HHS awards $604K for NPPTL Scientific and Professional Engineering Support Services to ATL International

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $604,040 ($604.0K)

Contractor: Advanced Technologies and Laboratories (ATL) International, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2026-07-26

Contract Duration: 115 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NPPTL SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (SPESS)

Place of Performance

Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20878

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $604,040.41 to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC. for work described as: NPPTL SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (SPESS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, indicating a pre-negotiated framework. 2. The contract is for scientific and professional engineering support services, crucial for the CDC's NPPTL. 3. Fixed-price contract type suggests a defined scope and predictable costs for the government. 4. The duration of 115 days indicates a short-term, focused engagement. 5. The awardee, Advanced Technologies and Laboratories (ATL) International, Inc., has secured this contract. 6. The contract falls under Remediation Services (NAICS 562910).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $604,040.41 for approximately 115 days of service appears reasonable for specialized scientific and engineering support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for professional engineering services within the federal government is challenging without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator of value if the scope is well-defined. Further analysis would require comparing the proposed labor rates and the scope of work to industry 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, suggesting that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation implies a competitive process designed to solicit the best value. This approach generally leads to more favorable pricing and a wider selection of qualified contractors.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it promotes a level playing field, encourages competitive pricing, and increases the likelihood of selecting a contractor that offers the best value for the government's investment.

Public Impact

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will benefit from specialized scientific and engineering support. Services provided are critical for the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL). The contract is expected to support operations within Maryland. The contract may involve a specialized workforce with expertise in scientific and engineering fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on the specific deliverables and performance metrics.
The short duration might indicate a need for rapid, specialized support, potentially limiting long-term strategic integration.
Dependence on a single awardee for critical support services, even under a BPA call, warrants monitoring.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract supports a critical function within the CDC's NPPTL.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to remediation and engineering support. The federal government frequently procures such services to support research, development, and operational needs across various agencies. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The total award amount is relatively modest, suggesting a focused scope of work rather than a large-scale program.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. Therefore, small businesses were eligible to compete. However, the specific details regarding subcontracting opportunities for small businesses are not provided in the available data. Further investigation into the contractor's subcontracting plan would be necessary to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). As a BPA Call, it operates under an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement, which likely has its own set of oversight mechanisms. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of accountability regarding cost. Transparency would be enhanced by public reporting of performance metrics and deliverables.

Related Government Programs

Scientific and Engineering Support Services
National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) Operations
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Contracts
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Procurements

Risk Flags

Contract awarded under a BPA Call - requires review of underlying BPA terms.
Short contract duration - may indicate urgent need or limited scope.
NAICS code 562910 (Remediation Services) seems potentially broad for 'Scientific and Professional Engineering Support Services' - requires clarification of service specifics.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $604,040.41 to ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC.. NPPTL SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (SPESS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES AND LABORATORIES (ATL) INTERNATIONAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $604,040.41.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-07-26.

What is the specific nature of the scientific and professional engineering support services being provided to NPPTL?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'NPPTL SCIENTIFIC AND PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SUPPORT SERVICES (SPESS)'. While the exact nature of these services is not detailed, it can be inferred that they are critical for the operations of the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory. This likely includes tasks such as technical analysis, research support, engineering design or consultation, testing and evaluation of personal protective equipment, and potentially data analysis related to these areas. The 'Remediation Services' NAICS code (562910) might suggest support related to environmental remediation or safety protocols within the laboratory's scope, or it could be a broad classification for the type of technical expertise required.

How does the award amount of $604,040.41 compare to similar contracts for scientific and engineering support services?

Benchmarking this specific award amount requires a detailed comparison with contracts for similar services, considering factors like duration, scope complexity, required expertise, and the specific agency. A $604,040.41 award for approximately 115 days of service suggests a daily rate in the range of $5,250. This figure needs to be evaluated against prevailing market rates for specialized scientific and engineering consultants. Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable federal contracts or detailed market research, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent, good, or fair value. However, for specialized, short-term support, this amount is not inherently excessive, especially given the firm-fixed-price structure which shifts cost risk to the contractor.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract award to Advanced Technologies and Laboratories (ATL) International, Inc.?

Potential risks associated with this contract include the contractor's past performance record, which is not detailed here. If ATL International has a history of performance issues, cost overruns (despite the fixed-price nature, scope creep can occur), or schedule delays on similar contracts, it could pose a risk. The short duration of the contract (115 days) might indicate a need for urgent support, which can sometimes lead to rushed work or unforeseen challenges. Furthermore, reliance on a single contractor for critical support, even for a limited period, carries inherent risks if the contractor fails to deliver as expected or faces internal operational issues. A thorough review of ATL International's performance history and financial stability would be necessary for a complete risk assessment.

What is the historical spending pattern for NPPTL Scientific and Professional Engineering Support Services?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for this specific contract or service category. To understand historical spending, one would need to query federal procurement databases (like FPDS or USASpending) for previous awards related to 'NPPTL Scientific and Professional Engineering Support Services' or similar keywords, potentially filtering by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL). Analyzing past contract values, durations, awardees, and competition levels would reveal trends, identify recurring needs, and help assess if current spending aligns with historical norms or represents an increase or decrease.

How effective is the competition level (full and open) in ensuring value for money for this specific contract?

Awarding this contract under 'full and open competition' is generally considered the most effective method for ensuring value for money, as it allows all responsible sources to submit bids. This broadens the pool of potential contractors, fostering a competitive environment that typically drives down prices and encourages innovation. The effectiveness is maximized when the solicitation clearly defines the requirements and evaluation criteria, allowing the government to select the offer that represents the best overall value, not just the lowest price. While 'full and open' competition provides the framework for value, the actual realization of value depends on the quality of the solicitation, the responsiveness of bidders, and the government's evaluation process.

Industry Classification

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

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 555 QUINCE ORCHARD RD, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20878

Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,412,656

Exercised Options: $604,040

Current Obligation: $604,040

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75D30121A11150

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline