Department of Energy awards $1.68M contract for data analytics and machine learning support to Goldbelt Operations Support Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $16,822,170 ($16.8M)
Contractor: Goldbelt Operations Support Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2020-09-17
End Date: 2026-01-31
Contract Duration: 1,962 days
Daily Burn Rate: $8.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CENTER FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND MACHINE LEARNING (NETL B83 CDAML)PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26507
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $16.8 million to GOLDBELT OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC for work described as: CENTER FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND MACHINE LEARNING (NETL B83 CDAML)PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competitive pricing and potential for cost savings. 2. The contract duration extends over five years, indicating a long-term need for these specialized services. 3. Performance is concentrated in West Virginia, suggesting a localized impact on workforce and regional economy. 4. The fixed-price contract type aims to control costs, but the lack of competition may limit price discovery. 5. Analysis of value for money is challenging without comparable contract data or a competitive bidding process. 6. Risk indicators are moderate, primarily stemming from the sole-source nature of the award and potential for cost overruns if not closely managed.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value for money on this contract is difficult due to its sole-source nature and the absence of publicly available comparable contract data for specialized data analytics and machine learning services within the Department of Energy. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but without competitive bids, it's hard to ascertain if the $1.68 million award represents optimal market pricing. Further analysis would require access to internal cost data or a broader dataset of similar sole-source awards to assess if the pricing is reasonable relative to the scope of work and contractor capabilities.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances necessitate a rapid award. The lack of competition means that potential cost savings that could arise from a bidding process are likely foregone. It also limits the government's ability to explore a wider range of solutions or pricing structures from the market.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a reduced likelihood of achieving the lowest possible price for the services rendered. Without competitive pressure, the awarded price may be higher than what could have been secured through an open competition. This necessitates robust oversight to ensure the contractor delivers value commensurate with the cost.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), which will receive enhanced data analytics and machine learning capabilities. Services delivered will support the 'CENTER FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND MACHINE LEARNING (NETL B83 CDAML)PROJECT', likely improving research, operational efficiency, and decision-making. The geographic impact is concentrated in West Virginia, where the contractor's operations are based. Workforce implications may include specialized employment opportunities within the data science and machine learning fields in the region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Long contract duration (over 5 years) increases exposure to potential scope creep or performance issues.
- Lack of competition may reduce incentive for contractor to optimize performance or innovate.
- Specialized nature of services makes it difficult to benchmark performance and cost without deep domain expertise.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Contract awarded to a single entity suggests they possess unique or highly specialized capabilities required by the agency.
- Long-term award indicates a sustained and critical need for these data analytics services.
- Concentration in West Virginia may provide economic benefits to the local region.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the broader Information Technology and Professional Services sector, specifically focusing on data analytics and machine learning. This is a rapidly growing area within government and industry, driven by the increasing volume of data generated and the need for advanced analytical tools. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish precisely due to the specialized nature of the services and the sole-source award. However, government spending on IT services, including data analytics, has been substantial, often running into billions of dollars annually across various agencies.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded to a small business, nor does it appear to have specific small business set-aside provisions. The contractor, Goldbelt Operations Support Services, LLC, is not identified as a small business in the provided data. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal for this specific award, though the prime contractor's own subcontracting practices would need further investigation to determine broader implications.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy, specifically the contracting officer and program managers responsible for the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Accountability measures are embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards and payment schedules tied to deliverables. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the lack of public detail on performance metrics. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy IT Services
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) Support Contracts
- Data Analytics and Machine Learning Services
- Professional and Technical Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Limited public performance data
Tags
department-of-energy, national-energy-technology-laboratory, data-analytics, machine-learning, professional-services, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, west-virginia, it-services, research-and-development-support
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $16.8 million to GOLDBELT OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC. CENTER FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND MACHINE LEARNING (NETL B83 CDAML)PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GOLDBELT OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $16.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-09-17. End: 2026-01-31.
What is the track record of Goldbelt Operations Support Services, LLC with federal contracts, particularly in data analytics and machine learning?
Information regarding the specific track record of Goldbelt Operations Support Services, LLC in federal contracting, especially within the niche areas of data analytics and machine learning, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to examine past awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract modifications or disputes. Without this granular data, it's challenging to assess their experience level and past performance reliability for this specialized project.
How does the $1.68 million contract value compare to similar data analytics and machine learning contracts awarded by the Department of Energy or other agencies?
Direct comparison of the $1.68 million contract value is difficult without more specific details on the scope of work and the duration of comparable contracts. Data analytics and machine learning services can vary widely in complexity and cost. While $1.68 million over approximately five years (September 2020 to January 2026) suggests an average annual value of around $336,000, this figure needs to be contextualized against the specific deliverables. Benchmarking would ideally involve analyzing contracts with similar objectives, such as predictive modeling, data visualization, or AI development, awarded to entities of comparable size and expertise. The sole-source nature of this award further complicates direct price comparisons.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this sole-source contract include potential overpricing due to lack of competition, limited innovation if the contractor is not incentivized to explore better solutions, and vendor lock-in. Mitigation strategies typically involve rigorous government oversight, detailed performance metrics, and potentially periodic reviews of pricing or scope to ensure continued value. The Department of Energy would need to ensure strong contract management practices are in place, including regular performance evaluations and potentially market research to validate pricing assumptions. The firm fixed-price nature helps mitigate cost overrun risks, but not necessarily the risk of paying a non-competitive price.
What specific data analytics and machine learning capabilities will this contract enable for the NETL?
While the contract title mentions 'CENTER FOR DATA ANALYTICS AND MACHINE LEARNING (NETL B83 CDAML)PROJECT,' the specific capabilities enabled are not detailed. Generally, such contracts support activities like developing predictive models for energy research, optimizing experimental designs, analyzing large datasets from simulations or field studies, implementing machine learning algorithms for pattern recognition, and enhancing data visualization tools for researchers. These capabilities aim to accelerate scientific discovery, improve operational efficiency within NETL, and support data-driven decision-making for energy-related projects.
What has been the historical spending trend for data analytics and machine learning support at NETL or the Department of Energy?
Historical spending trends for data analytics and machine learning support at NETL or the broader Department of Energy are not provided in the current data. To assess this, one would need to analyze historical contract databases (e.g., FPDS) for relevant keywords and contract types over several fiscal years. Such an analysis would reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and identify key contractors or types of services that have been historically funded. This context is crucial for understanding the significance of the $1.68 million award within the agency's overall budget and strategic priorities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS
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: 15 OREGON AVE STE 203, TACOMA, WA, 98409
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $16,822,170
Exercised Options: $16,822,170
Current Obligation: $16,822,170
Actual Outlays: $15,352,533
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243320DFE000013
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-09-17
Current End Date: 2026-01-31
Potential End Date: 2026-01-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-29
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