HHS contract for expert services awarded to Tunnell Consulting Inc. for $8.46M

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,459,012 ($8.5M)

Contractor: Tunnell Consulting Inc

Awarding Agency: General Services Administration

Start Date: 2024-04-01

End Date: 2026-03-24

Contract Duration: 722 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATION OPERATIONS AND RESPONSE ELEMENT FUNCTIONAL DOMAIN 2:TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, CLINICAL, AND PHARMACEUTICAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

General Services Administration obligated $8.5 million to TUNNELL CONSULTING INC for work described as: HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATION OPERATIONS AND RESPONSE ELEMENT FUNCTIONAL DOMAIN 2:TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, CLINICAL, AND PHARMACEUTICAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical, scientific, clinical, and pharmaceutical expertise for HHS. 2. Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Firm Fixed Price contract type aims to control costs. 4. Duration of 722 days provides a medium-term engagement. 5. Contractor Tunnell Consulting Inc. has experience in management consulting. 6. Geographic location is Washington D.C.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.46 million over approximately two years appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services (NAICS 541611) would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure is a positive indicator for cost control.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. This typically leads to a more robust selection process and potentially better pricing due to market forces. The number of bidders is not specified, but the competition type suggests multiple entities vied for this award.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), which will receive expert support. Services delivered include technical, scientific, clinical, and pharmaceutical subject matter expertise. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., where the contractor is located. The contract supports the operational and response functions within HHS.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Positive Signals

Awarded via full and open competition.
Firm Fixed Price contract type.
Contract duration is clearly defined.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the administrative management and general management consulting services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector is crucial for government operations, providing specialized expertise to support various agency functions. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering a range of capabilities. The total federal spending in this sector can be substantial, supporting a wide array of government needs.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the direct impact on small business set-asides is minimal. However, Tunnell Consulting Inc. may engage small businesses as subcontractors, contributing indirectly to the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the General Services Administration (GSA) and the specific program offices within HHS that utilize the services. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics may not be publicly detailed.

Related Government Programs

HHS Program Support Contracts
Federal Management Consulting Services
Technical and Scientific Advisory Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep in dynamic operational environments.
Reliance on specialized expertise may pose a risk if contractor capabilities are misjudged.
Contract performance monitoring is crucial for ensuring value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

General Services Administration awarded $8.5 million to TUNNELL CONSULTING INC. HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATION OPERATIONS AND RESPONSE ELEMENT FUNCTIONAL DOMAIN 2:TECHNICAL, SCIENTIFIC, CLINICAL, AND PHARMACEUTICAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TUNNELL CONSULTING INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: General Services Administration (Federal Acquisition Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-01. End: 2026-03-24.

What is Tunnell Consulting Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly in health and human services?

Tunnell Consulting Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, primarily within the management and administrative consulting domain. While specific details on their past performance within HHS or for similar technical, scientific, clinical, and pharmaceutical subject matter expertise are not provided in this data snippet, their award through full and open competition suggests they met the qualifications required. A deeper dive into their contract history, past performance reviews, and any relevant certifications would be necessary to fully assess their track record for this specific type of engagement. Their experience in administrative management and general management consulting (NAICS 541611) is a foundational indicator of their capability to manage and execute such contracts.

How does the $8.46 million contract value compare to similar consulting engagements for HHS or other federal agencies?

The $8.46 million contract value for approximately two years of specialized consulting services appears to be within a reasonable range for federal engagements of this nature. However, a precise comparison requires benchmarking against contracts with similar scope, duration, and complexity, particularly those awarded under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). Factors such as the specific expertise required (technical, scientific, clinical, pharmaceutical), the level of the consultants, and the urgency of the HHS needs would influence pricing. Without access to a database of comparable contract values, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but the firm fixed-price structure is a positive sign for cost predictability.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?

Potential risks include the contractor's ability to deliver the highly specialized technical, scientific, clinical, and pharmaceutical expertise required by HHS. There's also a risk of scope creep or unforeseen challenges in the coordination operations and response element. Mitigation strategies likely include the firm fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs effectively. The General Services Administration's oversight, along with defined performance standards and reporting requirements within the contract, would further mitigate risks. The selection process through full and open competition also aims to mitigate risk by choosing a qualified and capable vendor.

How effective is the firm fixed-price contract type in ensuring value for money for this specific HHS requirement?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type is generally effective in ensuring value for money when the scope of work is well-defined and unlikely to change significantly. For this HHS contract, which focuses on providing specific subject matter expertise, an FFP structure incentivizes Tunnell Consulting Inc. to deliver the required services within the agreed-upon budget. This shifts the cost risk to the contractor, encouraging efficiency and cost control. However, if the nature of HHS's coordination operations and response element proves highly dynamic or requires unforeseen adjustments, an FFP contract could potentially limit flexibility or lead to change orders, impacting the initial value proposition. Clear performance metrics and deliverables are crucial for maximizing the value derived from an FFP agreement.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar administrative and management consulting services at HHS or GSA?

Historical spending on administrative and management consulting services by agencies like HHS and GSA is typically substantial, reflecting the government's reliance on external expertise for various operational and strategic needs. These services often encompass areas like policy analysis, program management, IT consulting, and organizational development. While the specific data for this $8.46 million contract is provided, understanding the broader trend requires analyzing aggregate spending data over several fiscal years. Factors influencing historical spending include agency priorities, budget allocations, and the complexity of challenges faced by these departments. Benchmarking this contract against historical averages for similar NAICS codes within these agencies would provide context on its relative scale.

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) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 47QFDA24R0003

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1235 WESTLAKES DRIVE, BERWYN, PA, 19312

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $16,422,193

Exercised Options: $10,688,565

Current Obligation: $8,459,012

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $390,538

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QFDA23A0002

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline