State Department awards $6.77M engineering services contract to CELEEN LLC, with options extending to 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,772,441 ($6.8M)

Contractor: Celeen LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of State

Start Date: 2022-09-29

End Date: 2026-09-28

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: ---------- COMMENTS: ATTN: JASON BELL COR: ARIEL LUNA GTM: CHUCK CHILDERS PROJECT CODE: SEE CLINS POP: BY: 9/29/22-9/28/23 OY1: 9/29/23-9/28/24 OY2:9/29/24-9/28/25 OY3: 9/29/25-9/28/26 OY4:9/29/26-9/28/27 RE-COMPETE CONTRACT FOR SAQMMA17F0889 CA C

Place of Performance

Location: LUTZ, HILLSBOROUGH County, FLORIDA, 33548

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of State obligated $6.8 million to CELEEN LLC for work described as: ---------- COMMENTS: ATTN: JASON BELL COR: ARIEL LUNA GTM: CHUCK CHILDERS PROJECT CODE: SEE CLINS POP: BY: 9/29/22-9/28/23 OY1: 9/29/23-9/28/24 OY2:9/29/24-9/28/25 OY3: 9/29/25-9/28/26 OY4:9/29/26-9/28/27 RE-COMPETE CONTRACT FOR SAQMMA17F0889 CA C Key points: 1. Contract provides engineering services, with a base period value of $6.77M and potential for significant growth through option years. 2. The contract was awarded using full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a structured procurement process. 3. CELEEN LLC is the sole awardee, highlighting their specific capability or market position for these services. 4. The contract duration spans five years (including option years), suggesting a long-term need for these engineering services. 5. The primary service category is engineering services, a critical component for various government operations and infrastructure. 6. The contract's base period ends in September 2023, with options extending through September 2027.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The base award of $6.77M over approximately four years (from Sept 2022 to Sept 2026, considering the initial period and first option) suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking this against similar engineering services contracts would require more detailed service descriptions and scope. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it's challenging to definitively assess value for money. The contract type (LABOR HOURS) can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not managed tightly, but it also offers flexibility.

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'. This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, specific sources may have been excluded based on pre-defined criteria. The number of bidders is not explicitly stated, but the 'full and open' nature suggests multiple entities had the opportunity to bid, which generally promotes competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: This procurement method aims to ensure fair pricing by allowing multiple qualified contractors to compete, potentially leading to better value for taxpayers compared to sole-source awards.

Public Impact

The Department of State benefits from specialized engineering services to support its operations and infrastructure. The contract facilitates the delivery of essential engineering expertise, potentially for facility management, security upgrades, or technical projects. Services are likely concentrated in Florida (ST='FL', SN='FLORIDA'), impacting the local economy and workforce in that region. The contract supports a workforce skilled in engineering disciplines, contributing to employment in specialized technical fields.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' clause in the competition type warrants further investigation to understand the rationale and potential impact on broader competition.
Labor hours contract type requires diligent oversight to ensure efficient resource utilization and prevent cost creep.
Limited information on specific deliverables makes it difficult to assess performance outcomes and true value for money.
The relatively small base award compared to the potential total value across option years might indicate a phased approach or initial uncertainty about full requirements.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust and fair bidding process.
The multi-year nature of the contract (including options) provides stability and continuity for essential engineering services.
The contract is with CELEEN LLC, a specific entity presumably chosen for its capabilities in engineering services.
The contract is managed by the Department of State, a major federal agency with significant oversight capabilities.

Sector Analysis

Engineering services (NAICS 541330) represent a significant sector within professional, scientific, and technical services. This contract fits within the broader landscape of government procurement for specialized technical expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks for engineering services vary widely based on scope, complexity, and geographic location. The Department of State's reliance on such services underscores the critical role of engineering in maintaining and upgrading federal facilities and operational capabilities.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (SB=false, SS=false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications mandated by a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, CELEEN LLC, is responsible for its own subcontracting decisions, and there is no explicit information provided regarding their utilization of small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of State's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of State Facilities Management Contracts
Engineering and Technical Services Procurement
Professional Services Contracts
Government Infrastructure Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to 'LABOR HOURS' contract type.
Need for clarity on 'exclusion of sources' rationale.
Limited public information on specific deliverables and performance metrics.
Sole awardee may limit broader market price discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of State awarded $6.8 million to CELEEN LLC. ---------- COMMENTS: ATTN: JASON BELL COR: ARIEL LUNA GTM: CHUCK CHILDERS PROJECT CODE: SEE CLINS POP: BY: 9/29/22-9/28/23 OY1: 9/29/23-9/28/24 OY2:9/29/24-9/28/25 OY3: 9/29/25-9/28/26 OY4:9/29/26-9/28/27 RE-COMPETE CONTRACT FOR SAQMMA17F0889 CA C

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CELEEN LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of State (Department of State).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-29. End: 2026-09-28.

What is the specific nature of the engineering services required under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541330, which is 'Engineering Services'. However, the specific nature of these services is not detailed. Typically, engineering services for an agency like the Department of State could encompass a wide range of activities, including architectural and engineering design for facilities, structural engineering assessments, mechanical and electrical systems engineering, environmental engineering consulting, security system design, and project management for construction or renovation projects. The contract type being 'LABOR HOURS' suggests that the government is paying for the time and expertise of the contractor's personnel rather than for a fixed set of deliverables, implying flexibility in tasking but requiring close monitoring of effort and efficiency.

How does the $6.77M base award compare to typical engineering service contracts for the Department of State?

Without access to a comprehensive database of the Department of State's historical engineering service contracts and their specific scopes, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $6.77M for a base period of approximately four years (from Sept 2022 to Sept 2026, considering the initial period and first option) represents a moderate annual spend, averaging around $1.7M per year. This figure could be considered typical for specialized engineering support, depending on the complexity and scale of the projects involved. Larger infrastructure projects or extensive design work would likely command higher values, while smaller, focused tasks might be awarded at lower amounts. The presence of multiple option years suggests the potential for this contract to grow significantly if exercised.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'LABOR HOURS' contract type for engineering services?

The primary risk with a 'LABOR HOURS' contract type is the potential for cost overruns if the contractor's hours are not efficiently managed or if the scope of work expands unexpectedly without proper controls. Unlike fixed-price contracts, the government pays for the time spent, making it crucial for contracting officers to closely monitor labor hours, ensure personnel are productive, and validate that the work performed aligns with the contract's objectives. There's also a risk that the contractor might incentivize longer hours over efficiency. To mitigate these risks, robust oversight, clear task orders, and regular performance reviews are essential.

What does 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' imply for this contract?

This procurement method signifies that the solicitation was made available to all responsible sources capable of meeting the requirements, aligning with the principles of full and open competition. However, the phrase 'after exclusion of sources' suggests that certain potential offerors may have been excluded prior to the final solicitation or evaluation, likely based on specific pre-defined criteria outlined in the solicitation itself (e.g., specific certifications, past performance requirements, or unique capabilities). This approach aims to ensure that only highly qualified entities participate while still maintaining a competitive environment, preventing a sole-source situation but potentially narrowing the field from the absolute widest possible pool.

What is the track record of CELEEN LLC in securing federal engineering service contracts?

Based on the provided data, CELEEN LLC is the awardee of this specific contract with the Department of State. To assess their broader track record, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) to identify other contracts awarded to CELEEN LLC. This would reveal the agencies they have worked with, the types and values of services provided, their performance history (if publicly available), and whether they have a history of winning similar engineering service contracts. A consistent pattern of successful contract performance and awards in this domain would indicate a strong track record.

How does the geographic location (Florida) influence the contract's execution and impact?

The contract indicates the place of performance is Florida (ST='FL', SN='FLORIDA'). This means the engineering services will likely be performed by personnel based in or traveling to Florida, or related to projects located within the state. This has several implications: it directs federal spending towards the Florida economy, potentially supporting local engineering firms through subcontracting (if applicable), and creating or sustaining jobs for engineers and technical staff in that region. It also means that oversight and site visits by government personnel might be focused on Florida-based activities. The specific engineering needs of the Department of State within Florida would dictate the precise impact.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 MATTS PATH, MASHANTUCKET, CT, 06338

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,446,540

Exercised Options: $8,700,780

Current Obligation: $6,772,441

Actual Outlays: $1,133,026

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline