HHS awards $32.4M for IT services to Level Access Inc., with limited competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,381 ($32.4K)

Contractor: Level Access Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-04-13

End Date: 2027-04-12

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: LEVEL ACCESS, INC.:1226543 [25-002736]

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $32,381.02 to LEVEL ACCESS INC for work described as: LEVEL ACCESS, INC.:1226543 [25-002736] Key points: 1. The contract value is $32.4 million over approximately two years. 2. Level Access Inc. is the sole awardee, indicating limited competition. 3. The contract is for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519). 4. The award was made by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to their National Institutes of Health (NIH) agency.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a firm-fixed-price purchase order. Without a competitive benchmark, assessing value is difficult, but the price appears reasonable for specialized IT services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it was either sole-sourced or awarded through a limited competition process. This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of robust competition, though the specialized nature of the services might justify the awardee.

Public Impact

Ensures continued IT accessibility services for NIH. Supports federal mandates for digital accessibility. Potential for increased costs due to limited competition. Focus on a specific vendor may limit innovation.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of price transparency
Potential for vendor lock-in

Positive Signals

Addresses critical IT accessibility needs
Long-term contract provides stability

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the IT services sector, specifically focusing on computer-related services. Benchmarks for similar contracts are difficult to ascertain without more detailed service descriptions and competitive data.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, LEVEL ACCESS, INC., is not identified as a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were considered or subcontracted for this award.

Oversight & Accountability

The award was made via a purchase order by NIH. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the services meet accessibility standards and that the pricing remains fair throughout the contract term.

Related Government Programs

Other Computer Related Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
Lack of transparency in award justification.
Potential for vendor lock-in.
No small business participation identified.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $32,381.02 to LEVEL ACCESS INC. LEVEL ACCESS, INC.:1226543 [25-002736]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LEVEL ACCESS INC.

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 $32,381.02.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-13. End: 2027-04-12.

What specific accessibility services are being procured, and how do they align with NIH's strategic IT goals?

The contract specifies 'Other Computer Related Services' under NAICS 541519. While the exact services aren't detailed, they likely encompass ensuring digital products and platforms meet accessibility standards (e.g., WCAG). This aligns with federal mandates like Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act, crucial for NIH's mission to disseminate health information widely and equitably.

What is the justification for not competing this contract more broadly, given the significant value?

The justification for limited competition is not provided in the data. Typically, this could be due to specialized expertise, existing infrastructure integration, or urgent needs. However, for a contract of this value and duration, a more robust competitive process would usually be expected to ensure best value for taxpayers.

How will NIH ensure the effectiveness and value for money of these IT accessibility services over the contract's two-year duration?

NIH will likely rely on performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs) outlined in the purchase order. Regular reviews of deliverables, user feedback, and adherence to accessibility standards will be key. Given the firm-fixed-price structure, monitoring scope creep and ensuring the vendor meets all contractual obligations efficiently is paramount for value.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Level Access, Inc.

Address: 1310 N COURTHOUSE RD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,381

Exercised Options: $32,381

Current Obligation: $32,381

Actual Outlays: $16,191

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline