NIH Awards $2.98M IT Support Contract to A Square Group LLC for Business Intelligence Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,976,682 ($3.0M)
Contractor: A Square Group LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-01-25
End Date: 2027-01-24
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.2K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: NIMH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND REPORTING (BIR) SERVICES CONTRACT. 01/25/2026 - 01/24/2027.
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.0 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC for work described as: NIMH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND REPORTING (BIR) SERVICES CONTRACT. 01/25/2026 - 01/24/2027. Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.98 million for one year of IT support. 2. A Square Group LLC is the awardee, specializing in Computer Systems Design Services. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 4. This award falls within the IT sector, specifically for business intelligence and reporting.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.98 million for a one-year term appears reasonable for specialized IT support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for business intelligence and reporting services would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award suggests that taxpayer funds are being used efficiently, with pricing likely driven by market forces rather than limited options.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of critical business intelligence and reporting systems for NIH. Supports data-driven decision-making within the National Institutes of Health. Provides specialized IT services to a key federal health research agency.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 81 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition
- Firm fixed price contract type
- Clear statement of work for IT support
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Information Technology sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and business intelligence services. Spending in this area is crucial for federal agencies to manage and analyze vast amounts of data for research and operational efficiency.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, A Square Group LLC, is not identified as a small business in the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was considered or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, specifically the National Institutes of Health. Standard federal procurement oversight processes would apply to ensure performance and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Computer Systems Design Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- National Institutes of Health Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep with firm fixed price contract
- Vendor performance history not detailed
- Small business participation not explicitly stated
Tags
computer-systems-design-services, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.0 million to A SQUARE GROUP LLC. NIMH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT, BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE AND REPORTING (BIR) SERVICES CONTRACT. 01/25/2026 - 01/24/2027.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A SQUARE GROUP 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 $3.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-01-25. End: 2027-01-24.
What is the historical performance of A Square Group LLC on similar government contracts?
Assessing A Square Group LLC's past performance on comparable government contracts is crucial for understanding their reliability and capability. Reviewing past performance evaluations, on-time delivery records, and client satisfaction feedback can provide insights into their ability to meet the requirements of this new contract, mitigating potential risks associated with vendor performance.
Are there any potential risks associated with the firm fixed price contract type for these services?
While firm fixed price contracts offer cost certainty, they can pose risks if the scope of work is not precisely defined or if unforeseen technical challenges arise. If the vendor underestimates the effort required, they may incur losses, potentially impacting their motivation or ability to deliver quality services. Conversely, if the government's needs change significantly, contract modifications could lead to cost increases.
How effectively will these business intelligence services support NIH's research and operational goals?
The effectiveness of these business intelligence services hinges on their ability to provide accurate, timely, and actionable insights that directly support NIH's mission. This includes facilitating data analysis for research projects, improving operational efficiency, and enabling better-informed strategic decisions. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms will be essential to ensure the services align with and contribute to achieving NIH's overarching goals.
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 - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: C-121782
Offers Received: 14
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6237 EXECUTIVE BLVD, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,997,900
Exercised Options: $2,976,682
Current Obligation: $2,976,682
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75N98120D00007
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-01-25
Current End Date: 2027-01-24
Potential End Date: 2031-07-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-02
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