NIH spends $32,411 on hotel services for patient travel, awarded via purchase order

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $32,411 ($32.4K)

Contractor: THE Children's INN AT NIH Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-04-10

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: HOTEL INVOICES IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT RELATED TRAVEL REFERENCE 1345

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $32,411.36 to THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH INC for work described as: HOTEL INVOICES IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT RELATED TRAVEL REFERENCE 1345 Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess without a competitive benchmark. 2. The contract was not competed, raising questions about price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are low given the short duration and fixed price. 4. Performance context is limited to supporting patient travel. 5. This contract falls within the hospitality sector for healthcare support services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $32,411.36 for hotel services appears reasonable for patient travel support, but without a competitive process, it's challenging to benchmark against market rates or similar contracts. The fixed-price nature of the award provides cost certainty for this specific service. Further analysis would require comparing rates to government lodging per diems or other negotiated rates for similar patient support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a purchase order and was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). The lack of competition suggests that either there was a specific reason for direct award, such as a pre-existing relationship or a unique requirement, or that the opportunity for broader competition was missed. The sole-source nature limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to achieve the best possible pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not have received the most competitive pricing due to the absence of a bidding process. This could result in a higher overall cost compared to what might have been achieved through open competition.

Public Impact

Patients receiving medical treatment at NIH facilities benefit from covered lodging. The service provided is accommodation for patients and potentially their escorts. The geographic impact is localized to Maryland, where The Children's Inn is located. There are no direct workforce implications as this is a service contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency on the selection of this specific vendor.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Service directly supports patient care needs.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader hospitality and lodging sector, specifically serving the healthcare support niche. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 721110, 'Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels,' categorizes this service. Spending in this area is often driven by the needs of government agencies requiring accommodation for beneficiaries, such as patients undergoing treatment, as is the case with NIH. Benchmarking would typically involve comparing rates to government per diem rates or other contracts for similar patient lodging services.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to 'THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH INC' and does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements. The direct award to a specific entity means there are no immediate implications for the broader small business ecosystem related to this particular procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health. As a purchase order, it is subject to internal agency procurement policies and financial controls. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, and specific accountability measures would be detailed in the contract terms, though not provided here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH Patient Travel Services
Government Lodging Contracts
Healthcare Support Services

Risk Flags

Lack of Competition
Potential for Overpricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $32,411.36 to THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH INC. HOTEL INVOICES IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT RELATED TRAVEL REFERENCE 1345

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH 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 $32,411.36.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-10.

What is the track record of THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH INC in supporting government contracts, particularly for patient travel?

Information regarding THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH INC's specific track record with government contracts, especially for patient travel, is not detailed in the provided data. As a non-profit organization, its primary mission is to provide housing and support for families with children undergoing treatment at the NIH. While it has a strong relationship with NIH, its history as a government contractor in the traditional sense (i.e., bidding on competitive solicitations) is not evident from this single purchase order. Further research into federal procurement databases or the organization's own reporting might reveal more about its past performance and any other government agreements it may hold.

How does the awarded amount compare to typical government per diem rates for lodging in the Maryland area?

The provided data does not include the specific nightly rate or the number of nights covered by the $32,411.36 award, making a direct comparison to government per diem rates difficult. However, the total amount suggests a significant number of room nights or a higher-than-average nightly rate, depending on the duration. Government per diem rates for lodging in Maryland vary by location and season, typically ranging from $100 to $200 per night for standard accommodations. If this contract covered an extended period or multiple rooms, the total could be justified. Without the breakdown of nights and rates, a definitive value assessment against per diem is not possible.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for patient lodging services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for patient lodging services include the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition, reduced incentive for the vendor to provide exceptional service or value, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost than necessary. Furthermore, if the chosen vendor fails to meet expectations or experiences operational issues, the government has limited recourse without a competitive bidding process to identify alternative providers quickly. This can also create a dependency on a single supplier, which can be problematic if circumstances change.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in supporting NIH patient care?

The effectiveness of this contract in supporting NIH patient care is expected to be high, assuming THE CHILDREN'S INN AT NIH INC provides reliable and comfortable lodging. The service directly addresses a critical need for patients and their families who are often far from home and undergoing intensive medical treatment. By covering accommodation costs, the contract alleviates a significant financial and logistical burden, allowing patients to focus on their health. The success hinges on the quality of the accommodation and the proximity to NIH facilities, which are likely key factors in the vendor's selection, even if sole-sourced.

What has been the historical spending pattern for patient-related travel lodging at NIH?

The provided data only includes a single instance of spending ($32,411.36) for hotel invoices supporting patient-related travel. There is no historical spending data available within this dataset to analyze patterns. To understand historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) over multiple fiscal years, looking at the total amounts, contract types, and vendors. This would reveal trends in volume, cost, and the prevalence of competitive versus sole-source awards for such services.

Are there any specific performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this purchase order?

The provided data for this purchase order does not specify any performance metrics or service level agreements (SLAs). Typically, purchase orders, especially for services like lodging, would include terms related to room quality, availability, check-in/check-out procedures, and potentially cancellation policies. However, without the full contract documentation, it's impossible to confirm the presence or absence of detailed SLAs. The fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of service, but the specifics of performance expectations and how they are measured or enforced are not detailed here.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRAVEL, LODGING, RECRUITMENT SVCS

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

Address: 7 WEST DR, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $32,411

Exercised Options: $32,411

Current Obligation: $32,411

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline