DOE Awards $3.17M Design/Build Cable Plant Project to Chenega Architecture
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,171,137 ($3.2M)
Contractor: Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2024-06-28
End Date: 2026-10-31
Contract Duration: 855 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: DESIGN/BUILD PITTSBURGH CABLE PLANT PROJECT
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15236
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $3.2 million to CHENEGA ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: DESIGN/BUILD PITTSBURGH CABLE PLANT PROJECT Key points: 1. Project focuses on commercial and institutional building construction. 2. Contract awarded as a firm fixed price definitive contract. 3. No small business participation noted in this award. 4. Significant duration of 855 days for project completion.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $3.17M for a design/build project of this nature requires further benchmarking against similar construction projects. Without comparative data, assessing pricing reasonableness is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price for this project, potentially impacting taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Construction project in Pittsburgh, PA, creating a cable plant. Potential for job creation during the construction phase. Long project duration may indicate complex scope or potential delays.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- No small business participation
- Long project duration
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed price contract
Sector Analysis
This project falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Benchmarking spending in this sector is challenging without specific project details, but large-scale construction projects often involve significant investment.
Small Business Impact
The award notice indicates no small business participation. This is a missed opportunity to support small businesses and could be a point of concern for federal contracting goals.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' status warrants further review to understand the justification for a sole-source award and ensure proper oversight was applied.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- No small business participation
- Long project duration
- Unclear value for money
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-energy, pa, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $3.2 million to CHENEGA ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS, LLC. DESIGN/BUILD PITTSBURGH CABLE PLANT PROJECT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CHENEGA ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-06-28. End: 2026-10-31.
What was the justification for not competing this significant construction contract?
The justification for a sole-source award is critical for understanding why competition was bypassed. Without this information, it's impossible to assess if the government received fair value or if there were specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent need) that precluded a competitive process. This lack of transparency raises concerns about potential inefficiencies and taxpayer impact.
How does the $3.17M price compare to similar design/build cable plant projects?
Benchmarking this $3.17M contract against similar design/build cable plant projects is essential for assessing value. Factors like project scope, complexity, location, and materials significantly influence cost. Without comparative data, it's difficult to determine if the price is reasonable or if taxpayers are overpaying due to the lack of competitive bidding.
What are the potential risks associated with the 855-day project duration?
An 855-day duration for a $3.17M project suggests potential risks such as scope creep, unforeseen site conditions, material delays, or contractor performance issues. Longer project timelines can increase overall costs through extended overhead, potential inflation, and delayed realization of the facility's benefits. Close monitoring and proactive risk management are crucial.
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 COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1155 KELLY JOHNSON BLVD SUITE 105, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, 80920
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, 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: $3,171,137
Exercised Options: $3,171,137
Current Obligation: $3,171,137
Actual Outlays: $164,756
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-06-28
Current End Date: 2026-10-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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