DOE awards $35.2M for National Energy Technology Laboratory site operations support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $35,219,390 ($35.2M)
Contractor: Waseyabek Federal Services, L.L.C.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-05-23
End Date: 2027-08-31
Contract Duration: 830 days
Daily Burn Rate: $42.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: SITE OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES 5 (SOS5) FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY SBA REQUIREMENT NUMBER UN1702402831I
Place of Performance
Location: MORGANTOWN, MONONGALIA County, WEST VIRGINIA, 26507
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $35.2 million to WASEYABEK FEDERAL SERVICES, L.L.C. for work described as: SITE OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES 5 (SOS5) FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY SBA REQUIREMENT NUMBER UN1702402831I Key points: 1. Contract awarded to WASEYABEK FEDERAL SERVICES, L.L.C. for facilities support services. 2. The contract has a base period and option periods, with a total duration of 830 days. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, indicating predictable costs for the government. 4. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 5. This contract supports the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) in West Virginia. 6. The total value of the contract is approximately $35.2 million. 7. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 561210 for Facilities Support Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm fixed price structure provides cost certainty for the Department of Energy. Benchmarking against similar facilities support contracts for national laboratories would be necessary for a precise value-for-money assessment. However, the competitive award process suggests a reasonable price was achieved. The contract value of $35.2 million over approximately 2.75 years appears within a typical range for comprehensive site operations support at a federal research facility.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' indicating a robust competitive process. While the specific details of the 'exclusion of sources' are not provided, the 'full and open' designation suggests that multiple bidders were likely considered. The presence of four bidders (no) indicates a degree of competition, which generally aids in price discovery and ensures the government receives competitive offers.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down prices and encouraging innovative solutions from multiple offerors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and its research personnel, who will receive uninterrupted site operations support. Services delivered include essential facilities maintenance, operations, and support functions necessary for the NETL's research mission. The geographic impact is focused on the NETL facility located in West Virginia. The contract supports the operational workforce at the NETL site, ensuring continuity of services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if not managed tightly, given the broad nature of 'site operations support'.
- Dependence on contractor performance for critical facility functions could pose a risk if service levels degrade.
- The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants further investigation to ensure it did not unduly limit competition.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for these services.
- Contract duration allows for stable service provision and potential for contractor efficiency gains.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, a critical component of maintaining government infrastructure and research facilities. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous providers capable of offering comprehensive support. The value of this contract, approximately $35.2 million, is moderate for a national laboratory's operational needs, reflecting the specialized requirements of such an environment. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically consider the size and complexity of the facility being supported.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific contract award. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The focus appears to be on full and open competition.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Energy contracting officers and program managers responsible for the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Accountability measures are inherent in the Firm Fixed Price contract type, with performance expectations tied to payment. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance metrics and oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- National Energy Technology Laboratory Operations
- Federal Facilities Management Contracts
- Department of Energy Site Support Services
- Research Facility Operations
Risk Flags
- Potential for performance issues impacting critical research operations.
- Risk of cost escalation if scope is not tightly managed.
- Dependence on contractor's ability to maintain specialized facility services.
Tags
facilities-support-services, department-of-energy, national-energy-technology-laboratory, west-virginia, firm-fixed-price, definitive-contract, full-and-open-competition, site-operations, research-and-development-support, contract-value-35m-50m
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $35.2 million to WASEYABEK FEDERAL SERVICES, L.L.C.. SITE OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES 5 (SOS5) FOR THE NATIONAL ENERGY TECHNOLOGY LABORATORY SBA REQUIREMENT NUMBER UN1702402831I
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WASEYABEK FEDERAL SERVICES, L.L.C..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $35.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-23. End: 2027-08-31.
What is the track record of WASEYABEK FEDERAL SERVICES, L.L.C. in performing similar facilities support services for federal agencies?
A review of federal procurement databases and past performance information would be necessary to fully assess WASEYABEK FEDERAL SERVICES, L.L.C.'s track record. Information regarding previous contracts, client satisfaction, and any performance issues or awards would provide insight into their capability to successfully execute the SITE OPERATIONS SUPPORT SERVICES 5 (SOS5) contract for the National Energy Technology Laboratory. Without specific historical data, it's difficult to definitively gauge their experience in managing complex site operations for research-intensive federal facilities.
How does the awarded price of $35.2 million compare to similar facilities support contracts at other national laboratories?
Benchmarking this $35.2 million contract against similar facilities support contracts at other national laboratories requires access to detailed cost data and contract scopes from comparable facilities. Factors such as the size, age, specific research functions, and geographic location of the laboratory significantly influence support costs. A preliminary assessment suggests the value is within a reasonable range for comprehensive support over approximately 2.75 years, but a definitive value-for-money conclusion would necessitate a detailed comparative analysis of contract terms, service levels, and pricing structures across multiple federal laboratory support contracts.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Key risks for this contract include potential contractor underperformance leading to disruptions in critical laboratory operations, cost overruns if scope is not managed effectively (despite FFP), and potential reliance on key personnel. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust performance monitoring by the Department of Energy, clearly defined service level agreements (SLAs), and contingency planning for critical functions. The firm-fixed-price nature of the contract incentivizes the contractor to manage costs, but diligent oversight is crucial to ensure quality and prevent scope creep.
How effective is the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' approach in ensuring optimal value for taxpayers?
The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' approach aims to balance broad market access with specific requirements. While 'full and open' is generally positive for competition, the 'exclusion of sources' element requires scrutiny. If the exclusion was based on legitimate, well-defined criteria that narrowed the field appropriately without stifling innovation or unduly limiting viable bidders, it can lead to efficient outcomes. However, if the exclusion was arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could potentially reduce competition and lead to suboptimal pricing or less innovative solutions for taxpayers.
What is the historical spending pattern for site operations support at the National Energy Technology Laboratory?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for site operations support at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) would involve examining previous contract awards for similar services over several years. This would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and awarded contractors. Understanding this history helps contextualize the current $35.2 million award, indicating whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained stable. It also highlights any shifts in contracting strategies or contractor performance over time, providing a baseline for evaluating current and future expenditures.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services
Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 89243324RFE000083
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 16 MONROE CENTER ST NE, GRAND RAPIDS, MI, 49503
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $80,087,105
Exercised Options: $80,087,105
Current Obligation: $35,219,390
Actual Outlays: $15,789,744
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-23
Current End Date: 2027-08-31
Potential End Date: 2027-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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