Department of Energy awards $2.28M contract for advanced simulation and computing technical support to TECHSOURCE, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,281,278 ($2.3M)
Contractor: Techsource, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2024-08-27
End Date: 2026-08-26
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: OFFICE OF ADVANCED SIMULATION AND COMPUTING AND INSTITUTIONAL R&D PROGRAMS (NA-114) TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $2.3 million to TECHSOURCE, LLC for work described as: OFFICE OF ADVANCED SIMULATION AND COMPUTING AND INSTITUTIONAL R&D PROGRAMS (NA-114) TECHNICAL SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract is for technical support related to advanced simulation and computing. 3. TECHSOURCE, LLC, a private company, is the awardee. 4. The contract duration is approximately 2 years. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. The award is a Delivery Order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.28 million over two years for technical support in a specialized field like advanced simulation and computing appears moderate. Without specific performance metrics or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. Benchmarking against similar technical support contracts within the Department of Energy or other federal agencies for specialized engineering services would be necessary for a more robust evaluation. The Time and Materials pricing structure warrants careful monitoring to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under a full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The data shows 2 bids were received. A higher number of bidders typically suggests a more competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovation. However, with only two bids, the extent of true price discovery and the potential for a more robustly competitive outcome is somewhat limited.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition, even with a limited number of bids, is generally favorable for taxpayers as it provides an opportunity for multiple companies to offer their services, potentially driving down costs compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy's Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing and Institutional R&D Programs. The contract will provide essential technical support services for advanced simulation and computing initiatives. This support is crucial for maintaining and advancing the department's research and development capabilities. The geographic impact is primarily within the District of Columbia, where the contractor is located. The contract supports specialized technical expertise, potentially impacting the workforce in engineering and computing fields.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
- Limited number of bids (2) may indicate less competitive pressure on pricing.
- The specific technical expertise required may be niche, limiting the pool of qualified bidders.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, maximizing potential bidder participation.
- Contract supports critical advanced simulation and computing R&D programs.
- The contractor, TECHSOURCE, LLC, is responsible for delivering specialized technical support.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), which is a significant part of federal spending, particularly for agencies involved in research, development, and complex technical operations like the Department of Energy. The market for specialized technical support in advanced simulation and computing is driven by government needs for cutting-edge research and development. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for similar engineering and technical support services, especially those supporting scientific research and high-performance computing.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The award to TECHSOURCE, LLC, a private company, does not inherently create opportunities for small business subcontracting unless specified in the contract terms or pursued by the prime contractor.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of technical support services as outlined in the contract statement of work. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Research and Development Programs
- Advanced Computing and Simulation Contracts
- Engineering and Technical Support Services
- Federal IT and R&D Spending
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
- Limited competition indicated by only two bids received.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money.
Tags
department-of-energy, technical-support, advanced-simulation, computing, engineering-services, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, district-of-columbia, r&d
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.3 million to TECHSOURCE, LLC. OFFICE OF ADVANCED SIMULATION AND COMPUTING AND INSTITUTIONAL R&D PROGRAMS (NA-114) TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECHSOURCE, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-27. End: 2026-08-26.
What is the track record of TECHSOURCE, LLC in performing similar technical support contracts for the federal government?
Assessing the track record of TECHSOURCE, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving advanced simulation and computing or similar technical support services. Information on past performance, including client satisfaction, adherence to schedule and budget, and quality of deliverables, is typically available through sources like the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) and contractor performance assessment reporting (CPARS). A detailed analysis would involve examining the size, duration, and complexity of their previous contracts, as well as any documented performance issues or commendations. Without specific CPARS data or a detailed contract history review, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability for this specific award beyond the fact that they were selected through a competitive process.
How does the awarded amount compare to similar technical support contracts within the Department of Energy or other agencies?
To benchmark the $2.28 million award for technical support, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar services, considering factors like duration, scope of work, and the specific technical domain (advanced simulation and computing). For instance, contracts for engineering services, IT support for research facilities, or specialized scientific consulting within the Department of Energy or agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) or NASA could serve as comparators. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure also influences comparability, as T&M contracts can have variable costs. A comprehensive comparison would involve analyzing the average hourly rates, total contract values, and the number of labor hours billed on similar T&M or firm-fixed-price contracts to determine if this award represents a fair market price for the services rendered.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for technical support in this domain?
The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for technical support in advanced simulation and computing is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts do not have a predetermined total cost, meaning the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used. This can lead to higher-than-expected expenditures if the scope of work is not clearly defined, if the contractor's efficiency is low, or if the project requires more resources than initially anticipated. Effective oversight, including detailed tracking of hours, labor categories, and material costs, is crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure that the government receives good value for its investment. The Department of Energy will need robust project management to control costs under this T&M award.
How effective are the current oversight mechanisms for ensuring the successful delivery of technical support under this contract?
The effectiveness of oversight for this contract hinges on the Department of Energy's established procedures for managing Time and Materials (T&M) awards. Standard oversight mechanisms include the appointment of a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) or Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) responsible for monitoring contractor performance, verifying hours and materials, and ensuring adherence to the statement of work. Regular progress meetings, performance reviews, and audits are also critical. The success of these mechanisms depends on the diligence of the government personnel involved, the clarity of the contract's deliverables, and the transparency of the contractor's reporting. Without specific details on the DOE's internal oversight protocols for this particular contract, a definitive assessment of effectiveness is challenging, but the framework for oversight generally exists within federal acquisition regulations.
What is the historical spending pattern for technical support services related to advanced simulation and computing at the Department of Energy?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for technical support in advanced simulation and computing at the Department of Energy (DOE) would involve examining contract data over several fiscal years. This would reveal trends in contract values, award types (e.g., T&M vs. fixed-price), competition levels, and the prime contractors frequently awarded such work. Understanding these patterns can help identify whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether it has been subject to competitive pressures. For example, a historical trend of sole-source awards or consistently high spending on T&M contracts might indicate areas for potential improvement in procurement strategy or cost management. This specific $2.28 million award should be viewed within the context of the DOE's broader investment in these critical research areas.
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: 89233124QNA000345
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1475 CENTRAL AVE, LOS ALAMOS, NM, 87544
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,936,901
Exercised Options: $2,281,278
Current Obligation: $2,281,278
Actual Outlays: $1,409,839
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F003DA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-27
Current End Date: 2026-08-26
Potential End Date: 2029-08-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-30
More Contracts from Techsource, LLC
- Igf:cl:igf U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's (doe/Nnsa) Technical, Engineering, and Programmatic Support Services II (teps II) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Holders--Rfq 89233120QNA000116 Technical Suppo — $28.9M (Department of Energy)
- Liaison, Technical, Program, and Strategic Communications Support Services to the Office of the Deputy Administrator for Defense Programs (NA-10) — $25.3M (Department of Energy)
- Requisition 19MA002035 WAS Created to Provide Project Management Support to the Department of Energy. the Period of Performance IS: Base Year: 09/13/19 to 09/12/20 Option Year 1: 09/13/20 to 09/12/21 Option Year 2: 09/13/21 to 09/12/22 Option YEA — $21.5M (Department of Energy)
- Igf:cl:igf U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's (doe/Nnsa) Technical, Engineering, and Programmatic Support Services II (teps II) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Holders--Rfq 89233120QNA000137 Technical Suppo — $20.4M (Department of Energy)
- Technical Support Services for the Doe/Nnsa Office of Production Modernization (NA-19) — $20.1M (Department of Energy)
Other Department of Energy Contracts
- Federal Contract — $48.1B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- ,Ct::igf Contract Award De-Na0003525 to the National Technology&engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (ntess) for the Management and Operation of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — $41.7B (National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC)
- Management and Operation of the OAK Ridge National Laboratory — $40.8B (Ut-Battelle LLC)
- TAS::89 0240::TAS This Performance-Based Management Contract (pbmc) IS for the Management and Operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl). the Contractor Shall, in Accordance With the Provisions of This Contract, Accomplish the Missions and Programs Assigned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Manage and Operate the Laboratory. the Laboratory IS ONE of Does Office of Defense Program Multi-Program Laboratories. the Laboratory IS a Federally Funded Research and Development Institution (established in Accordance With the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Operated Under This Management and Operating (M&O) Contract, AS Defined in FAR 17.6 and Dear 917.6 — $40.8B (Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC)
- M&O of Lanl BR of U of CA — $35.3B (Regents of the University of California, the)