DOE awards $10.9M for scientific and technical support to Water Power Technologies Office
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,897,888 ($10.9M)
Contractor: Energy Technology Alliance LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-11-01
End Date: 2025-04-30
Contract Duration: 546 days
Daily Burn Rate: $20.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT (SETS) FOR WATER POWER TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (WPTO)
Place of Performance
Location: GOLDEN, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80401
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $10.9 million to ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE LLC for work described as: SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT (SETS) FOR WATER POWER TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (WPTO) Key points: 1. Contract provides essential scientific and engineering support for the Water Power Technologies Office. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed closely. 4. The contractor, Energy Technology Alliance LLC, has a track record that warrants review for performance and value. 5. The duration of the contract is 546 days, indicating a medium-term engagement. 6. The contract's value is within a typical range for specialized technical support services in the energy sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $10.9 million for 546 days of scientific, engineering, and technical support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work for the Water Power Technologies Office. Benchmarking against similar contracts for SETS in the energy sector would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, necessitates robust oversight to ensure costs remain aligned with the expected value and do not escalate beyond initial projections. Without specific performance metrics or comparison data, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value, but it falls within expected parameters for this type of specialized support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that the Department of Energy sought proposals from all responsible sources. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but this method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing. A robust competition typically leads to better value for the government by allowing multiple qualified contractors to vie for the work, potentially driving down costs and improving the quality of proposals submitted. The absence of limitations suggests a healthy market for these services.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the opportunity to secure the best possible price and quality for the services rendered, reducing the risk of overpayment and ensuring efficient use of public funds.
Public Impact
The Water Power Technologies Office (WPTO) benefits from enhanced scientific and technical expertise to advance its mission. Services delivered include crucial support for research, development, and demonstration activities in water power technologies. The geographic impact is primarily national, supporting federal research initiatives, with potential for broader technological diffusion. Workforce implications include the engagement of specialized scientific and engineering talent, contributing to the knowledge economy.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type carries inherent risk of cost overruns if not diligently managed and monitored.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or award fee structure could limit incentives for exceptional performance.
- The contractor's past performance data is not detailed here, requiring further investigation to assess reliability and quality.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive environment that should yield fair pricing.
- The contract supports a critical federal mission within the Department of Energy's renewable energy portfolio.
- The contractor is tasked with providing specialized scientific and technical support, indicating relevant expertise.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Scientific, Engineering, and Technical Support (SETS) services sector, a critical component of government R&D and program management. This sector supports various federal agencies in advancing technological capabilities and research objectives. The market for SETS is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. The value of this contract, approximately $10.9 million, is moderate for SETS, which can range from small, niche engagements to multi-billion dollar programs. This specific contract supports the Department of Energy's focus on renewable energy, particularly water power technologies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false) and the contractor is not identified as a small business (st: CO, which likely refers to a specific business type not detailed here, but typically not a small business designation). Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. However, the potential for subcontracting opportunities with small businesses should be assessed as part of the contractor's performance and oversight. Without specific subcontracting plans or historical data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award is unclear, but it represents a missed opportunity for direct small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Water Power Technologies Office. Accountability measures would typically involve performance reviews, milestone tracking, and adherence to the terms of the Time and Materials contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract.
Related Government Programs
- Water Power Technologies Office Programs
- Department of Energy Research and Development
- Scientific and Technical Support Services
- Renewable Energy Research Contracts
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type requires diligent cost oversight.
- Contractor's past performance data needs verification.
- Potential for cost escalation due to T&M structure.
Tags
energy, department-of-energy, scientific-engineering-technical-support, water-power-technologies-office, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, research-and-development, federal-contract, doe, technical-services, energy-technology-alliance-llc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $10.9 million to ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE LLC. SCIENTIFIC, ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT (SETS) FOR WATER POWER TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (WPTO)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-11-01. End: 2025-04-30.
What is the track record of Energy Technology Alliance LLC in performing similar scientific and technical support contracts for the federal government?
A thorough review of Energy Technology Alliance LLC's past performance is crucial for assessing their suitability for this contract. This would involve examining their performance on previous federal contracts, specifically looking at metrics such as on-time delivery, quality of work, adherence to budget (especially relevant for T&M contracts), and client satisfaction. Data from sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) would be invaluable. If their past performance indicates consistent success in delivering high-quality scientific and technical support within scope and budget, it strengthens confidence in their ability to execute this award effectively. Conversely, any history of performance issues, cost overruns, or disputes would raise significant concerns and necessitate closer scrutiny of their proposed approach and management plan for this contract.
How does the awarded value of $10.9 million compare to similar scientific and technical support contracts for energy research and development?
The $10.9 million award for 546 days of support for the Water Power Technologies Office needs to be benchmarked against comparable contracts to ascertain its value. Similar contracts for scientific, engineering, and technical support (SETS) within the Department of Energy or other agencies focused on renewable energy R&D can serve as benchmarks. Factors such as the specific technical expertise required, the duration of the contract, the level of competition, and the contract type (e.g., T&M vs. Firm-Fixed-Price) influence pricing. If comparable SETS contracts of similar duration and scope were awarded at a lower total cost or with more favorable terms (e.g., better price ceilings on T&M), it might suggest this award is not optimally priced. Conversely, if the complexity or specialized nature of the WPTO's needs justifies a higher cost relative to benchmarks, the value proposition improves.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this specific engagement, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the labor hours and materials expended by the contractor. For this $10.9 million contract, if the contractor's labor hours are not efficiently managed or if material costs escalate unexpectedly, the total expenditure could exceed initial projections. Mitigation strategies typically include establishing clear ceiling prices, requiring detailed timesheets and justifications for hours worked, implementing robust monitoring and surveillance by government technical monitors, and potentially incorporating CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) that allow for conversion to a fixed-price basis if certain milestones are met. The Department of Energy must ensure strong oversight to control costs and ensure the contractor remains focused on efficient service delivery.
How effective is the Department of Energy's oversight likely to be in ensuring the successful delivery of scientific and technical support under this contract?
The effectiveness of the Department of Energy's oversight hinges on several factors. Key elements include the expertise of the government personnel assigned to manage the contract (Contracting Officer's Representative - COR), the clarity of the Statement of Work (SOW), and the diligence applied in monitoring the contractor's performance and costs. For a T&M contract, rigorous oversight of labor hours, direct costs, and progress against objectives is paramount. If the DOE assigns experienced CORs with a deep understanding of the WPTO's technical needs and empowers them to actively manage the contract, oversight is likely to be effective. Conversely, insufficient resources, lack of technical expertise among oversight staff, or a passive approach could lead to cost inefficiencies and performance issues.
What is the historical spending pattern for scientific, engineering, and technical support services by the Water Power Technologies Office or similar DOE programs?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for SETS by the WPTO or comparable Department of Energy programs provides crucial context for this $10.9 million award. Understanding the typical annual or multi-year expenditure for such services can reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of services procured. For instance, if historical data shows consistent spending in the multi-million dollar range for SETS, this award aligns with established patterns. Conversely, a significant deviation from historical norms might warrant further investigation into the specific requirements driving this contract's value. Examining the distribution of spending across different contract types (e.g., T&M vs. FFP) and competition levels over time can also offer insights into DOE's procurement strategies and risk tolerance.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 920 NW BOND ST STE 204, BEND, OR, 97703
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Joint Venture Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $10,897,888
Exercised Options: $10,897,888
Current Obligation: $10,897,888
Actual Outlays: $10,897,888
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000008
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-11-01
Current End Date: 2025-04-30
Potential End Date: 2025-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-10-17
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