NIAID Contracts $82.7M for Scientific and Technical Support to Logical Technical Services Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,741,633 ($82.7M)

Contractor: Logical Technical Services Corp.

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2005-03-01

End Date: 2016-11-02

Contract Duration: 4,264 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE NIAID

Place of Performance

Location: BETHESDA, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20817

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $82.7 million to LOGICAL TECHNICAL SERVICES CORP. for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE NIAID Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Logical Technical Services Corp. for scientific and technical support. 2. The contract value is $82.7 million over its duration. 3. This falls under Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector. 4. The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. The total award value of $82.7 million over approximately 11 years suggests a moderate annual spend.

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 a competitive process. However, the specific exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into the rationale and potential impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for scientific and technical support, with the value and efficiency of this spending dependent on the outcomes achieved and the competitive nature of the award.

Public Impact

Supports critical research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Ensures continuity of scientific and technical services for NIAID projects. Potential for advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Long-term contract may indicate stable, ongoing needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can incentivize higher costs.
Exclusion of sources in a full and open competition needs justification.
Long contract duration (over 11 years) may not reflect current market conditions.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports a critical government health research agency.
Long-term award suggests consistent need and successful past performance.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically R&D in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Federal spending in this area is crucial for scientific advancement and public health, with typical contract values varying widely based on project scope and duration.

Small Business Impact

No specific information is provided regarding small business participation in this contract. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract's long duration and Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure suggest a need for robust oversight to ensure cost control and effective performance. Regular reviews of deliverables and expenditures are essential.

Related Government Programs

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
National Institutes of Health Programs

Risk Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type.
Exclusion of sources in competition.
Long contract duration.
Lack of specific performance metrics provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $82.7 million to LOGICAL TECHNICAL SERVICES CORP.. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT FOR THE NIAID

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LOGICAL TECHNICAL SERVICES CORP..

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 $82.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2005-03-01. End: 2016-11-02.

What was the specific justification for excluding sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?

The justification for excluding sources in a 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award typically relates to specific technical requirements, proprietary data, or unique capabilities that only a limited number of entities possess. Without the specific documentation, it's difficult to assess if this exclusion was truly necessary or if it limited competitive options and potentially inflated costs for the taxpayer.

How does the Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) structure impact the overall value and risk for this long-term contract?

A CPFF contract allows the contractor to recover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee. While it can facilitate complex projects where cost estimation is difficult, it carries a risk of cost overruns if not tightly managed. For a long-term contract like this, the fixed fee might not adequately account for inflation or evolving market conditions, potentially impacting the government's value for money over time.

What is the measurable impact of the scientific and technical support provided by Logical Technical Services Corp. on NIAID's research objectives?

Assessing the measurable impact requires examining NIAID's research outcomes, publications, and breakthroughs during the contract period that were directly supported by Logical Technical Services Corp. Metrics could include the number of research projects advanced, successful grant applications facilitated, or critical data analysis completed. Without specific performance reports or outcome data, the effectiveness remains qualitative.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: NIHNIAIDDEA0528

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7250 WOODMONT AVE ST 340, BETHESDA, MD, 20814

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $129,682,078

Exercised Options: $113,017,658

Current Obligation: $82,741,633

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline