DOE awards $464K for gas flow meters, a sole-source purchase order with a short performance period
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,446 ($46.4K)
Contractor: Addglobe, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-06-17
End Date: 2025-11-01
Contract Duration: 137 days
Daily Burn Rate: $339/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: IRA FUNDED GAS FLOW METER (GFM) HIGH FLOW SAMPLER
Place of Performance
Location: LOXAHATCHEE, PALM BEACH County, FLORIDA, 33470
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $46,446 to ADDGLOBE, LLC for work described as: IRA FUNDED GAS FLOW METER (GFM) HIGH FLOW SAMPLER Key points: 1. The contract value of $464,460 is modest for a federal procurement, suggesting a specific, limited need. 2. The sole-source award indicates a lack of competition, potentially leading to higher prices than a competed contract. 3. The short performance period of approximately 4.5 months suggests an urgent or time-sensitive requirement. 4. The purchase order mechanism is typically used for simpler, lower-risk acquisitions. 5. The product category, gas flow meters, is essential for various industrial and environmental monitoring applications.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific gas flow meter purchase is challenging without detailed specifications and market research. However, the $464,460 award for a single unit with a short delivery timeline appears within a reasonable range for specialized equipment. The lack of competition, however, prevents a definitive assessment of whether the government received the best possible price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, ADDGLOBE, LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. Without competition, it's difficult to ascertain the breadth of market interest or if alternative solutions were considered.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can result in taxpayers paying a premium, as the absence of competition limits price negotiation and the potential for innovative, cost-effective solutions from a wider range of suppliers.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy (DOE) is the primary beneficiary, acquiring critical equipment for its operations. The gas flow meters are likely intended for monitoring or measurement purposes within DOE facilities or research projects. The contract's geographic impact is limited to Florida, where the vendor is located or where the equipment will be deployed. There are no immediate indications of significant workforce implications stemming from this specific procurement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and limited vendor options for future needs.
- Short performance period could indicate rushed procurement or potential for delays if the vendor faces issues.
- Sole-source justification needs thorough review to ensure it was truly necessary and not an administrative convenience.
Positive Signals
- The award to ADDGLOBE, LLC, fulfills a specific, identified need for the Department of Energy.
- The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
- The equipment is likely critical for the intended DOE function, ensuring operational continuity.
Sector Analysis
The manufacturing of totalizing fluid meters and counting devices falls under the broader industrial machinery and equipment sector. This sector is characterized by specialized manufacturers catering to specific industrial needs, such as energy, manufacturing, and environmental monitoring. Federal spending in this area often supports critical infrastructure, research, and regulatory compliance. The market can range from highly commoditized parts to bespoke, high-precision instruments.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements. ADDGLOBE, LLC's size is not specified, but the sole-source nature of the award limits opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
As a purchase order, oversight is typically managed through the contracting officer's representative (COR) within the Department of Energy. Accountability rests with the COR to ensure delivery and compliance with the contract terms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, with details primarily available through federal procurement databases.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy operational equipment
- Environmental monitoring systems
- Industrial measurement devices
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive justification
- Short performance period increases delivery risk
- Potential for inflated pricing due to lack of competition
Tags
department-of-energy, sole-source, purchase-order, gas-flow-meter, industrial-equipment, firm-fixed-price, short-performance-period, florida, manufacturing, energy-sector
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $46,446 to ADDGLOBE, LLC. IRA FUNDED GAS FLOW METER (GFM) HIGH FLOW SAMPLER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ADDGLOBE, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $46,446.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-06-17. End: 2025-11-01.
What is the specific application for these gas flow meters within the Department of Energy?
The provided data does not specify the exact application for the Gas Flow Meters (GFM) High Flow Sampler. However, given the Department of Energy's mission, these meters could be used for a variety of purposes. Potential applications include monitoring fuel consumption in research facilities, measuring emissions from energy production processes, supporting environmental compliance and reporting, or facilitating research into new energy technologies. The 'High Flow Sampler' designation suggests a need for measuring significant volumes of gas, possibly in industrial or experimental settings. Further details would likely be found in the contract's statement of work or technical specifications.
What is the typical market price range for similar gas flow meters purchased by the federal government?
Determining a precise market price range for similar gas flow meters is complex without specific technical requirements (e.g., flow rate, accuracy, material, communication protocols). However, federal procurement data can offer benchmarks. For 'Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing' (NAICS 334514), federal contract awards vary widely. Simpler devices might cost a few thousand dollars, while highly specialized, high-precision industrial meters can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The $464,460 award for a single unit with a short delivery period suggests a specialized or high-capacity device. A review of similar sole-source awards for specialized flow meters within the DOE or other energy-related agencies could provide more direct comparisons, but the lack of competition here limits definitive price benchmarking.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The justification for a sole-source award typically falls under specific exceptions to full and open competition, often cited in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 6. Common reasons include the availability of only one responsible source, urgent and compelling needs where delays associated with competitive bidding would cause unacceptable delays, or when the contract is for a brand-name item with no acceptable substitutes. For this specific contract, the justification would need to be documented by the Department of Energy. Without access to that documentation, it's impossible to state the precise reason, but it implies that ADDGLOBE, LLC was deemed the only viable provider for these specific gas flow meters under the given circumstances and timeline.
What are the risks associated with a sole-source procurement like this?
Sole-source procurements carry several inherent risks. Primarily, the absence of competition can lead to higher prices than might be achieved through a competitive process, as the government lacks leverage for negotiation. There's also a risk of reduced innovation, as vendors are not incentivized to offer unique or more cost-effective solutions. Furthermore, reliance on a single source can create supply chain vulnerabilities; if the sole provider experiences production issues or goes out of business, the government may face significant disruptions. Finally, sole-source awards can sometimes be perceived as lacking transparency or fairness, potentially leading to scrutiny if not adequately justified.
How does the short performance period (137 days) impact the contract's risk profile?
A short performance period, like the 137 days for this contract, can increase the risk profile. It suggests an urgent requirement, which might have contributed to the sole-source decision to expedite acquisition. This compressed timeline places pressure on the contractor (ADDGLOBE, LLC) to deliver quickly, increasing the risk of production delays, quality control issues, or logistical challenges. For the government, it means less time to identify and rectify problems should they arise. While a firm fixed-price contract offers cost certainty, the short duration amplifies the importance of timely delivery and could necessitate closer monitoring by the contracting officer's representative to mitigate potential disruptions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Totalizing Fluid Meter and Counting Device Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 89243325NFE000201
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1650 ARABIAN DR, LOXAHATCHEE, FL, 33470
Business Categories: Category Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $46,446
Exercised Options: $46,446
Current Obligation: $46,446
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-06-17
Current End Date: 2025-11-01
Potential End Date: 2025-11-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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