HHS awards $17K for hotel services to BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC, with no competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $17,130 ($17.1K)

Contractor: BLT Fund9 Bethesdan, LLC

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: Other

Official Description: POTS 26-004598 HOTEL INVOICES IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT RELATED TRAVEL REFERENCE 33734

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20814

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $17,130.4 to BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC for work described as: POTS 26-004598 HOTEL INVOICES IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT RELATED TRAVEL REFERENCE 33734 Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to the lack of competition and limited scope. 2. Competition dynamics show a sole-source award, raising concerns about price discovery. 3. Risk indicators include the sole-source nature and short performance period. 4. Performance context is limited to a single day of hotel services. 5. Sector positioning is within the hospitality industry, supporting government travel needs.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $17,130.40 for a single day of hotel services appears high when benchmarked against typical per-diem rates for government travel. Without a detailed breakdown of services or comparison to similar bulk hotel bookings for government personnel, it's challenging to definitively assess value. The lack of competition further complicates a robust value assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. The data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting it may have been awarded without seeking multiple bids. This approach limits the government's ability to explore different pricing options and potentially secure a more favorable rate.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition means taxpayers may not have received the benefit of a lower price that could have been achieved through a competitive bidding process.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include government personnel requiring lodging for patient-related travel. Services delivered are hotel accommodations. Geographic impact is localized to Maryland, specifically Bethesda. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to hotel staff at the awarded establishment.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition limits price negotiation and potential savings.
Short duration and single-day service may indicate a specific, potentially urgent need that bypassed standard procurement.
Absence of small business subcontracting goals.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a specific entity, potentially for a pre-identified need.
Clear end date for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the broader hospitality and lodging sector, specifically serving government travel needs. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 721110 categorizes Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels. Government spending in this sector often involves per-diem rate agreements or direct bookings for official travel, with significant annual outlays across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC, does not provide specific information regarding its size status, but the lack of set-aside suggests it was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the Department of Health and Human Services' internal procurement and financial management systems. Given the small dollar amount and short duration, it may not trigger specific Inspector General reviews unless flagged for impropriety. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of public justification beyond the basic award notice.

Related Government Programs

Government Lodging Contracts
Travel and Transportation Services
Healthcare Support Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
High cost per day (potential)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $17,130.4 to BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC. POTS 26-004598 HOTEL INVOICES IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT RELATED TRAVEL REFERENCE 33734

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, 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 $17,130.4.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific patient-related travel necessitated this hotel booking?

The provided data indicates the hotel invoice is 'IN SUPPORT OF PATIENT RELATED TRAVEL'. However, the specific nature of this travel, such as the number of patients, the duration of their stay beyond the single day noted in the contract, or the medical context, is not detailed. This lack of specificity makes it difficult to fully understand the necessity and scope of the services procured. Further information would be required from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to clarify the exact circumstances and justification for this particular booking.

How does the $17,130.40 cost compare to standard per diem rates for Bethesda, MD?

The total award of $17,130.40 for a single day of hotel services is exceptionally high if it represents a rate for a single room or a small number of rooms. Standard federal per diem rates for Bethesda, MD, typically range from $150-$250 per night for lodging, depending on the season and specific government-designated rates. An award of this magnitude for one day suggests either a very large block of rooms was booked, or the cost includes significant additional services not detailed in the award notice. Without a breakdown of the number of rooms or specific services included, a direct comparison to per diem rates is not meaningful.

What are the risks associated with a sole-source award for hotel services?

Sole-source awards for services like hotel accommodations carry several risks. Primarily, the government forgoes the opportunity to achieve better pricing through competition, potentially leading to overpayment. It also limits transparency in the procurement process, making it harder to justify the expenditure to taxpayers. Furthermore, it can create a perception of favoritism or a lack of diligence in seeking the best value. In this specific case, the lack of competition for a service that is generally widely available raises questions about the necessity of this procurement method.

What is the track record of BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC in government contracting?

Information regarding the specific track record of BLT FUND9 BETHESDAN, LLC in government contracting is not readily available within the provided data snippet. The award is a single purchase order. To assess their track record, one would need to search federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous contracts awarded to this entity, examining their performance history, types of services provided, and overall value of past awards. Without this external data, it's impossible to comment on their established performance with the government.

What does the short contract duration (0 days) imply?

A contract duration of 0 days, as indicated in the data, is unusual and likely signifies that the 'end date' listed (2026-04-10) refers to the completion of a single-day service or the delivery date for the invoiced services, rather than a period of performance. This suggests a one-time need or a very short-term requirement, possibly for immediate lodging. It implies that the service was rendered and paid for within a very compressed timeframe, potentially on or around the specified end date.

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: 8120 WISCONSIN AVE, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $17,130

Exercised Options: $17,130

Current Obligation: $17,130

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline