HHS awards $2.38M contract to Flywheel Data LLC for computer services, with a 3-year term

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,377,694 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Flywheel Data LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2024-04-02

End Date: 2027-04-01

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: FLYWHEEL DATA LLC:1323166 [24-001377]

Place of Performance

Location: ARLINGTON, ARLINGTON County, VIRGINIA, 22201

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $2.4 million to FLYWHEEL DATA LLC for work described as: FLYWHEEL DATA LLC:1323166 [24-001377] Key points: 1. Contract value of $2.38 million over three years suggests a moderate investment in specialized IT services. 2. The 'Other Computer Related Services' category indicates a need for flexible, potentially niche, IT support. 3. A firm-fixed-price contract type aims to control costs by setting a predetermined price for services. 4. The contract duration of 1094 days (approx. 3 years) allows for sustained support and project continuity. 5. Awarded by the National Institutes of Health, this contract likely supports critical research or administrative functions. 6. The presence of 3 bids indicates some level of competition, potentially leading to a reasonable price point.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.38 million over three years for 'Other Computer Related Services' appears reasonable given the duration and the nature of IT support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized computer services by agencies like NIH would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure suggests an effort to manage costs effectively, but the specific unit costs or service rates are not detailed here. Without more granular data on the services provided, a definitive value assessment is challenging, but the overall award size seems aligned with typical IT support contracts of this scope.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The fact that three bids were received suggests a moderate level of competition for this requirement. While three bidders are better than one or two, a higher number of bids would typically indicate a more robust competitive environment, potentially driving prices lower. The agency's decision to pursue full and open competition is generally a positive sign for achieving fair market prices.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition, with three bidders, suggests that taxpayers likely received a competitive price for the services rendered. This approach maximizes the opportunity for multiple companies to offer their best pricing, benefiting the government's budget.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is the primary beneficiary, likely receiving essential computer-related services to support its mission. Services delivered are expected to be in the 'Other Computer Related Services' domain, potentially encompassing IT consulting, system maintenance, or specialized software support. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational sphere of NIH, which is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, but could extend to remote support or cloud-based services. Workforce implications may include direct employment by Flywheel Data LLC and potential indirect benefits to the IT services sector supporting federal contracts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if 'Other Computer Related Services' are not clearly defined, leading to cost overruns.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical IT functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The moderate number of bidders might indicate potential barriers to entry for smaller, specialized firms in this IT niche.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad search for qualified vendors.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The 3-year duration allows for stable service delivery and relationship building with the contractor.
The contractor, Flywheel Data LLC, has secured this award, indicating they met the technical and performance requirements.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Computer Related Services' category falls within the broader Information Technology (IT) sector, a significant area of federal spending. This sector is characterized by rapid technological advancements and a constant demand for specialized expertise. Federal agencies rely heavily on IT services for everything from administrative functions to complex research and development. Comparable spending benchmarks for IT services contracts can vary widely based on specialization, duration, and agency needs, but contracts in the hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars are common for multi-year support.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by 'ss': false and 'sb': false. The award to Flywheel Data LLC, a company with a federal contract award history, suggests it may not be classified as a small business for set-aside purposes, or the requirement did not meet the criteria for a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses within this data, which could be a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the program officials within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules outlined in the contract. The Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

IT Professional Services
Computer Systems Design Services
Information Technology Support Services
Research and Development IT Support

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope in 'Other Computer Related Services'.
Moderate competition level may not guarantee the lowest possible price.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data hinders performance assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $2.4 million to FLYWHEEL DATA LLC. FLYWHEEL DATA LLC:1323166 [24-001377]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLYWHEEL DATA 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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-02. End: 2027-04-01.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Computer Related Services' being provided under this contract?

The provided data categorizes the service under NAICS code 541519, 'Other Computer Related Services.' This broad category typically encompasses services like computer facilities management, IT consulting, disaster recovery services, and specialized IT support not covered by more specific NAICS codes. Without the full contract details or performance work statement, the exact services remain unspecified. However, given the awarding agency is the National Institutes of Health (NIH), these services likely support scientific research, data management, or administrative IT infrastructure critical to the agency's mission. Further inquiry would require accessing the contract's statement of work to understand the precise deliverables and technical requirements.

How does the $2.38 million contract value compare to similar IT services contracts awarded by NIH or other health-focused federal agencies?

The $2.38 million contract value over three years for 'Other Computer Related Services' appears to be within a moderate range for federal IT support contracts. For agencies like NIH, which manage extensive research and data operations, IT services are crucial. Contracts of this size are common for providing specialized support, system maintenance, or consulting over a multi-year period. To provide a precise benchmark, one would need to compare this contract's value per year ($~793,000/year) against similar contracts for IT services with comparable durations and scopes awarded by NIH or other agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Factors such as the level of specialization required, the number of end-users supported, and the specific deliverables will influence comparability.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?

The provided data does not include specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) or Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for this contract. These critical elements are typically detailed within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). For a contract involving 'Other Computer Related Services,' potential KPIs could include system uptime percentages, response times for technical support requests, data security compliance metrics, project completion timelines, and user satisfaction ratings. The effectiveness of oversight and the contractor's accountability are directly tied to the clarity and measurability of these KPIs/SLAs. Without them, assessing the contractor's performance and the overall value derived from the contract is difficult.

What is Flywheel Data LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Health and Human Services?

Flywheel Data LLC has secured this contract with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH), indicating a successful bid and a demonstrated capability to meet federal requirements. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would reveal their complete federal contract history. This would include the total value of contracts awarded, the agencies they have served, the types of services provided, and their performance history (e.g., any past performance issues or awards). Understanding their prior experience, especially with HHS, provides insight into their reliability and expertise in delivering services relevant to this award.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'Other Computer Related Services' at NIH or HHS?

The provided data focuses on a single contract award and does not offer historical spending patterns. To analyze historical spending for 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519) at NIH or HHS, one would need to query federal procurement data over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal trends in contract values, the number of awards, the primary contractors utilized, and the specific types of services procured within this category. Understanding these patterns can help identify whether spending is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether this particular $2.38 million award represents a typical investment or a significant deviation.

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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: CS-116446-SB

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3033 WILSON BLVD, ARLINGTON, VA, 22201

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,181,605

Exercised Options: $2,377,694

Current Obligation: $2,377,694

Actual Outlays: $1,573,782

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201500067W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline