesdan, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-10-15

End Date: 2023-10-20

Contract Duration: 5 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.9K/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: LODGING, MEETING SPACE, AND AV FOR NIH PEER REVIEW MEETING.

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $19,457.25 to BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC for work described as: LODGING, MEETING SPACE, AND AV FOR NIH PEER REVIEW MEETING. Key points: 1. Contract value is modest, suggesting a focus on specific, short-term service delivery. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract type (BPA Call) warrant further examination for potential cost efficiencies. 3. Performance risk appears low given the short duration and specific service requirements. 4. The contract aligns with NIH's need for logistical support for peer review meetings. 5. Spending in the 'Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels' sector is common for federal meeting support.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $19,457.25 for 5 days of lodging, meeting space, and AV is reasonable for a specialized federal meeting. Benchmarking against similar short-term event support contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process was utilized for this award. While specific details on the number of bidders are not provided, SAP generally encourages broad participation within its thresholds. This suggests a reasonable level of competition was sought for the service.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under SAP aims to secure competitive pricing, potentially leading to cost savings for taxpayers compared to non-competitive awards.

Public Impact

NIH researchers and reviewers benefit from facilitated peer review meetings. Essential services including lodging, meeting space, and audio-visual equipment are delivered. The geographic impact is localized to Bethesda, Maryland, where the meeting likely took place. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving support staff for the event.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed competition metrics (number of bids) limits full assessment of price discovery.
Potential for uncaptured efficiencies if similar needs arise frequently and could be consolidated.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive process (SAP).
Firm-fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risk.
Short duration and specific service scope reduce performance complexity.
Contract aligns with agency operational needs for scientific review.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the hospitality and event services sector, a common area for federal spending to support meetings, conferences, and training. The market includes numerous providers capable of delivering lodging, meeting facilities, and AV equipment. Federal agencies often utilize such services to convene stakeholders for critical functions like peer review.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not explicitly detailed for this BPA Call. However, the use of SAP often provides opportunities for small businesses to participate in federal contracting. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the bidding or performance.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract was awarded under the Department of Health and Human Services, which has established oversight mechanisms for its procurements. As a competed award under SAP, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and agency oversight. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance monitoring details are not provided here.

Related Government Programs

NIH Meeting Support Services
Federal Lodging Contracts
Event and Conference Services
BPA Call Awards

Risk Flags

Limited detail on specific performance metrics.
Potential for uncaptured economies of scale if similar needs are procured individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $19,457.25 to BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC. LODGING, MEETING SPACE, AND AV FOR NIH PEER REVIEW MEETING.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, 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 $19,457.25.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-15. End: 2023-10-20.

What is the typical cost range for similar NIH peer review meeting support contracts?

Determining the typical cost range for similar NIH peer review meeting support contracts requires analyzing historical data for events of comparable size, duration, and service complexity. Factors such as location (e.g., proximity to NIH facilities), specific AV requirements, and the number of attendees significantly influence pricing. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it's challenging to provide a precise benchmark. However, the awarded amount of approximately $19.5K for a 5-day event suggests a moderate expenditure, likely reflecting a competitive bid for a defined scope of services. Agencies often use Blanket Purchase Agreements (BPAs) or task orders against existing IDIQs to streamline procurement for recurring needs like this, which can sometimes lead to better pricing through established relationships and volume.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what does that indicate about competition?

The provided data indicates that the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' and had 3 bidders. Competition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) is generally considered beneficial for price discovery, especially when multiple bids are received. With three distinct offers, the government had options to compare pricing and service offerings, increasing the likelihood of obtaining a fair and reasonable price. While more bidders could potentially drive prices lower, three offers typically represent a healthy level of competition for procurements within the SAP threshold. This suggests that the award was likely made to the offeror providing the best value, considering both price and other factors deemed important by the agency.

What is the track record of BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC with federal contracts?

BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC has been awarded federal contracts, including this specific BPA Call from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their complete federal contract history, looking at the types of services provided, contract values, performance ratings (if available), and any history of protests or disputes. A review of public contract databases would reveal the extent of their experience with government agencies. For this particular contract, the award was made under a competitive process, suggesting the agency found their proposal acceptable. However, a comprehensive understanding of their reliability and past performance would require a broader analysis of their contract portfolio.

Are there any identified risks associated with this specific contract award?

The primary risks associated with this contract appear to be minimal, given its nature. The contract is for a short duration (5 days) and involves well-defined services (lodging, meeting space, AV). The firm-fixed-price structure inherently mitigates financial risk for the government, as the price is set upfront. Performance risk is also likely low due to the specific and limited scope. Potential risks could include minor logistical issues or AV malfunctions, but these are typical for event support and are generally manageable. The competitive nature of the award also reduces the risk of overpayment or poor value. No significant red flags are immediately apparent from the provided data.

How does this spending compare to overall federal spending on lodging and meeting services?

This contract's value of approximately $19.5K is a very small fraction of the overall federal spending on lodging and meeting services. Federal agencies collectively spend billions annually on travel, conferences, and meetings, which encompass lodging, venue rentals, and audiovisual support. This specific award represents a micro-level expenditure for a single, short-term event. While it's a necessary expense for the NIH's operational needs, it does not represent a significant trend or a large portion of the government's total outlay in this category. Benchmarking this against other similar small-scale event contracts would be more relevant than comparing it to the entirety of federal spending in this broad category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Accommodation and Food Services › Traveler Accommodation › Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels

Product/Service Code: LEASE/RENT FACILITIES › LEASE/RENTAL OF BUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8120 WISCONSIN AVE, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,457

Exercised Options: $19,457

Current Obligation: $19,457

Actual Outlays: $19,457

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98022A00043

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline