DOE Awards $2.3M for Building 922 Chiller Replacement to Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,336,595 ($2.3M)
Contractor: Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-04-06
End Date: 2027-02-06
Contract Duration: 306 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.6K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: BUILDING 922 CHILLER REPLACEMENT - CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 04/06/2026 - 02/06/2027 (10 MONTHS)
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15236
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $2.3 million to CHENEGA ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: BUILDING 922 CHILLER REPLACEMENT - CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 04/06/2026 - 02/06/2027 (10 MONTHS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded for a 10-month construction period to replace a chiller at Building 922. 2. The awardee, Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions, LLC, is a known entity in government contracting. 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type, indicating a defined scope and cost. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 236220 points to commercial and institutional building construction.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The awarded amount of $2,336,594.74 for a 10-month chiller replacement project appears within a reasonable range for specialized construction services. Benchmarking against similar HVAC replacement projects in institutional settings would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, suggesting a limited source selection process. This could be due to specific requirements or existing relationships, potentially impacting price discovery and overall value.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a fully competitive bid process.
Public Impact
Ensures continued operation of essential building systems at a Department of Energy facility. Supports infrastructure modernization efforts within federal agencies. The project duration of 10 months indicates a focused effort on a critical component replacement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Lack of detailed cost breakdown makes independent verification difficult.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty.
- Awardee has experience in government contracting.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector. Spending in this sector is driven by infrastructure upgrades and maintenance needs across federal agencies. Benchmarks for similar projects vary widely based on scope and location.
Small Business Impact
The awardee, Chenega Architecture and Design Solutions, LLC, is not identified as a small business. There is no indication of small business subcontracting goals or participation in this specific award.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the project adheres to the fixed price, meets quality standards, and is completed within the specified timeline. The Department of Energy's contracting office is responsible for monitoring performance.
Related Government Programs
- Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for cost overruns
- Lack of transparency in pricing
- No small business participation identified
Tags
commercial-and-institutional-building-co, department-of-energy, pa, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.3 million to CHENEGA ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN SOLUTIONS, LLC. BUILDING 922 CHILLER REPLACEMENT - CONSTRUCTION PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 04/06/2026 - 02/06/2027 (10 MONTHS)
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 $2.3 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-02-06.
What specific factors led to the 'not available for competition' determination for this chiller replacement project?
The determination of 'not available for competition' typically arises from specific circumstances such as urgent needs, unique technical requirements that only one contractor can meet, or if the contract is a follow-on effort to a previous award where competition was already established. Without further documentation, the exact reason remains unclear, but it suggests a justification was made for limiting the bidding pool.
How does the $2.3M cost compare to industry benchmarks for similar chiller replacement projects of this scale and duration?
A direct comparison is challenging without detailed project specifications and regional cost data. However, $2.3M for a 10-month institutional chiller replacement suggests a significant undertaking. Industry benchmarks can vary widely based on the chiller's capacity, complexity of installation, building infrastructure, and prevailing labor/material costs in Pennsylvania. A detailed cost breakdown would be needed for a robust benchmark analysis.
What are the potential risks associated with a limited competition award for critical infrastructure like a chiller system?
The primary risk with limited competition is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. There's also a risk that alternative, potentially more innovative or cost-effective solutions might be overlooked. Furthermore, if the selected contractor faces unforeseen challenges, the government may have limited leverage for recourse compared to a fully competed contract.
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: 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: $2,336,595
Exercised Options: $2,336,595
Current Obligation: $2,336,595
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243326DFE000031
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-06
Current End Date: 2027-02-06
Potential End Date: 2027-02-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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