DOE's NA-22 awards $7.85M contract for technical support to Sigma Science Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,851,803 ($7.9M)
Contractor: Sigma Science Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2022-03-25
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,832 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OFFICE OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (NA-22) TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $7.9 million to SIGMA SCIENCE INC for work described as: OFFICE OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (NA-22) TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value is moderate for specialized engineering services. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears low due to fixed-price contract and established vendor. 4. Sector is R&D, specifically nuclear nonproliferation, a critical national security area.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $7.85M over approximately 5 years is reasonable for specialized technical and analytical support in a niche field like nuclear nonproliferation. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for engineering services suggests this pricing is within expected ranges.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and ensures the government receives the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure cost-effective services for a critical national security function.
Public Impact
Ensures continued support for vital nuclear nonproliferation research and development. Supports national security by maintaining expertise in a sensitive technological area. Provides stable employment for specialized technical and analytical personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in long-term R&D contracts.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical expertise.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract type (firm fixed price) limits cost overruns.
- Long-term award provides stability for program continuity.
- Competition ensures market-driven pricing.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Research & Development sector, specifically focusing on engineering services for nuclear nonproliferation. Spending in this niche area is driven by national security priorities and requires highly specialized expertise, often commanding higher service rates.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. While this specific contract may not directly benefit small businesses, the overall R&D sector often involves subcontracting opportunities that could engage smaller firms.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Energy's Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (NA-22) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard government oversight mechanisms for contract performance, deliverables, and financial management are expected to be in place.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to specialized knowledge.
- Risk of scope creep in evolving R&D requirements.
- Limited direct benefit to small businesses from this specific award.
- National security implications require stringent performance monitoring.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-energy, dc, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $7.9 million to SIGMA SCIENCE INC. OFFICE OF DEFENSE NUCLEAR NONPROLIFERATION RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (NA-22) TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SIGMA SCIENCE INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-03-25. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific technical and analytical capabilities does Sigma Science Inc. bring to NA-22's mission?
Sigma Science Inc. likely provides specialized expertise in areas such as nuclear physics, materials science, engineering analysis, and potentially policy development related to nonproliferation. Their capabilities are crucial for assessing threats, developing countermeasures, and supporting international safeguards efforts, ensuring the effective execution of NA-22's critical national security mandate.
How does the firm fixed-price structure mitigate risks associated with long-term R&D projects?
The firm fixed-price (FFP) structure shifts most of the cost risk to the contractor, Sigma Science Inc. This means the government pays a predetermined price regardless of the contractor's actual costs. For R&D, this can incentivize efficiency and careful planning, although it might also lead contractors to be conservative in scope or innovation to manage their own risk.
What is the long-term effectiveness of relying on a single vendor for these specialized services?
While a single vendor provides continuity and deep institutional knowledge, it can also create a dependency that might limit access to emerging technologies or alternative perspectives. Long-term effectiveness relies on robust contract management, performance monitoring, and potentially periodic re-competition or strategic sourcing to ensure continued innovation and value.
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
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 89233122QNA000218
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 6565 AMERICAS PKWY NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM, 87110
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,875,733
Exercised Options: $9,923,756
Current Obligation: $7,851,803
Actual Outlays: $7,057,857
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 47QRAA18D005Q
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-03-25
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-24
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