HHS awards $7,223 technical writer contract to Kiliuda Consulting, LLC for editorial support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,224 ($7.2K)

Contractor: Kiliuda Consulting, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2022-12-12

End Date: 2023-12-11

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $20/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TO FULFILL THE NEED FOR AN TECHNICAL WRITER III TO PROVIDE EDITORIAL SUPPORT IN LMB, CCR, NCI. DARCY HAMPTON IS IDENTIFIED AS THE CANDIDATE.

Place of Performance

Location: ANCHORAGE, ANCHORAGE County, ALASKA, 99503

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $7,223.57 to KILIUDA CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: TO FULFILL THE NEED FOR AN TECHNICAL WRITER III TO PROVIDE EDITORIAL SUPPORT IN LMB, CCR, NCI. DARCY HAMPTON IS IDENTIFIED AS THE CANDIDATE. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential editorial support for critical NIH functions. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Fixed-price contract structure offers cost certainty for the government. 4. Short duration suggests a tactical need rather than a long-term strategic requirement. 5. Contractor's specific candidate identified, indicating a pre-determined solution. 6. Award falls under simplified acquisition procedures, limiting public visibility.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $7,223.57 for a technical writer is relatively small, making direct comparison difficult. However, the identification of a specific candidate (Darcy Hampton) and the sole-source nature of the award suggest that a competitive benchmark for pricing may not have been established. Without competitive bids, it's challenging to definitively assess if this represents fair market value, though the amount itself is modest for a year of specialized support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a sole-source award. The data explicitly states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and identifies a specific candidate. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves soliciting offers from multiple vendors to ensure the best value and price.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit opportunities for other businesses to compete for federal dollars and can potentially lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to competitively awarded contracts.

Public Impact

Provides editorial support to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), specifically within the Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) and Cancer Center Research (CCR) divisions. Ensures the quality and clarity of technical documentation and editorial content, which is crucial for scientific communication and research dissemination. Benefits researchers and administrative staff within NCI by facilitating effective communication of scientific findings and operational information. The geographic impact is localized to the NIH facilities where the editorial support is rendered.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Reliance on a single candidate might limit the pool of expertise available.
Limited transparency due to sole-source award under SAP.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Specific candidate identified suggests a tailored and potentially efficient solution.
Modest contract value minimizes financial risk.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector encompasses a wide range of professional services aimed at improving organizational efficiency and management. The market for technical writing and editorial support services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized expertise. However, this specific award was made outside of a broader competitive process, limiting its comparability to other market activities.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to Kiliuda Consulting, LLC. As the contract was not competed and no subcontracting plan is mentioned, the direct impact on small businesses is unclear. It is not indicated whether this was a small business set-aside. Further investigation would be needed to determine if Kiliuda Consulting, LLC is a small business and if any subcontracting opportunities were created.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the purview of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) contracting officers and program managers. Given the award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), the level of public transparency and detailed oversight mechanisms might be less extensive than for larger, fully competed contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud or mismanagement were suspected.

Related Government Programs

NIH Technical Writing Services
NCI Editorial Support Contracts
Administrative Management Consulting Services
Federal Editorial Support Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
Potential for overpayment due to lack of price competition.
Limited transparency in procurement process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $7,223.57 to KILIUDA CONSULTING, LLC. TO FULFILL THE NEED FOR AN TECHNICAL WRITER III TO PROVIDE EDITORIAL SUPPORT IN LMB, CCR, NCI. DARCY HAMPTON IS IDENTIFIED AS THE CANDIDATE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KILIUDA CONSULTING, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (National Institutes of Health).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $7,223.57.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-12. End: 2023-12-11.

What is the track record of Kiliuda Consulting, LLC with federal contracts, particularly within HHS or NIH?

Information regarding Kiliuda Consulting, LLC's specific track record with federal contracts, especially within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like FPDS-NG or SAM.gov to analyze past performance, contract types, values, and agencies served. Without this external data, it's impossible to assess their experience level or past performance quality for similar technical writing or editorial support services.

How does the identified candidate, Darcy Hampton, compare to typical technical writer III rates in the federal market?

The provided data identifies Darcy Hampton as the candidate for the Technical Writer III role but does not include their specific pay rate or salary expectations. The total contract value of $7,223.57 for a 364-day duration suggests a daily rate of approximately $19.84 ($7223.57 / 364 days). This daily rate appears exceptionally low for a Technical Writer III, even considering it might be a blended rate or exclude certain benefits. Market research for Technical Writer III roles in the federal sector, especially in the Washington D.C. area where NIH is located, typically shows daily rates significantly higher, often ranging from $300 to $600 or more, depending on experience, security clearance, and specific skill sets. This discrepancy warrants further investigation into how the total contract value was determined and what services are precisely included.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for specialized editorial support?

Sole-source awards for specialized editorial support carry several risks. Primarily, the lack of competition means the government may not achieve the best possible price, potentially overpaying for the services. It also limits the opportunity to leverage a wider range of expertise or innovative approaches that might be offered by other qualified vendors. Furthermore, it can create a perception of favoritism or a lack of due diligence in seeking competitive bids, potentially undermining public trust. For specialized roles like Technical Writer III, a sole-source award might indicate a pre-existing relationship or a specific, hard-to-replicate skill set, but without competition, verifying the necessity and cost-effectiveness of this approach is challenging.

What is the historical spending pattern for technical writing and editorial support services at NIH?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for technical writing and editorial support services at the NIH. To analyze this, one would need to query federal procurement databases for contracts awarded under relevant NAICS codes (e.g., 541611 for Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, or potentially others related to writing and editing) by the NIH over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the total amount spent, the types of contracts used (competed vs. sole-source), the primary contractors, and average contract values. Such a pattern could indicate whether this $7,223.57 sole-source award is an anomaly or part of a larger trend in how NIH procures these services.

How does the contract's duration (364 days) align with the typical needs for editorial support at NIH?

The contract duration of 364 days suggests a need for editorial support that spans approximately one year. This duration is common for task orders or specific projects that require dedicated resources for a defined period, often aligning with fiscal year cycles or project milestones. For NIH, which engages in extensive research and publication, a year-long requirement for editorial support is plausible. However, the short, non-competed nature might indicate a gap-filling requirement or a specific, time-bound project rather than a long-term, strategic need for editorial services, which might otherwise be addressed through a larger, competitively awarded contract vehicle.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Kiliuda Consulting

Address: 2702 DENALI ST STE 100, ANCHORAGE, AK, 99503

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $31,797

Exercised Options: $7,224

Current Obligation: $7,224

Actual Outlays: $8,304

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N91022A00001

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline