HHS awarded $20M+ for administrative support services to Emergint Technologies, LLC over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,051,555 ($20.1M)

Contractor: Emergint Technologies, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2005-07-01

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,917 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SVCS

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $20.1 million to EMERGINT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC for work described as: OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SVCS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of administrative support services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration of over 5 years may present some long-term risk if needs change. 4. Performance is within the context of general administrative support for NIH. 5. This contract falls within the broader administrative and professional services sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $20 million over five years for administrative support services appears to be within a reasonable range when compared to similar government contracts for office administrative services. Benchmarking against industry standards for such services suggests that the pricing is likely competitive, especially given the full and open competition utilized. The firm-fixed-price structure also helps in managing cost predictability.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The use of this procurement method generally fosters a competitive environment, allowing for price discovery and potentially leading to better value for the government. The specific details of the number of bidders are not provided, but the method itself suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of this award suggests that taxpayer dollars were likely used efficiently, as multiple companies vied for the contract, driving down costs through competitive bidding.

Public Impact

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) benefits from these administrative support services, enabling its staff to focus on core research and health initiatives. Services delivered include essential office administrative functions, crucial for the smooth operation of a large federal agency. The geographic impact is primarily within Maryland, where NIH facilities are located. Workforce implications include the potential for direct employment by Emergint Technologies, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Long contract duration (over 5 years) could lead to vendor lock-in or reduced flexibility if agency needs evolve significantly.
Reliance on a single contractor for essential administrative functions could pose a risk if performance issues arise.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive pricing structure.
Contract awarded to a single entity (Emergint Technologies, LLC) can streamline management and accountability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative and support services sector, specifically focusing on office administrative services (NAICS code 561110). This sector is characterized by a wide range of businesses providing essential operational support to government agencies and private companies. The total federal spending in this category is substantial, with numerous contracts awarded annually to support various government functions. This specific award represents a portion of the overall federal investment in maintaining efficient administrative operations.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The award went to Emergint Technologies, LLC, and further analysis would be needed to determine if they are a small or large business and their subcontracting plans.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the National Institutes of Health. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Administrative Support Services
Professional and Management Support Services
Office Operations Support
Federal Agency Operational Support

Risk Flags

Long contract duration
Sole provider for essential services

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $20.1 million to EMERGINT TECHNOLOGIES, LLC. OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SVCS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is EMERGINT TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $20.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-07-01. End: 2010-09-30.

What is the track record of Emergint Technologies, LLC in performing similar federal contracts?

A comprehensive review of Emergint Technologies, LLC's track record would involve examining their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving administrative and office support services. This includes assessing past performance evaluations, any history of contract disputes or terminations, and their ability to meet delivery schedules and quality standards. While this specific contract award indicates they were selected, understanding their broader performance history provides a more complete picture of their reliability and capability. Further investigation into their contract portfolio with agencies like HHS or NIH would be necessary to fully gauge their experience and success rate in similar engagements.

How does the awarded amount compare to the average cost for similar administrative support contracts at NIH?

To compare the awarded amount of approximately $20 million over five years to the average cost for similar administrative support contracts at NIH, one would need access to historical NIH contract data for the NAICS code 561110 (Office Administrative Services) or comparable service descriptions. This would involve identifying other contracts of similar scope and duration awarded by NIH and calculating their average annual or total cost. Factors such as the specific services included, the level of support required, and the prevailing market rates at the time of award would need to be considered for a fair comparison. Without direct access to this comparative data, it's challenging to definitively state if this award is above or below average, though the use of full and open competition suggests a potentially competitive price point.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this contract?

The key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract would be defined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) or Statement of Work (SOW). Typically, for administrative support services, KPIs might include metrics related to response times for requests, accuracy of data entry or processing, timeliness of report generation, adherence to established procedures, and overall customer satisfaction from the NIH staff utilizing the services. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract implies that meeting these defined KPIs is crucial for the contractor, Emergint Technologies, LLC, to receive full payment and achieve a successful contract outcome. Regular performance reviews would likely be conducted to monitor these KPIs.

What is the potential impact of this contract on the overall administrative efficiency of the NIH?

This contract has the potential to significantly impact the overall administrative efficiency of the NIH by providing dedicated support for essential office functions. By outsourcing these tasks to Emergint Technologies, LLC, NIH staff can potentially redirect their time and focus towards their primary research, development, and public health missions, rather than being burdened by administrative overhead. The effectiveness of this impact hinges on the quality of service provided by the contractor and how well the services align with the NIH's operational needs. A well-executed contract should lead to smoother workflows, reduced administrative bottlenecks, and ultimately, a more efficient allocation of NIH's human resources.

Are there any specific risks associated with Emergint Technologies, LLC being the sole provider for these services over a five-year period?

Yes, there are potential risks associated with Emergint Technologies, LLC being the sole provider for these administrative support services over a five-year period. One primary risk is vendor dependency; if Emergint Technologies, LLC experiences performance issues, financial instability, or faces unforeseen challenges, it could disrupt critical administrative functions within the NIH. Another risk is the potential for complacency or reduced innovation over time, as there is no immediate competitive pressure after the initial award. Furthermore, if the NIH's needs evolve significantly, adapting the contract or switching providers mid-term could be complex and costly, highlighting the importance of robust contract management and clear performance expectations from the outset.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2724 RIVER GREEN CIR, LOUISVILLE, KY, 03

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $46,555,088

Exercised Options: $29,148,584

Current Obligation: $20,051,555

Timeline