WBK ENGINEERING LLC awarded $166K contract for IHS Dialysis Development Criteria by Department of the Interior

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $166,058 ($166.1K)

Contractor: WBK Engineering LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2026-09-09

Contract Duration: 161 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.0K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE - DIALYSIS DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20857

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $166,058.38 to WBK ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE - DIALYSIS DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA Key points: 1. Contract awarded under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 3. Contract duration is approximately 5 months. 4. Awarded by the Department of the Interior, supporting the Indian Health Service. 5. No small business set-aside noted, indicating potential for larger prime contractors. 6. The contract is a Delivery Order, likely part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $166,058.38 for approximately 5 months of work appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting within the federal government is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty for the government. The value is moderate, suggesting a focused scope of work rather than a large-scale program.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when only one contractor possesses the unique qualifications, capabilities, or proprietary information necessary to perform the work. The lack of competition means the government did not explore alternative pricing or solutions from other potential vendors, which could potentially lead to higher costs than if it had been competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for taxpayers to benefit from competitive pricing and innovation that typically arise from a broader bidding process.

Public Impact

Benefits the Indian Health Service by providing criteria for dialysis development. Services delivered include administrative and management consulting. Geographic impact is not specified but likely supports IHS facilities nationwide. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily involving the consulting firm's personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Limited transparency into the selection process due to sole-source award.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded to a specific contractor likely possessing unique expertise for the task.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of professional services. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, supporting various agencies in areas like strategic planning, operational efficiency, and policy development. The market includes numerous firms, from large consultancies to specialized small businesses. This specific contract appears to be a niche requirement supporting healthcare infrastructure development within the Indian Health Service.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary contractor, WBK ENGINEERING LLC, is likely not a small business or that the nature of the work did not lend itself to a small business set-aside. The absence of small business participation could limit opportunities for smaller firms to engage in this specific project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of the Interior and the Indian Health Service. As a sole-source award, the justification for this approach would be documented and subject to review. Transparency is limited due to the non-competitive nature, but contract performance metrics and deliverables would be monitored to ensure accountability.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Healthcare Services
Department of the Interior Management Consulting Contracts
Federal Dialysis Program Support

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
Limited transparency in contractor selection.
Potential for higher costs due to non-competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $166,058.38 to WBK ENGINEERING LLC. INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE - DIALYSIS DEVELOPMENT CRITERIA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WBK ENGINEERING LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $166,058.38.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-09-09.

What is the specific expertise of WBK ENGINEERING LLC that justified a sole-source award for this contract?

The provided data does not detail the specific expertise of WBK ENGINEERING LLC that led to the sole-source justification. Typically, sole-source awards are granted when a contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or specialized knowledge that cannot be replicated by other firms. For this contract, it's possible WBK ENGINEERING LLC has unique experience or proprietary methodologies related to dialysis facility development criteria, particularly within the context of the Indian Health Service's specific operational and regulatory environment. Further investigation into the contract's justification documentation (e.g., Justification and Approval - J&A) would be required to ascertain the precise reasons.

How does the $166,058.38 contract value compare to similar federal contracts for dialysis development consulting?

Direct comparison of the $166,058.38 contract value to similar federal contracts for dialysis development consulting is difficult without more granular data on the scope of services, duration, and specific deliverables. However, for a specialized consulting engagement lasting approximately five months, this value appears moderate. Larger, more comprehensive projects involving infrastructure planning or extensive policy development could easily run into millions of dollars. This contract likely represents a focused effort on defining criteria rather than full-scale project implementation. Benchmarking would ideally involve analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes (541611) and agencies (IHS) for comparable tasks.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract award?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract is the potential for suboptimal pricing due to the lack of competition. When a contract is not competed, the government may not achieve the most favorable price possible, as there is no market pressure from multiple bidders. Another risk is the potential for reduced innovation, as alternative approaches or solutions from other vendors are not explored. Furthermore, the justification for the sole-source award itself could be scrutinized if it is not adequately documented or if alternative sources were overlooked. Finally, there's a risk that the contractor may not perform to the highest standards if they perceive less pressure to do so compared to a competitive environment.

What is the expected impact of these 'Dialysis Development Criteria' on the Indian Health Service?

The 'Dialysis Development Criteria' are expected to standardize and improve the process for establishing and expanding dialysis services within the Indian Health Service (IHS). This could lead to more consistent quality of care, better resource allocation, and clearer guidelines for developing new or enhancing existing dialysis facilities. By defining specific criteria, the IHS can ensure that new developments meet essential operational, clinical, and regulatory standards, ultimately aiming to improve access to and quality of dialysis care for Native American populations. This contract supports the foundational planning necessary for effective healthcare infrastructure.

What is the historical spending pattern for WBK ENGINEERING LLC with the federal government?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for WBK ENGINEERING LLC. To assess their track record, one would need to access federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to review their past contract awards, including agencies served, contract types, values, and performance history. This would provide insight into their experience, reliability, and typical contract sizes, which is crucial for evaluating their suitability for current and future awards, especially sole-source ones.

How does the Department of the Interior's role in awarding this contract for the Indian Health Service function?

The Department of the Interior (DOI) awarding this contract for the Indian Health Service (IHS) suggests an interagency agreement or shared service arrangement. The IHS, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), may leverage the procurement expertise and contracting vehicles of other federal agencies like the DOI. This can streamline the acquisition process, especially for specialized needs or when the procuring agency has established strong relationships with specific contracting offices. The DOI's contracting office would manage the award process, while the IHS would be the primary beneficiary and likely provide technical oversight and requirements definition.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140D0426R0007

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 116 W MAIN ST, SAINT CHARLES, IL, 60174

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $465,489

Exercised Options: $166,058

Current Obligation: $166,058

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140D0424D0113

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline