NASA's Goddard Center Electricity Contract Awarded to Potomac Electric Power Co. for $10.37M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,367,644 ($10.4M)
Contractor: Potomac Electric Power CO
Awarding Agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Start Date: 2025-12-01
End Date: 2026-11-30
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.5K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS CONTRACT PROCURES ELECTRICITY (SUPPLY AND DELIVERY) FOR NASA'S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) MAIN CAMPUS IN GREENBELT, MD AND RESPECTIVE AREAS 100, 200, 300, AND 400.
Place of Performance
Location: GREENBELT, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20771
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
National Aeronautics and Space Administration obligated $10.4 million to POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO for work described as: THIS CONTRACT PROCURES ELECTRICITY (SUPPLY AND DELIVERY) FOR NASA'S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) MAIN CAMPUS IN GREENBELT, MD AND RESPECTIVE AREAS 100, 200, 300, AND 400. Key points: 1. The contract is for electricity supply and delivery to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. 2. Potomac Electric Power Co. is the sole awardee. 3. The contract is firm-fixed-price, indicating predictable costs. 4. The contract duration is one year, with a total value of $10.37 million.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $10.37 million for a one-year electricity supply is within a reasonable range for a large federal facility. However, without specific per-unit energy pricing or historical data for GSFC, a precise benchmark is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not available for competition, likely due to the nature of utility services requiring a specific provider for a geographic location. This limits price discovery and negotiation opportunities.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers bear the cost of this essential service, with the potential for higher costs due to the lack of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
Ensures continuous power supply for critical NASA operations at Goddard Space Flight Center. Supports the daily functions of a major federal research and development facility. Impacts the local energy grid and economy through service provision.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Reliance on a single provider for essential services.
Positive Signals
- Ensures critical infrastructure receives necessary power.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the 'Other Electric Power Generation' sector, specifically for utility services. Federal spending in this area is generally stable, driven by the operational needs of government facilities.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to involve small business participation, as it is a sole-source award to a large utility provider.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would focus on ensuring the terms of the firm-fixed-price contract are met and that the electricity is delivered reliably as specified. The lack of competition limits the scope for performance-based oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Other Electric Power Generation
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Contracting
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
- Dependence on a single provider for essential utility.
Tags
other-electric-power-generation, national-aeronautics-and-space-administr, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $10.4 million to POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO. THIS CONTRACT PROCURES ELECTRICITY (SUPPLY AND DELIVERY) FOR NASA'S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER (GSFC) MAIN CAMPUS IN GREENBELT, MD AND RESPECTIVE AREAS 100, 200, 300, AND 400.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is POTOMAC ELECTRIC POWER CO.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (National Aeronautics and Space Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-12-01. End: 2026-11-30.
What is the historical electricity consumption and cost for GSFC to establish a more accurate value benchmark?
Historical data on electricity consumption (kilowatt-hours) and past contract costs for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center would be crucial for establishing a robust value benchmark. This information would allow for a more precise assessment of the current $10.37 million award against previous spending patterns and market rates, considering inflation and usage fluctuations.
Are there any regulatory mechanisms or price adjustment clauses that mitigate the risk of overpayment in this sole-source utility contract?
While sole-source contracts inherently limit competitive price discovery, utility contracts often include regulated rate structures or price adjustment clauses tied to established indices. These mechanisms aim to ensure fair pricing based on market conditions and operational costs, mitigating the risk of excessive overpayment for essential services like electricity.
How does the reliability of Potomac Electric Power Co. compare to industry standards for federal facilities of similar size and criticality?
Assessing the reliability of Potomac Electric Power Co. against industry standards for federal facilities involves examining their historical uptime, outage response times, and adherence to service level agreements. For a critical NASA center, consistent and dependable power delivery is paramount, and any deviations from high reliability standards could significantly impact research and operations.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Other Electric Power Generation
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 701 9TH ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20068
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,638,300
Exercised Options: $18,638,300
Current Obligation: $10,367,644
Actual Outlays: $3,010,824
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47PA0420D0064
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-12-01
Current End Date: 2026-11-30
Potential End Date: 2026-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-24
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