HHS awards $24.3M contract for scientific and technical capacity to sustain regulatory review
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $24,290,405 ($24.3M)
Contractor: Tunnell Consulting Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2026-04-20
End Date: 2027-04-19
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $66.7K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL CAPACITY TO SUSTAIN REGULATORY REVIEW
Place of Performance
Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20993
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $24.3 million to TUNNELL CONSULTING INC for work described as: SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL CAPACITY TO SUSTAIN REGULATORY REVIEW Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Tunnell Consulting Inc. for administrative management and general management consulting services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract duration is one year, with a potential value of $24.3 million. 4. The award is for labor hours, indicating payment based on work performed.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $24.3 million for a one-year duration appears reasonable for specialized consulting services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for scientific and technical capacity support in regulatory environments would provide further context.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The use of full and open competition suggests that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid, which typically leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive nature of the award is positive for taxpayers, as it aims to secure the best value for the government's investment in regulatory review support.
Public Impact
Ensures continued regulatory review capacity for the FDA. Supports the agency's mission to protect public health. Provides specialized expertise in scientific and technical areas.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if labor hours exceed estimates.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical capacity.
Positive Signals
- Competitive award process.
- Clear contract duration and scope.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management and consulting. Spending benchmarks for similar scientific and technical support contracts within federal agencies can vary widely based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. The Food and Drug Administration's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
- Food and Drug Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration is relatively short (1 year), potentially leading to frequent re-competition.
- Award is for labor hours, which can be susceptible to scope creep and cost overruns if not managed tightly.
- No indication of small business subcontracting goals.
- The specific nature of 'scientific technical capacity' is broad and requires clear definition of deliverables.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-health-and-human-services, md, bpa-call, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $24.3 million to TUNNELL CONSULTING INC. SCIENTIFIC TECHNICAL CAPACITY TO SUSTAIN REGULATORY REVIEW
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TUNNELL CONSULTING INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Food and Drug Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $24.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-20. End: 2027-04-19.
What specific scientific and technical expertise is required for this regulatory review capacity?
The contract specifies a need for scientific and technical capacity to sustain regulatory review. This likely encompasses expertise in areas such as toxicology, pharmacology, medical device engineering, data analysis, and regulatory policy interpretation. The goal is to ensure the FDA can effectively evaluate the safety and efficacy of products and processes under its purview.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract?
Key performance indicators would likely focus on the timeliness and quality of regulatory reviews conducted, adherence to established protocols, and the successful integration of the contractor's expertise into the FDA's existing workflows. Specific metrics might include review turnaround times, accuracy of scientific assessments, and stakeholder satisfaction.
How will the effectiveness of Tunnell Consulting Inc.'s contribution be measured?
Effectiveness will be measured by the contractor's ability to provide the necessary scientific and technical support that directly contributes to the FDA's regulatory review mission. This includes meeting deadlines for reviews, providing sound scientific advice, and ensuring the quality and integrity of the review process. Performance evaluations will likely assess the impact on the agency's overall capacity and efficiency.
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
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
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: $24,290,405
Exercised Options: $24,290,405
Current Obligation: $24,290,405
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 75F40121A00040
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-20
Current End Date: 2027-04-19
Potential End Date: 2027-04-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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