Scitech Services Inc. awarded $1.38M BPA Call for administrative support to NIH's NIDCR

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $138,105 ($138.1K)

Contractor: Scitech Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-12

End Date: 2027-04-11

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $379/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) FOR THE NIDCR - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $138,105 to SCITECH SERVICES INC for work described as: SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) FOR THE NIDCR - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-established agreement for services. 2. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) are the primary focus. 3. The contract has a firm-fixed-price structure, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. Duration of 364 days suggests a short-term or task-specific need. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a broad solicitation process. 6. Scitech Services Inc. is the awarded contractor. 7. The contract is for administrative assistant services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $1.38 million for a 364-day period for administrative assistant services appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar administrative support contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks. Without specific details on the number of administrative hours or specific tasks, a definitive value comparison is challenging, but the overall award amount is within typical ranges for such services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings for the government. The use of a BPA Call indicates that a broader contract vehicle was already in place, and this specific call competed for the task.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential offerors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will benefit from enhanced administrative support. Services include administrative assistant functions crucial for the smooth operation of NIDCR's research and administrative activities. The primary geographic impact is within Maryland, where the contract is managed and likely performed. The contract supports administrative roles, potentially impacting the federal workforce by filling essential support positions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if administrative tasks are not clearly defined within the BPA Call.
Reliance on a single contractor for administrative support could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
The firm-fixed-price nature requires careful monitoring to ensure all required services are delivered within the agreed price.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive process that likely yielded a fair price.
Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty and limits the government's financial exposure.
The use of a BPA Call indicates a streamlined procurement process for pre-vetted services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is a significant component of federal contracting, supporting a wide array of government functions. The market for administrative support services is generally competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing these essential functions. The award to Scitech Services Inc. for administrative assistant services is consistent with broader government spending trends in support of research institutions like the NIH.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities, which are not detailed in the provided information. The absence of a small business set-aside suggests that the competition was open to all eligible businesses, including large and small enterprises.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the NIDCR. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Support Services
Professional and Management Consulting Services
National Institutes of Health Contracts
Department of Health and Human Services Contracts
Blanket Purchase Agreements

Risk Flags

Potential for performance issues not fully captured by past performance data.
Risk of scope creep if administrative tasks are not precisely defined.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $138,105 to SCITECH SERVICES INC. SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT SERVICES BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) FOR THE NIDCR - ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SCITECH SERVICES 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 $138,105.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-12. End: 2027-04-11.

What is the track record of Scitech Services Inc. in performing similar administrative support contracts for federal agencies?

A comprehensive review of Scitech Services Inc.'s past performance would involve examining their contract history, including awards, past performance evaluations, and any reported issues or disputes. Federal procurement data systems often contain information on contractor performance. For this specific contract, understanding their experience with administrative assistant services, particularly within a research-intensive environment like the NIH, would be crucial. Agencies typically assess past performance as a key factor in award decisions. Without access to detailed performance reviews for Scitech Services Inc., it's difficult to definitively assess their track record, but the award itself suggests they met the agency's requirements for this BPA Call.

How does the awarded amount of $1.38 million for 364 days of administrative assistant services compare to market rates for similar services in Maryland?

The awarded amount of approximately $1.38 million for a year of administrative assistant services translates to roughly $3,780 per day or about $115,000 per administrative assistant annually, assuming a standard number of staff. To benchmark this against market rates in Maryland, one would typically look at salary data for administrative assistants with relevant experience, factoring in benefits, overhead, and profit margins for contracting firms. General market data suggests that experienced administrative professionals in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area (which includes Maryland) can command salaries in the $50,000-$80,000 range, plus benefits. A firm-fixed-price contract would include these costs plus the contractor's profit. The $115,000 per person figure suggests that the contract likely covers multiple administrative assistants or includes significant overhead and profit, which would need further analysis against specific task requirements and service levels to determine true value.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks for this contract include potential performance deficiencies by the contractor, scope creep beyond the defined administrative assistant duties, and over-reliance on a single vendor. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract oversight by the government, clear definition of tasks and deliverables within the BPA Call, and regular performance reviews. The firm-fixed-price structure inherently mitigates financial risk for the government, as the cost is predetermined. However, ensuring the contractor meets all service level agreements and quality standards is paramount. The government's ability to address performance issues through contractual remedies or by seeking alternative support is also a mitigating factor.

What is the historical spending pattern for administrative support services at NIDCR or NIH?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for administrative support at NIDCR and NIH would involve reviewing past contract awards for similar services over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured (e.g., administrative assistants, program support, clerical), contracting methods (e.g., sole source, full and open competition), and the contractors frequently utilized. Understanding these patterns helps in assessing whether the current $1.38 million award is consistent with past investments, potentially indicating stable or increasing needs for administrative support. Significant deviations from historical spending could warrant further investigation into the drivers of change, such as new initiatives, program expansions, or shifts in resource allocation.

How does the classification of 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611) align with the described 'Administrative Assistant Services'?

The NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' is a broad category. While 'administrative assistant services' might seem more clerical, they often fall under the umbrella of management support, especially when they involve assisting program managers, researchers, or administrative officers in organizing workflows, managing schedules, preparing reports, and facilitating communication. These functions are integral to the effective management and operation of an organization. Therefore, classifying administrative assistant services under this NAICS code is plausible if the roles involve tasks that support management functions, decision-making processes, or the overall administrative efficiency of the NIDCR.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2129 PULASKI HWY STE 100, HAVRE DE GRACE, MD, 21078

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $138,105

Exercised Options: $138,105

Current Obligation: $138,105

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N92022A00006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline