NIH awards $6.1M for NHLBI workshop support to Synergy Enterprises, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,103,562 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Synergy Enterprises, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2025-03-12

End Date: 2027-03-11

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NHLBI WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20892

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $6.1 million to SYNERGY ENTERPRISES, INC for work described as: NHLBI WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive process. 2. The contract duration of 729 days suggests a medium-term engagement for workshop and conference support. 3. Synergy Enterprises, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific delivery order. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541611 points to administrative and management consulting services. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges if not managed closely. 6. The award is a Delivery Order, implying it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar framework.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total award amount of $6.1 million over approximately two years for workshop and conference support appears within a reasonable range for federal contracts of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of services, deliverables, and the number of workshops or conferences supported, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar NIH or NHLBI contracts for event management and administrative support would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This designation suggests that while the initial solicitation may have been broad, certain sources were excluded before the final award decision. The exact reasons for exclusion and the number of bidders that remained in contention are not detailed, making it difficult to fully assess the level of competition. A limited competition can sometimes lead to less competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition aspect means taxpayers may not have benefited from the lowest possible price that could have been achieved through a broader, more inclusive bidding process.

Public Impact

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) will benefit from organized and supported workshops and conferences. These events are crucial for advancing research, disseminating findings, and fostering collaboration within the scientific community. The services delivered will likely include logistical planning, administrative support, and potentially meeting facilitation. The primary geographic impact is expected to be within the United States, where researchers and stakeholders convene. The contract supports the administrative and operational functions of a key federal health research agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials contract type introduces potential for cost overruns if not meticulously monitored.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition phase warrants further investigation into fairness and breadth of opportunity.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes it challenging to benchmark performance and value effectively.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting some level of vetting and selection.
The contract supports a critical research institute (NHLBI) focused on public health.
The duration indicates a stable, planned engagement for essential support services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services for program support, strategic planning, and operational efficiency. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other contracts for conference management, event planning, and administrative support services awarded by agencies like NIH and other health-focused federal bodies. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Synergy Enterprises, Inc., is responsible for its own staffing and any subcontracting decisions it makes, which are not detailed in this award notice.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and the program officials at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) who are the recipients of the workshop and conference support. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the delivery order and the terms of the Time and Materials contract. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract award data, though specific performance metrics and detailed scopes of work are often not publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

NIH Research Support Contracts
Federal Conference and Event Management Services
Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Operations

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Limited competition raises questions about optimal price discovery.
Lack of detailed scope of work hinders performance and value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $6.1 million to SYNERGY ENTERPRISES, INC. NHLBI WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SYNERGY ENTERPRISES, INC.

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 $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-12. End: 2027-03-11.

What is the specific scope of services provided under this contract for NHLBI workshop and conference support?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'NHLBI WORKSHOP/CONFERENCE SUPPORT' and falls under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services). While the general purpose is clear, the specific scope of services is not detailed in the award notice. Typically, such contracts involve logistical planning (venue selection, scheduling, travel arrangements), administrative support (registration, communication, material preparation), financial management (budget tracking, vendor payments), and potentially on-site support during events. The exact deliverables, number of events, expected attendance, and specific scientific or programmatic focus of these workshops would need to be obtained from the contract's statement of work for a comprehensive understanding.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type impact cost control and value for money compared to other contract types?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. They reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. While T&M offers flexibility, it carries a higher risk of cost overruns for the government because the final price is not fixed upfront. Effective cost control relies heavily on diligent government oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours and material costs, and clear communication with the contractor. Compared to Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts, where the price is set regardless of the contractor's actual costs, T&M can be less predictable in terms of final expenditure. For value for money, the government must ensure that the rates are fair and reasonable and that the effort is efficiently executed.

What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply about the bidding process and potential price outcomes?

This contract clause signifies a nuanced competitive process. 'Full and open competition' generally means all responsible sources are permitted to submit offers. However, the addition of 'after exclusion of sources' indicates that certain potential bidders were removed from consideration prior to the final award. The reasons for exclusion are critical; they could range from failure to meet minimum qualifications, non-responsiveness to solicitation requirements, or specific regulatory exclusions. If the exclusions were justified and based on objective criteria, the remaining competition might still yield fair pricing. However, if the exclusions were overly broad or subjective, it could limit the number of viable bidders, potentially reducing competitive pressure and leading to a higher price than might be achieved in a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

What is Synergy Enterprises, Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with NIH or similar health agencies?

Information regarding Synergy Enterprises, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts, especially with NIH or similar health agencies, is not provided in the award data. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review their past performance history, contract values, types of services rendered, and any performance evaluations or disputes. Understanding their experience with similar workshop and conference support, their performance on Time and Materials contracts, and their overall relationship with health-focused agencies would provide crucial context for evaluating their capability and reliability in fulfilling this $6.1 million award.

Are there any specific performance metrics or KPIs associated with this contract that can be used to gauge success?

The provided award data does not include specific performance metrics or Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, these would be detailed in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). For workshop and conference support, potential KPIs could include adherence to budget, timely completion of logistical tasks, participant satisfaction rates, successful execution of event agendas, and effective communication with stakeholders. Without access to the SOW/PWS, it is impossible to objectively gauge the expected level of performance or measure the success of Synergy Enterprises, Inc. in fulfilling its obligations under this contract.

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) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 6116 EXECUTIVE BLVD., STE. 311, NORTH BETHESDA, MD, 20852

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,236,723

Exercised Options: $6,103,562

Current Obligation: $6,103,562

Actual Outlays: $215,677

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75N98025D00040

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline