HHS Awards $3.9M Contract for Unaccompanied Alien Children Human Trafficking Data Analysis to Thomson Reuters

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,909,143 ($3.9M)

Contractor: Thomson Reuters Special Services LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-09-30

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN HUMAN TRAFFICKING DATA ANALYSIS

Place of Performance

Location: MCLEAN, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22102

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $3.9 million to THOMSON REUTERS SPECIAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN HUMAN TRAFFICKING DATA ANALYSIS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Thomson Reuters Special Services LLC for data analysis related to unaccompanied alien children and human trafficking. 2. The contract has a value of $3,909,142.98 and a duration of 364 days. 3. The service falls under Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services. 4. This is a definitive contract with a firm fixed price. 5. The contract was not competed, raising potential concerns about price discovery and competition.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Pricing is set at a firm fixed price. Without competitive bidding, it's difficult to assess if this price represents fair market value compared to similar data analysis services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

The contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits price discovery and may result in a higher cost to taxpayers than a fully competed contract.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition could lead to overspending, impacting taxpayer funds allocated for critical services.

Public Impact

Analysis of sensitive data related to vulnerable populations and potential criminal activity. Potential for improved identification and prevention of human trafficking. Impact on resource allocation for child welfare and immigration services. Ensuring data privacy and security for sensitive information. Transparency in how taxpayer funds are used for this analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for sole-source pricing issues
Sensitive data handling concerns

Positive Signals

Addresses a critical social issue
Utilizes specialized data analysis expertise

Sector Analysis

The IT services sector, particularly data processing and web hosting, is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarks for similar data analysis contracts can vary widely based on complexity and data sensitivity.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. This award appears to be directed towards a large, established provider.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the data analysis is conducted effectively, ethically, and in compliance with all privacy regulations. The lack of competition warrants closer scrutiny of performance and costs.

Related Government Programs

Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Data privacy and security risks
Limited transparency in award process

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $3.9 million to THOMSON REUTERS SPECIAL SERVICES LLC. UNACCOMPANIED ALIEN CHILDREN HUMAN TRAFFICKING DATA ANALYSIS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is THOMSON REUTERS SPECIAL SERVICES LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.

What specific capabilities does Thomson Reuters possess that justify a sole-source award for this critical data analysis?

The justification for a sole-source award typically rests on unique capabilities, specialized expertise, or urgent needs that only a specific vendor can meet. For this contract, the agency would need to demonstrate that Thomson Reuters has proprietary data sources, unique analytical tools, or established expertise in human trafficking data analysis that cannot be replicated by other qualified vendors within the required timeframe.

How will the agency ensure the cost-effectiveness and value for money given the lack of competitive bidding?

To ensure value, the agency should conduct thorough market research to establish a reasonable price range, negotiate aggressively with the sole-source provider, and implement strict performance metrics. Regular reviews of deliverables against the contract's objectives and comparison with industry benchmarks, where possible, will be essential to monitor cost-effectiveness and identify any potential overpricing.

What measures are in place to protect the sensitive data being analyzed and prevent misuse or breaches?

Robust data security protocols, including encryption, access controls, and regular audits, are paramount. The contract should include specific clauses addressing data privacy, confidentiality, and compliance with relevant regulations (e.g., HIPAA, if applicable). The agency must also ensure the vendor has a strong track record in data security and undergo regular assessments of their security posture.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Information › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services › Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 75P00125R00055

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1410 SPRING HILL RD STE 140, MC LEAN, VA, 22102

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,021,430

Exercised Options: $3,909,143

Current Obligation: $3,909,143

Actual Outlays: $1,303,048

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline