NIH Awards $853K for Instrumentation and Process Control Training to Thermal System Training, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $85,377 ($85.4K)

Contractor: Thermal System Training, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-06-27

End Date: 2026-04-02

Contract Duration: 1,375 days

Daily Burn Rate: $62/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS INSTRUMENTATION AND PROCESS CONTROL TRAINING CONSISTS OF A 3 COURSE SEQUENCE - J.W. HOLMES

Place of Performance

Location: CHRISTIANSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, VIRGINIA, 24073

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $85,377 to THERMAL SYSTEM TRAINING, LLC for work described as: THIS INSTRUMENTATION AND PROCESS CONTROL TRAINING CONSISTS OF A 3 COURSE SEQUENCE - J.W. HOLMES Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized technical training in instrumentation and process control. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, providing cost certainty for the government. 4. The training is intended for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The firm fixed price contract of $853,777 for a 3-course sequence appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the training. Benchmarking against similar niche technical training contracts would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP, which typically involves a limited number of offers. While this method can be efficient for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of SAP suggests an effort to streamline procurement for a training service valued under the simplified acquisition threshold, potentially leading to efficient use of taxpayer funds for specialized needs.

Public Impact

Enhances critical skills for NIH researchers and staff in operating and maintaining complex scientific equipment. Supports the operational efficiency and data integrity of NIH research facilities. Contributes to the ongoing advancement of biomedical research by ensuring personnel are well-trained.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not have secured the best possible price.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this is the only provider of this specific training.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Specialized training addresses a critical need for NIH.
Contract duration allows for phased training delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically focusing on specialized technical training. Spending benchmarks for such niche training can vary widely based on subject matter complexity and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as the prime contractor or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is a purchase order issued by NIH, a component of HHS. Standard government oversight processes for contract performance and payment would apply, ensuring accountability for the training delivered.

Related Government Programs

Exam Preparation and Tutoring
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for higher cost
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Vendor dependency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $85,377 to THERMAL SYSTEM TRAINING, LLC. THIS INSTRUMENTATION AND PROCESS CONTROL TRAINING CONSISTS OF A 3 COURSE SEQUENCE - J.W. HOLMES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THERMAL SYSTEM TRAINING, 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 $85,377.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-06-27. End: 2026-04-02.

What is the specific learning outcome and impact of this training on NIH research capabilities?

The training aims to equip personnel with the necessary skills for operating and maintaining instrumentation and process control systems crucial for NIH's biomedical research. This directly impacts the reliability of experiments, the quality of data generated, and the overall efficiency of research operations, ultimately supporting the agency's mission to advance health.

What are the risks associated with a limited competition procurement under SAP for this specialized training?

A primary risk is the potential for a higher price than could be achieved through broader competition. Additionally, limited competition might restrict access to potentially more innovative or cost-effective training solutions offered by other qualified vendors not solicited under SAP procedures.

How effective is this training in ensuring the long-term operational readiness of NIH's complex instrumentation?

The effectiveness hinges on the quality of instruction, curriculum relevance, and the practical application of learned skills by trainees. While the contract duration suggests a structured approach, ongoing evaluation of skill retention and impact on equipment uptime and maintenance would be necessary to fully assess long-term effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Educational Services › Other Schools and Instruction › Exam Preparation and Tutoring

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING 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: 95 BELMONT DR, CHRISTIANSBURG, VA, 24073

Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $85,377

Exercised Options: $85,377

Current Obligation: $85,377

Actual Outlays: $85,377

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline