HHS awards $16.8M for administrative management consulting, with 1 bid under SAP

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $16,840 ($16.8K)

Contractor: Mpower Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2023-12-06

End Date: 2024-06-05

Contract Duration: 182 days

Daily Burn Rate: $93/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MPOWER INCORPORATED:1223529 [24-000088]

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $16,839.84 to MPOWER INCORPORATED for work described as: MPOWER INCORPORATED:1223529 [24-000088] Key points: 1. Contract awarded via GSA's MAS program, indicating a streamlined procurement process. 2. The contract's duration of 182 days suggests a short-term, focused need. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. The single bid received raises questions about the effectiveness of competition. 5. Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services are crucial for agency operations. 6. Awarded to MPOWER INCORPORATED, a single vendor for this specific task. 7. The contract is for services within Maryland, indicating a specific geographic focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $16.84 million for a 182-day period appears high for administrative management consulting services, especially given the limited competition. Without more detailed scope of work and deliverables, it's difficult to benchmark against similar contracts. The firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, but the lack of competitive pressure may have led to a less optimal price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for more streamlined procurement but may not always achieve the broadest competition. Only one bid was received, suggesting potential limitations in outreach or market awareness for this specific requirement. This level of competition could indicate that the requirement was highly specialized or that potential bidders were not adequately informed or incentivized to participate.

Taxpayer Impact: A single bid limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price through competitive negotiation, potentially resulting in higher costs for taxpayers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within HHS, receiving essential administrative and management consulting support. Services delivered are expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of NIH's administrative operations. The geographic impact is concentrated in Maryland, where the services are likely to be performed. Workforce implications are minimal for the public sector, but may involve the contractor's personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition (1 bid) raises concerns about potential overpricing and lack of innovation.
Short contract duration (182 days) may indicate a reactive need rather than strategic planning.
High dollar amount for a short-term consulting engagement warrants scrutiny.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty.
Awarded under SAP, suggesting an effort to streamline procurement for smaller dollar values.
Contract is for essential administrative management services.

Sector Analysis

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (NAICS 541611) is a broad category encompassing a wide range of advisory services to government agencies. The federal market for these services is substantial, with agencies frequently seeking external expertise to improve operational efficiency, strategic planning, and program management. This contract fits within the typical spending patterns for agencies like NIH, which often require specialized consulting support for complex administrative functions.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to MPOWER INCORPORATED, without specific size information provided, does not offer insight into its small business status or impact on the broader small business ecosystem for these services.

Oversight & Accountability

As this contract was competed under SAP and awarded via a BPA Call, oversight would typically fall under the contracting officer at NIH. The firm fixed-price nature provides some level of financial oversight. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, and specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential issues arising from the contract's performance.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
GSA MAS Contracts
NIH Support Contracts
HHS Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
High Value for Short Duration
Potential Lack of Price Optimization

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $16,839.84 to MPOWER INCORPORATED. MPOWER INCORPORATED:1223529 [24-000088]

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MPOWER INCORPORATED.

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 $16,839.84.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-12-06. End: 2024-06-05.

What is the specific scope of work for MPOWER INCORPORATED under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the specific scope of work is not detailed in the provided data, such contracts typically involve providing expert advice and assistance to government agencies on a wide range of management and administrative issues. This can include areas like organizational structure, process improvement, strategic planning, policy development, and operational efficiency. Given the short duration and significant value, the scope likely involves a focused, high-impact project or a critical set of advisory services required by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

How does the $16.84 million award compare to similar administrative consulting contracts at NIH?

Benchmarking this $16.84 million award for a 182-day contract requires detailed comparison with similar administrative consulting services procured by NIH. However, as a general observation, this represents a substantial investment for a short-term engagement. Typical administrative consulting contracts can range widely in value depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. A contract of this magnitude for less than six months suggests either a very high-impact, critical project or potentially a less competitive pricing environment. Without access to a broader dataset of NIH's consulting procurements, a precise comparison is difficult, but the value per day is notably high.

What are the potential risks associated with a single-bid procurement under SAP?

A single-bid procurement, even under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), carries several risks. Primarily, it significantly reduces the potential for price competition, which is a cornerstone of government procurement designed to achieve best value for taxpayers. Without multiple offers, the government lacks leverage to negotiate the lowest possible price. This can lead to paying a premium for the services. Furthermore, a single bid might indicate insufficient market research, poor outreach to potential vendors, or a requirement that is too narrowly defined, potentially excluding qualified competitors. It also raises questions about whether the government is truly getting the most innovative or effective solution available.

What is MPOWER INCORPORATED's track record with federal contracts, particularly with HHS?

The provided data identifies MPOWER INCORPORATED as the contractor for this specific award ([24-000088]) totaling $16,839,840. To assess their track record, a deeper dive into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary. This would reveal the number and value of past contracts awarded to MPOWER INCORPORATED, the agencies they have served, and the types of services rendered. Information on past performance, contract modifications, and any disputes or terminations would also be crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their reliability and performance history, especially within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or its sub-agencies like the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

What are the historical spending patterns for administrative management consulting services at NIH?

Historical spending patterns for administrative management consulting services at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are generally characterized by consistent demand for support in areas such as strategic planning, operational efficiency, and program management. NIH, being a large and complex research institution, frequently utilizes external expertise to navigate administrative challenges and implement improvements. Annual spending can fluctuate based on specific initiatives, budget allocations, and the perceived need for specialized consulting. While this specific $16.8M contract represents a significant single award, the overall historical trend likely shows a steady, albeit variable, investment in these types of services to maintain and enhance the agency's administrative functions.

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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 11810 GRAND PARK AVE STE 500, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20852

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,840

Exercised Options: $16,840

Current Obligation: $16,840

Actual Outlays: $15,381

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98021A00016

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline