HUD's $3.4M Information Resource Center Contract Awarded to Liona Enterprises Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,406,770 ($3.4M)

Contractor: Liona Enterprises Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development

Start Date: 2023-05-09

End Date: 2027-05-28

Contract Duration: 1,480 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.3K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER - PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF GENERAL INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES OF FEDERAL, PUBLIC, INDIAN, AND ASSISTED HOUSING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)

Place of Performance

Location: CINCINNATI, HAMILTON County, OHIO, 45202

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Housing and Urban Development obligated $3.4 million to LIONA ENTERPRISES INC for work described as: INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER - PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF GENERAL INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES OF FEDERAL, PUBLIC, INDIAN, AND ASSISTED HOUSING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Liona Enterprises Inc. for technical assistance and resource access for HUD programs. 2. The contract is for a definitive, firm-fixed-price award with a duration of 1480 days. 3. The NAICS code 561422 indicates services related to telemarketing and contact centers. 4. This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.4M over approximately 4 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar contracts for contact center services would be necessary to fully assess pricing fairness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach. This may have impacted price discovery, potentially leading to a higher price than if full and open competition were pursued.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for this contract. The lack of robust competition could mean less value for money compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

Provides essential technical assistance and resource access for federal, public, Indian, and assisted housing programs. Supports the Department of Housing and Urban Development's mission to create strong, sustainable communities. Ensures access to vital information for stakeholders involved in housing programs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Contract duration is substantial, requiring ongoing performance monitoring.

Positive Signals

Provides critical support for HUD's housing programs.
Clear statement of work for technical assistance and resource access.

Sector Analysis

The Information Resource Center falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, specifically contact center operations. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on the complexity and scope of services required.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis is needed to determine small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Liona Enterprises Inc. meets the technical assistance and resource access requirements outlined in the contract. Performance metrics and regular reviews are essential for accountability.

Related Government Programs

Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers
Department of Housing and Urban Development Contracting
Department of Housing and Urban Development Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Potential for non-competitive pricing
Need for robust performance monitoring
Lack of small business participation data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded $3.4 million to LIONA ENTERPRISES INC. INFORMATION RESOURCE CENTER - PROVIDE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF GENERAL INFORMATION AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES OF FEDERAL, PUBLIC, INDIAN, AND ASSISTED HOUSING PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT (HUD)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LIONA ENTERPRISES INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Housing and Urban Development (Department of Housing and Urban Development).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $3.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-05-09. End: 2027-05-28.

What specific technical assistance and resources are provided under this contract, and how do they align with HUD's strategic goals?

The contract focuses on providing general information and access to resources for federal, public, Indian, and assisted housing programs. This directly supports HUD's mission by facilitating program understanding and utilization. The effectiveness hinges on the quality and accessibility of the information and the responsiveness of the technical assistance provided to program stakeholders.

What are the risks associated with awarding this contract through limited competition, particularly regarding cost and performance?

Limited competition increases the risk of paying a non-competitive price and receiving less than optimal service quality. Without the pressure of multiple bidders, the contractor may have less incentive to innovate or offer the most cost-effective solutions. This necessitates stringent performance monitoring and clear contract deliverables to mitigate these risks.

How will the effectiveness of the technical assistance and resource access be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

Effectiveness can be measured through various metrics, including user satisfaction surveys, response times for inquiries, availability of resources, and feedback from HUD program managers. Tracking the volume and type of assistance provided, along with qualitative assessments of its impact on program operations, will help determine the overall value and justify the expenditure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Business Support Services › Telemarketing Bureaus and Other Contact Centers

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 86614923R00002

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 308 READING ROAD, CINCINNATI, OH, 45202

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,318,016

Exercised Options: $3,406,770

Current Obligation: $3,406,770

Actual Outlays: $2,233,286

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline