Tantus Technologies awarded $41.5M for NIEHS IT infrastructure and communication support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $41,472,613 ($41.5M)
Contractor: Tantus Technologies, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Start Date: 2020-03-15
End Date: 2025-09-14
Contract Duration: 2,009 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: PROVIDE IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NIEHS
Place of Performance
Location: MORRISVILLE, WAKE County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27560
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Health and Human Services obligated $41.5 million to TANTUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NIEHS Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the 5-year duration and scope of IT support. 2. Full and open competition suggests potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a firm fixed-price contract and established performance period. 4. This contract supports critical IT infrastructure for a key health research agency. 5. The services fall within the broad IT services sector, a common area for federal spending.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $41.5 million over five years averages to about $8.3 million annually. This seems within a reasonable range for comprehensive IT infrastructure and communication support services for a federal research institute like NIEHS. Benchmarking against similar contracts for IT support at agencies of comparable size and mission would provide further validation, but initial assessment suggests fair value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating that while some sources may have been initially excluded, the final award was made through a competitive process open to all eligible bidders. The presence of 7 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition, which typically drives better pricing and service quality for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives the best possible value for its investment, as multiple companies vied for the contract.
Public Impact
Researchers and staff at the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) benefit from reliable IT infrastructure and communication services. Essential IT support, including systems design, integration, and maintenance, is delivered. The geographic impact is primarily at the NIEHS facilities in North Carolina. The contract supports a workforce of IT professionals, both within the contractor and potentially within NIEHS.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type helps control costs.
- Long-term contract (5 years) provides stability for service delivery.
- Multiple bidders indicate a competitive market for these services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Information Technology (IT) services sector, specifically focusing on computer systems design and related services. The federal IT services market is substantial, with agencies consistently investing in infrastructure, cybersecurity, and operational support. This contract represents a typical investment for a research-focused agency like NIEHS to maintain its technological backbone.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While there's no explicit small business set-aside, the competitive nature of the award could still allow for subcontracting opportunities for small businesses if Tantus Technologies utilizes them. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is subject to standard federal procurement oversight. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle, its execution is monitored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. The specific oversight mechanisms would involve regular performance reviews and adherence to the firm fixed-price terms.
Related Government Programs
- NIH IT Support Contracts
- HHS IT Infrastructure Services
- Federal Computer Systems Design Services
- Environmental Health Research IT
Tags
it-services, health-and-human-services, national-institutes-of-health, niehs, computer-systems-design, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, north-carolina, mid-tier-contract, it-infrastructure, communication-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Health and Human Services awarded $41.5 million to TANTUS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.. PROVIDE IT INFRASTRUCTURE AND COMMUNICATION SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NIEHS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TANTUS TECHNOLOGIES, 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 $41.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-03-15. End: 2025-09-14.
What is Tantus Technologies' track record with federal IT contracts?
Tantus Technologies, Inc. has a history of performing federal IT contracts. While this specific contract is for NIEHS, their broader portfolio likely includes work with various agencies. A deeper dive into their past performance ratings, contract history (including any past issues or successes), and client agencies would provide a more comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability. Examining contract close-out data and any reported disputes or awards could further illuminate their track record.
How does the $41.5M value compare to similar IT support contracts?
The $41.5 million contract value over five years, averaging roughly $8.3 million annually, appears to be in a moderate range for comprehensive IT infrastructure and communication support services for a federal research institute. To provide a precise benchmark, one would need to compare it against contracts of similar scope (e.g., IT infrastructure, systems design, communication support) awarded to organizations of comparable size and mission within agencies like NIH or other research-focused federal bodies. Factors like geographic location, specific service level agreements, and the complexity of the IT environment would also influence comparability.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract?
The primary risks for this contract appear to be relatively low. The contract is firm fixed-price, which shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. It has a defined period of performance (March 2020 - September 2025). Potential risks could include contractor performance issues (failure to meet service level agreements), unforeseen technological obsolescence requiring scope adjustments, or cybersecurity vulnerabilities within the supported systems. However, the competitive award and standard oversight mechanisms are designed to mitigate these risks.
How effective is this contract in supporting NIEHS's mission?
This contract is crucial for supporting the NIEHS mission by ensuring the reliable operation of its IT infrastructure and communication systems. These systems underpin all aspects of the institute's work, from scientific research data management and analysis to administrative functions and inter-agency communication. Effective IT support directly enables researchers to conduct their work without technological disruption, facilitating advancements in environmental health science. The long-term nature of the contract suggests a commitment to sustained operational effectiveness.
What are historical spending patterns for IT support at NIEHS?
Historical spending patterns for IT support at NIEHS would likely show consistent investment in maintaining and upgrading its technological infrastructure. Agencies like NIEHS typically allocate significant portions of their budget to IT to support complex research endeavors. Analyzing past contracts for IT services, including their values, durations, and scopes, would reveal trends in spending, potential increases or decreases over time, and the types of IT services most frequently procured. This context helps evaluate whether the current $41.5M award aligns with historical investment levels.
What is the significance of the 'Computer Systems Design Services' NAICS code?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541512, 'Computer Systems Design Services,' signifies that the primary purpose of this contract is to provide expertise in designing, developing, integrating, and managing computer systems. This encompasses a broad range of IT services beyond simple hardware or software procurement, including IT consulting, systems integration, and IT project management. For NIEHS, this code indicates the need for specialized skills to ensure their complex IT environment is cohesive, efficient, and supports their research objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › ADP AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: NIHJT2010002
Offers Received: 7
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Tantus Technologies Inc.
Address: 1735 N LYNN ST STE 650, ARLINGTON, VA, 22209
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Indian (Subcontinent) American Owned Business, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $41,708,233
Exercised Options: $41,472,613
Current Obligation: $41,472,613
Actual Outlays: $30,944,026
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: HHSN316201200177W
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-03-15
Current End Date: 2025-09-14
Potential End Date: 2025-09-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-19
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