NARA awards $841K electricity service order to Georgia Power via GSA contract for Jimmy Carter Library

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $841,444 ($841.4K)

Contractor: Georgia Power Company

Awarding Agency: National Archives and Records Administration

Start Date: 2023-10-01

End Date: 2033-09-30

Contract Duration: 3,652 days

Daily Burn Rate: $230/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ELECTRICITY SERVICE ORDER PLACED AGAINST GSA CONTRACT: GS-00P-15-BSD-1134 AT THE JIMMY CARTER LIBRARY.

Place of Performance

Location: ATLANTA, FULTON County, GEORGIA, 30307

State: Georgia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

National Archives and Records Administration obligated $841,444.21 to GEORGIA POWER COMPANY for work described as: ELECTRICITY SERVICE ORDER PLACED AGAINST GSA CONTRACT: GS-00P-15-BSD-1134 AT THE JIMMY CARTER LIBRARY. Key points: 1. Spending is for electricity service, a necessary utility for government facilities. 2. The contract is a delivery order against a GSA schedule, indicating pre-negotiated terms. 3. The long duration (10 years) suggests a need for stable, long-term utility provision. 4. The lack of competition is a key factor to examine for potential cost implications.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a delivery order against a GSA schedule, which typically has pre-negotiated pricing. However, without knowing the specific GSA schedule and the pricing within it, a direct comparison to similar contracts is difficult. The firm fixed price structure provides some cost certainty.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, likely due to its nature as a delivery order against an existing GSA schedule. This limits price discovery and the potential for obtaining better pricing through competitive bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential electricity services. The lack of competition may result in a higher cost than if it were competitively bid, though GSA schedules aim for reasonable pricing.

Public Impact

Ensures continuous operation of the Jimmy Carter Library by providing essential electricity. Supports the preservation of historical records and public access to the archives. The long-term nature of the contract provides stability for the facility's energy needs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition for essential utility services.
Long contract duration may not reflect current market rates.
Reliance on a single provider for a critical resource.

Positive Signals

Utilizes a GSA schedule for potentially pre-negotiated pricing.
Firm fixed price contract offers budget predictability.
Ensures reliable service for a critical government facility.

Sector Analysis

Electricity service is a fundamental utility required by all government facilities. Spending benchmarks for electricity vary significantly based on facility size, location, and energy consumption patterns. This contract appears to be for essential operational needs.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to Georgia Power Company, a large utility provider, and does not appear to involve small businesses directly. There is no indication of small business set-aside or subcontracting opportunities within this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

The use of a GSA schedule for this electricity service order suggests some level of pre-negotiation and oversight. However, the limited competition aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure the pricing remains fair and reasonable over the contract's duration.

Related Government Programs

Electric Power Distribution
National Archives and Records Administration Contracting
National Archives and Records Administration Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Long contract duration
Potential for above-market pricing
Reliance on a single provider

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

National Archives and Records Administration awarded $841,444.21 to GEORGIA POWER COMPANY. ELECTRICITY SERVICE ORDER PLACED AGAINST GSA CONTRACT: GS-00P-15-BSD-1134 AT THE JIMMY CARTER LIBRARY.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEORGIA POWER COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: National Archives and Records Administration (National Archives and Records Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $841,444.21.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2033-09-30.

What is the specific GSA schedule used for this electricity service, and how does its pricing compare to market rates for similar services in Georgia?

The specific GSA schedule number is not provided in the data. To assess value, one would need to identify the relevant schedule (e.g., for utility services or energy contracts) and compare the per-kilowatt-hour rates and any associated fees against current market benchmarks for commercial or government electricity providers in the Atlanta region. This comparison would reveal if the GSA pricing offers a competitive advantage or if it's at a premium.

Given the 10-year duration and lack of competition, what is the risk of the government overpaying for electricity compared to potential market fluctuations?

The primary risk is that the firm fixed price, established at the beginning of a 10-year term, may become unfavorable if market electricity prices decrease significantly over time. Without periodic re-evaluation or price adjustment clauses tied to market indices, the National Archives and Records Administration could be locked into paying above-market rates, especially in a declining price environment. The lack of competition exacerbates this risk.

How effectively does this contract ensure reliable electricity delivery to the Jimmy Carter Library, and what are the contingency plans if Georgia Power fails to deliver?

The contract likely ensures reliable delivery through established utility infrastructure and service level agreements inherent in utility provision. However, the effectiveness relies heavily on Georgia Power's operational capabilities. Contingency plans are typically managed through standard utility emergency response protocols. For critical facilities, agencies often have backup power generation (e.g., generators) as a secondary measure, independent of the primary electricity provider's contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Electric Power Distribution

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

Parent Company: Southern CO Services Inc

Address: 241 RALPH MCGILL BLVD NE, ATLANTA, GA, 30308

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,616,444

Exercised Options: $2,616,444

Current Obligation: $841,444

Actual Outlays: $682,456

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00P15BSD1134

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline