NIH Awards $8.47M for End User Support Services to NTT DATA, Underscoring IT Infrastructure Needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,473,824 ($8.5M)

Contractor: NTT Data Services Federal Government, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-08-15

End Date: 2026-06-20

Contract Duration: 309 days

Daily Burn Rate: $27.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT

Sector: IT

Official Description: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID) OFFICE OF CYBER INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY (OCICB) CUSTOMER SERVICES BRANCH (CSB) END USER SUPPORT SERVICES.

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20852

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $8.5 million to NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC for work described as: NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID) OFFICE OF CYBER INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY (OCICB) CUSTOMER SERVICES BRANCH (CSB) END USER SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential IT end-user support, a critical function for research institutions like NIH. 2. NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC secured this award, indicating a competitive landscape for IT support services. 3. Potential risks include service disruptions or cost overruns if support quality degrades. 4. The sector is IT services, specifically computer systems design, which is vital for scientific research operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $8.47 million for a 309-day period appears reasonable for comprehensive end-user support services. Benchmarking against similar IT support contracts for federal agencies of NIH's size and complexity would provide a more precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing as multiple vendors can bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is expected to yield fair market value, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential IT support.

Public Impact

Ensures continuity of critical IT services for NIH researchers and staff, enabling uninterrupted scientific progress. Supports the operational efficiency of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). Provides a stable IT environment, crucial for handling sensitive research data and complex computational tasks. Contributes to the overall cybersecurity posture by maintaining reliable end-user systems.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in support requests.
Dependence on a single vendor for critical IT functions.
Ensuring consistent service quality across all NIH departments.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Fixed Price Level of Effort contract type provides cost certainty.
Clear end date for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically computer systems design. Spending in this area is consistently high across federal agencies as they modernize infrastructure and rely on digital solutions for operations and research.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific provisions or set-asides for small businesses in this particular award. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in the broader IT support services market for NIH.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of the Interior acted as the contracting agency, with the award being a delivery order. Oversight would typically involve contract management by NIH's OCICB and CSB to ensure NTT DATA meets performance requirements and service level agreements.

Related Government Programs

Computer Systems Design Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Departmental Offices Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for vendor lock-in if not managed proactively.
Service level agreement (SLA) adherence and performance monitoring.
Ensuring knowledge transfer and continuity if contract changes hands.
Cybersecurity implications of third-party access to NIH systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $8.5 million to NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC. NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES (NIAID) OFFICE OF CYBER INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY (OCICB) CUSTOMER SERVICES BRANCH (CSB) END USER SUPPORT SERVICES.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NTT DATA SERVICES FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-15. End: 2026-06-20.

What specific metrics will be used to evaluate the quality and effectiveness of NTT DATA's end-user support services throughout the contract period?

The contract likely includes Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with defined metrics for response times, resolution rates, and user satisfaction. Regular performance reviews between NIH and NTT DATA will assess adherence to these SLAs. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) might include ticket closure times, first-call resolution percentages, and uptime of supported systems, ensuring accountability and service quality.

How does the fixed price level of effort structure mitigate risks associated with fluctuating demand for end-user support at NIH?

A Fixed Price Level of Effort (FPLE) contract establishes a set price for a defined scope of work and a specific level of effort. While it provides cost certainty for the government, it may not fully accommodate significant, unforeseen surges in demand. Risks are mitigated by clearly defining the 'level of effort' and potentially including mechanisms for contract modifications or task orders if demand exceeds the agreed-upon scope, ensuring flexibility.

What is the potential impact of this contract on NIH's ability to adopt new technologies or adapt to evolving cybersecurity threats?

This contract focuses on foundational end-user support, which is crucial for maintaining a stable environment for adopting new technologies. However, the scope might be limited to existing systems. The effectiveness in addressing evolving cybersecurity threats depends on whether the support services include proactive monitoring, patching, and user training related to new threats. Clear service definitions are key to ensuring it supports, rather than hinders, adaptation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE LEVEL OF EFFORT (B)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13880 DULLES CORNER LN STE 200, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,168,597

Exercised Options: $8,473,824

Current Obligation: $8,473,824

Actual Outlays: $3,190,171

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200017W

IDV Type: GWAC

Timeline