HHS awarded MBL Technologies $26.9M for administrative management consulting over 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $26,883,010 ($26.9M)

Contractor: MBL Technologies, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2009-09-23

End Date: 2014-08-10

Contract Duration: 1,782 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: HHS CISO SECURE ONE PROGRAM SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20003

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $26.9 million to MBL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: HHS CISO SECURE ONE PROGRAM SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in administrative support services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing environment. 3. Contract duration of 5 years indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector. 5. Performance is located in the District of Columbia, a key federal hub. 6. The contract type is a definitive contract, often used for complex or long-term requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award of $26.9 million over approximately five years averages to about $5.4 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar administrative management consulting contracts is challenging without more granular data on the specific services provided and the scope of work. However, the duration and value suggest a substantial engagement. The contract was awarded on a labor hours basis, which can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. Further analysis would be needed to compare the hourly rates to market standards for similar expertise.

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 while initially there might have been some exclusions, the final award was made through a competitive process open to all eligible offerors. The number of bids received (10) suggests a reasonable level of competition for this type of service. A competitive process generally aids in price discovery and can lead to more favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it allows for a wider pool of potential contractors to bid, driving down costs and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing.

Public Impact

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) benefits from enhanced administrative management and general management consulting services. These services likely support the operational efficiency and effectiveness of various HHS programs and administrative functions. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is based and services are likely performed. The contract supports jobs within the consulting sector, specifically in administrative and management expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost creep due to labor hours contract type if not rigorously monitored.
The 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants understanding the initial exclusions to ensure full market potential was tapped.
Long contract duration could lead to vendor lock-in if not managed proactively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process.
Contractor has a significant award amount, suggesting established capabilities.
The contract is for administrative management, a critical function for agency operations.

Sector Analysis

The administrative management and general management consulting services sector is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, supporting agencies across various functions. This contract, valued at nearly $27 million, represents a substantial engagement within this sector. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically look at the average contract size for similar services within HHS or across government agencies. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 confirms the nature of the services provided.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small businesses were not specifically set aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). With 10 bidders in a full and open competition, there may have been opportunities for small businesses to participate as prime contractors or subcontractors. However, without specific subcontracting plans or set-aside goals, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not explicitly detailed in this data. Further review of subcontracting reports would be necessary to assess the extent of small business involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Health and Human Services' contracting officers and program managers. As a definitive contract, it likely has defined milestones and deliverables that are subject to review. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract. The Inspector General's office for HHS would have jurisdiction to investigate any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

HHS Administrative Support Contracts
Management and Consulting Services
Federal IT and Administrative Services
Department of Health and Human Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Contract Type: Labor Hours
Competition Type: Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $26.9 million to MBL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. HHS CISO SECURE ONE PROGRAM SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MBL TECHNOLOGIES, INC..

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 $26.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-23. End: 2014-08-10.

What specific administrative management and general management consulting services were provided under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the specific services are not detailed, typical engagements under this code for a contract of this magnitude and duration at HHS could include strategic planning, organizational analysis, process improvement, policy development support, program management support, and general administrative operations assistance. These services are crucial for ensuring the efficient functioning of the department's various administrations and programs. The 'CISO SECURE ONE PROGRAM SUPPORT' in the description suggests a potential focus on cybersecurity program management or related administrative functions within the Chief Information Security Officer's office, although the primary NAICS code points to broader administrative consulting.

How does the $26.9 million award compare to historical spending on similar administrative consulting services at HHS?

To accurately compare the $26.9 million award to historical spending, one would need to analyze HHS's budget allocations and contract awards for administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) over the contract's performance period (2009-2014) and preceding years. This would involve querying federal procurement databases for similar contracts awarded to other vendors or for similar functions within HHS. Without this comparative data, it's difficult to definitively state whether this award was high, low, or average. However, given the five-year duration, the annual average of approximately $5.4 million suggests a significant and ongoing need for these services within the agency.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. Typically, for administrative management and consulting services, KPIs would be tied to project completion timelines, quality of reports or analyses produced, efficiency gains achieved through process improvements, adherence to budget, and client satisfaction. Deliverables could include strategic plans, organizational assessments, policy recommendations, implemented process changes, and regular progress reports. The 'CISO SECURE ONE PROGRAM SUPPORT' title might imply specific deliverables related to cybersecurity program management, such as risk assessments, policy frameworks, or operational efficiency metrics for security programs.

What is the track record of MBL Technologies, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

MBL Technologies, Inc. was awarded this $26.9 million contract for administrative management and general management consulting services. To assess their track record, one would need to examine their complete contract history within the federal government, looking at past performance evaluations, the types and sizes of contracts they have successfully managed, and any past performance issues or awards. A review of their portfolio would reveal their experience in delivering services similar to those required by HHS, particularly if they have experience supporting CISO offices or cybersecurity programs. Without access to their full performance history and client feedback, a comprehensive assessment of their track record is not possible from the provided data alone.

Were there any significant risks identified during the procurement or performance of this contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list identified risks for this contract. However, general risks associated with large, long-term consulting contracts include scope creep, cost overruns (especially with labor-hour contracts), contractor performance issues, and changes in agency needs or priorities. The 'after exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition might indicate initial considerations or potential risks that were addressed before the final full and open competition phase. Robust contract management, clear performance metrics, and regular oversight are crucial to mitigating these potential risks throughout the contract's lifecycle.

How did the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' impact the final contract price and value?

The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' suggests that while the final award was open to all eligible bidders, there might have been an initial phase where certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific requirements or pre-qualification steps. The fact that it ultimately proceeded to full and open competition implies that the government sought the widest possible participation to ensure competitive pricing. This process generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that drives down costs and encourages innovation. The presence of 10 bidders further supports the idea that the competition was robust enough to achieve fair market value for the services rendered.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 13

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1 RESEARCH CT STE 450, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,883,010

Exercised Options: $26,883,010

Current Obligation: $26,883,010

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline