HHS awarded $48,639 for specialized trucking services, raising questions about procurement process and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $48,639 ($48.6K)

Contractor: Moving Masters Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 29 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: RATIFICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED COMMITMENT NUMBER 26-004; MOVING MASTERS; $48,639.02; SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Place of Performance

Location: HYATTSVILLE, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20781

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $48,639.02 to MOVING MASTERS INC for work described as: RATIFICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED COMMITMENT NUMBER 26-004; MOVING MASTERS; $48,639.02; SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2022 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized freight trucking, indicating a need for specific logistical capabilities. 2. The contract duration spans over two years, suggesting ongoing service requirements. 3. The award was not competed, which may limit price discovery and potentially increase costs. 4. The value of the contract is relatively small, suggesting it may be for a niche or localized service. 5. The awarding agency is the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), specifically the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 6. The service falls under Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local. 7. The contract type is a Purchase Order, a common instrument for smaller value acquisitions.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Given the lack of competition, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The price of $48,639.02 for a 29-month period for specialized trucking services appears reasonable on the surface for a niche service. However, without comparable bids or market analysis, a definitive assessment of cost-effectiveness is not possible. The absence of a competitive process means potential savings for taxpayers may have been forgone.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. The specific reason for not competing the award is not detailed in the provided data. This approach bypasses the standard process of soliciting multiple bids, which can lead to less competitive pricing and potentially limit the pool of qualified vendors.

Taxpayer Impact: A non-competed award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price, as the government did not leverage competition to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the recipients of services facilitated by the National Institutes of Health, which require specialized transportation. The service delivered is specialized freight trucking, specifically for local transport. The geographic impact is localized to Maryland, where the contract is managed and likely executed. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team for the trucking service.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about fair pricing and potential for inflated costs.
Absence of detailed justification for sole-source award warrants further scrutiny.
Limited transparency in the procurement process hinders public trust and accountability.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a specific need for specialized freight services within NIH.
The award is a firm fixed-price contract, providing cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration is clearly defined, allowing for predictable service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The specialized freight trucking sector involves the transportation of goods that require specific handling, equipment, or conditions. This contract falls within the broader logistics and transportation industry, which is a critical component of government operations. Comparable spending benchmarks for specialized local trucking services can vary widely based on the nature of the goods transported and the specific requirements. Given the relatively small dollar amount, this likely represents a localized or niche service rather than a large-scale logistical operation.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. As a sole-source award of relatively modest value, its direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem is likely limited, though the prime contractor's own size and small business utilization would be relevant.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the National Institutes of Health's contracting officers and potentially the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General, especially if concerns about waste, fraud, or abuse arise. The limited value and non-competed nature suggest that oversight might be less rigorous than for larger, competed contracts, but standard procurement regulations still apply.

Related Government Programs

Federal Freight and Logistics Services
Specialized Transportation Contracts
NIH Procurement Actions
Department of Health and Human Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Procurement Irregularity (Unauthorized Commitment)
Lack of Competition
Limited Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $48,639.02 to MOVING MASTERS INC. RATIFICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED COMMITMENT NUMBER 26-004; MOVING MASTERS; $48,639.02; SEPTEMBER 1, 2020 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29, 2022

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MOVING MASTERS 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 $48,639.02.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-04-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'moving masters' service being provided?

The term 'moving masters' in the context of Contract Number 26-004 is ambiguous and likely refers to the specific type of specialized freight being transported. Without further clarification from the awarding agency (NIH), it is difficult to ascertain the exact nature of the goods. It could pertain to sensitive research materials, specialized equipment, or other items requiring careful handling and transport. The 'RATIFICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED COMMITMENT' designation suggests that the service may have been initiated without a formal, pre-approved contract, requiring subsequent official approval, which itself raises procedural questions.

Why was this contract not competed, and what was the justification for a sole-source award?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' implying a sole-source or limited competition award. The specific justification for this procurement approach is not detailed. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one vendor can provide the required goods or services due to unique capabilities, urgency, or lack of market availability. However, for specialized trucking, it is unusual not to have multiple potential providers unless there are highly specific, proprietary requirements. The 'RATIFICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED COMMITMENT' designation further suggests a deviation from standard procurement procedures, potentially indicating an emergency or an oversight that required subsequent formalization.

How does the $48,639.02 contract value compare to similar specialized trucking services procured by the government?

Benchmarking this $48,639.02 contract for specialized trucking is challenging without more specific details on the freight type and service requirements. However, for a 29-month period (September 1, 2020, through November 29, 2022), this averages approximately $1,677 per month. This value is relatively low for comprehensive logistics services, suggesting it might cover a very specific, limited scope, such as the transport of particular research samples or equipment between NIH facilities in Maryland. Larger, more complex freight contracts typically run into hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars.

What are the potential risks associated with a non-competed contract of this nature?

The primary risks associated with a non-competed contract, especially one designated as a 'RATIFICATION OF UNAUTHORIZED COMMITMENT,' include potential overpayment due to lack of price competition, reduced incentive for the contractor to provide optimal service, and a lack of transparency in the procurement process. Taxpayers may not be receiving the best value for their money. Furthermore, the 'unauthorized commitment' aspect suggests potential procedural irregularities or a failure in internal controls, which could indicate broader management or oversight weaknesses within the NIH contracting process for smaller acquisitions.

What is the track record of 'MOVING MASTERS INC' as a government contractor?

The provided data identifies 'MOVING MASTERS INC' as the contractor. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their past performance on federal contracts, including contract values, types of services rendered, past performance reviews, and any history of disputes or terminations. Without access to a broader contract database or performance reports specific to this company, it is impossible to evaluate their reliability, quality of service, or compliance history with federal regulations. The current contract's designation as a 'ratification of unauthorized commitment' might suggest a less-than-perfect adherence to formal contracting procedures in the past.

What is the historical spending pattern for specialized freight trucking at NIH or HHS?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for specialized freight trucking at NIH or HHS would require access to historical contract databases and spending reports. This specific contract, valued at $48,639.02 over 29 months, is a relatively small expenditure. To understand broader patterns, one would need to aggregate data on similar contracts, noting the frequency, value, and procurement methods (competed vs. sole-source) used over several fiscal years. This would help determine if this contract is an anomaly or representative of NIH's approach to acquiring such specialized logistical support.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Specialized Freight Trucking › Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Local

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4900 FROLICH LN, HYATTSVILLE, MD, 20781

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $48,639

Exercised Options: $48,639

Current Obligation: $48,639

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline