HHS awarded $15.3M for management support services to Tunnell Consulting Inc. over 3 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,280,734 ($15.3M)

Contractor: Tunnell Consulting Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2006-05-10

End Date: 2009-05-09

Contract Duration: 1,095 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14.0K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OTHER MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20024, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $15.3 million to TUNNELL CONSULTING INC for work described as: OTHER MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable given the duration and scope of professional services. 2. Competition dynamics for this contract were robust, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear statement of work and established contractor. 4. Performance context is within the realm of general management support, a common federal need. 5. The contract aligns with broader federal spending on professional and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award of $15.3 million over three years for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management support services would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the duration and the nature of the services indicate a potentially fair price point, assuming the deliverables met expectations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, indicating that it was competed under a broader contract vehicle. The presence of 4 bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specific task order. This level of competition is generally positive for price discovery and ensures that multiple firms had the opportunity to propose their services.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award means taxpayers likely benefited from a more efficient price due to the bidding process, rather than a sole-source arrangement.

Public Impact

The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) within HHS is the primary beneficiary, receiving management support. Services likely included strategic planning, operational support, and administrative assistance to enhance ASPR's mission. The contract's impact is primarily concentrated within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, where the contractor is based. Workforce implications involve the employment of professionals in scientific, technical, and management support roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial requirements were not clearly defined.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating multiple firms vied for the work.
The contract duration of three years suggests a stable need and a potentially reliable service provider.
The contractor, Tunnell Consulting Inc., has a track record of performing federal contracts.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broad category of professional, scientific, and technical services, a significant sector within federal procurement. Spending in this area often supports agency operations, policy development, and program management. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the General Services Administration's (GSA) professional services schedules or similar contract vehicles.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited unless Tunnell Consulting Inc. voluntarily engaged small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

As a competitive delivery order, oversight would likely be managed through the parent contract vehicle and the contracting officer's representative (COR) at HHS. Transparency is generally facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though specific performance metrics are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Management and Administrative Support Services
Professional and Technical Services
HHS Operational Support Contracts
ASPR Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for undefined scope in broad service categories.
Contract performance monitoring is crucial for ensuring value.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $15.3 million to TUNNELL CONSULTING INC. OTHER MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

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 (Office of Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2006-05-10. End: 2009-05-09.

What specific types of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' were provided under this contract?

The contract description 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS code 541990) is very broad. Typically, services under this category can range widely, including activities like research and development support, environmental consulting, translation services, and specialized technical assistance. For this specific contract with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), it likely involved support for strategic planning, program management, policy analysis, or operational readiness initiatives critical to ASPR's mission of preparing the nation for health emergencies. Without access to the detailed statement of work (SOW) or task orders issued against this contract, the precise nature of the services remains generalized.

How does the $15.3 million award compare to typical spending for similar management support services at HHS?

Comparing the $15.3 million award for Tunnell Consulting Inc. requires context regarding the contract's duration and the specific services rendered. The contract spanned three years (May 2006 - May 2009), equating to an average annual spend of approximately $5.1 million. This figure is moderate for a federal agency like HHS, which procures a vast array of services. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze contracts with similar scopes (e.g., strategic planning, operational support, policy development) awarded to other large or mid-sized consulting firms by agencies of comparable size and mission. Publicly available contract databases and reports from entities like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) or agency Inspector Generals could provide comparative data points on pricing and value for similar professional services.

What is Tunnell Consulting Inc.'s track record with federal contracts, particularly with HHS?

Tunnell Consulting Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts. While this specific award was for $15.3 million with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) via the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR), their broader federal contracting history would need to be examined for a comprehensive assessment. Federal procurement databases often track contract awards, performance ratings (if available), and past performance information. A review of these records would reveal the types of services they have provided, the agencies they have served, and any patterns in contract values and durations. Understanding their performance on previous contracts, especially those with similar scopes of work or within the healthcare preparedness sector, would provide insight into their reliability and expertise.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. Typically, such information would be found within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or task orders. For a management support services contract with ASPR, KPIs might have included metrics related to the timeliness of strategic plan development, the quality of operational assessments, the effectiveness of policy recommendations, or the successful execution of specific project milestones. Deliverables could have ranged from written reports and analyses to presentations and implementation plans. Without the SOW, assessing the contractor's performance against specific, measurable outcomes is not possible.

Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract during its performance period?

The provided summary data does not explicitly list any risks or challenges encountered during the performance of this contract. However, general risks associated with professional services contracts include potential scope creep, contractor performance issues, budget overruns, or changes in agency priorities necessitating contract modifications. Given that this was a competitive delivery order, the initial risk assessment during the procurement phase likely focused on ensuring a clear SOW, adequate funding, and the contractor's capability. Post-award risks would typically be managed by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) through regular monitoring and communication.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: RFQORDC0603

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Tunnell Consulting Inc (UEI: 069056018)

Address: 10627 JONES STREET, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $37,000,000

Exercised Options: $15,280,734

Current Obligation: $15,280,734

Timeline