DOE awards $15.6M for solar tech advisory, with Energy Technology Alliance LLC securing the contract
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $15,583,578 ($15.6M)
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: $28.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Energy
Official Description: THIS IS A NON-PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (SETO).
Place of Performance
Location: GOLDEN, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80401
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $15.6 million to ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE LLC for work described as: THIS IS A NON-PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (SETO). Key points: 1. Contract provides critical science, engineering, and technical advisory support to the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO). 2. Full and open competition suggests a robust market for these specialized services. 3. The contract duration of 546 days indicates a medium-term need for ongoing support. 4. The award value of $15.6 million reflects the specialized nature of the technical advisory services required. 5. This contract supports SETO's mission to advance solar energy technologies. 6. The contractor, Energy Technology Alliance LLC, will play a key role in advising on solar advancements.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $15.6 million for 546 days of science, engineering, and technical advisory support appears reasonable given the specialized nature of SETO's mission. Benchmarking against similar contracts for high-level technical consulting in the energy sector would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the absence of specific performance metrics or deliverables in the provided data makes a definitive value assessment challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives the best value. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized advisory services.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive bidding process that aims to secure specialized expertise at a fair market price, preventing potential overspending on critical research and development support.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the scientists and program managers within the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), who will receive expert technical guidance. The services delivered will support the advancement of solar energy technologies, contributing to national clean energy goals. The geographic impact is national, as SETO's work influences solar energy development across the United States. Workforce implications include the potential for highly skilled scientists and engineers to contribute to cutting-edge research and development.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the advisory services.
- The 'Time and Materials' contract type can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- The specific technical areas of advisory support are not detailed, limiting a full understanding of the scope.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market and fair pricing.
- Contract supports a critical government office (SETO) focused on advancing renewable energy.
- The contractor, Energy Technology Alliance LLC, is likely selected based on demonstrated expertise in science, engineering, and technical advisory.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the broader energy sector, specifically focusing on research and development support for solar technologies. The market for specialized scientific and technical advisory services is competitive, with numerous firms offering expertise in areas like renewable energy, materials science, and engineering. SETO's role is to foster innovation and accelerate the deployment of solar technologies, making contracts like this crucial for achieving national energy goals. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other R&D support contracts within DOE and other federal agencies focused on clean energy.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a result, small businesses are unlikely to be direct recipients of this prime contract. However, depending on the subcontracting plans of Energy Technology Alliance LLC, there may be opportunities for small businesses to provide specialized support services. Further analysis of subcontracting goals would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Energy's Solar Energy Technologies Office program managers and contracting officers. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance work statement and deliverables. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) Programs
- Department of Energy Research and Development
- Renewable Energy Technology Support
- Science and Engineering Consulting Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Difficulty in measuring the direct impact of advisory services on technological advancement.
- Reliance on contractor expertise requires strong government oversight.
Tags
energy, solar-energy, research-and-development, science-and-engineering-support, technical-advisory, department-of-energy, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, non-personal-services, federal-contract, advisory-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $15.6 million to ENERGY TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE LLC. THIS IS A NON-PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT TO PROVIDE SCIENCE, ENGINEERING, AND TECHNICAL ADVISORY SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (SETO).
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 $15.6 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 providing similar science, engineering, and technical advisory services to federal agencies, particularly within the energy sector?
A comprehensive review of Energy Technology Alliance LLC's past performance would be necessary to fully assess their track record. This would involve examining previous federal contracts, client feedback, and any documented successes or challenges in delivering science, engineering, and technical advisory support. Specifically, their experience with organizations similar to SETO, such as other Department of Energy offices or agencies focused on renewable energy research, would be highly relevant. Without access to detailed contract histories and performance evaluations, it is difficult to provide a definitive assessment of their capabilities and reliability for this specific award. However, securing a contract through full and open competition suggests they met the government's requirements and demonstrated sufficient expertise.
How does the awarded value of $15.6 million compare to similar contracts for science, engineering, and technical advisory services within the federal government, especially for energy-related research
The awarded value of $15.6 million for approximately 18 months of science, engineering, and technical advisory support to SETO requires comparison with similar contracts to ascertain its value for money. Benchmarking against contracts for high-level technical consulting, R&D support, and program advisory services within the Department of Energy or other agencies like the National Science Foundation or Department of Defense's research arms would be informative. Factors such as the specific technical expertise required, the level of the personnel involved (e.g., senior scientists vs. junior engineers), and the scope of work (e.g., strategic planning vs. detailed analysis) significantly influence pricing. Without specific details on the deliverables and the seniority of the resources provided, a precise comparison is challenging. However, the full and open competition suggests the price was deemed competitive within the market for these specialized services.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are likely in place?
Key risks for this contract include potential scope creep, where the advisory services extend beyond the initially defined requirements, leading to cost overruns or delays. Another risk is the contractor's ability to provide consistently high-quality, objective advice that aligns with SETO's evolving research priorities. Performance variability, where the contractor's output may not meet expectations, is also a concern. Mitigation strategies likely include robust contract management by SETO, clearly defined performance metrics and deliverables, regular progress reviews, and potentially performance-based incentives or penalties. The 'Time and Materials' contract type necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure efficient use of resources. Furthermore, the competitive nature of the award suggests a pool of qualified contractors, reducing the risk of selecting an underperforming entity.
How effective is the Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) in leveraging external advisory support to achieve its program goals, based on historical data?
Assessing the historical effectiveness of SETO in leveraging external advisory support requires analyzing the outcomes and impacts of previous advisory contracts. This would involve examining whether the advice provided led to tangible advancements in solar technology, informed strategic decisions, or improved program efficiency. Data points could include the successful deployment of technologies influenced by SETO's research, the impact of SETO-funded projects on the solar market, and qualitative assessments from program managers regarding the value of external expertise. Without specific historical performance data tied to advisory contracts, it's difficult to quantify SETO's effectiveness in this regard. However, the continued reliance on such support suggests that SETO finds value in external scientific and technical input to guide its mission.
What are the historical spending patterns of the Department of Energy for science, engineering, and technical advisory services, and how does this award fit within those patterns?
Analyzing the Department of Energy's historical spending on science, engineering, and technical advisory services would provide context for this $15.6 million award. DOE, as a large agency with significant R&D responsibilities, consistently spends substantial amounts on external expertise across various scientific disciplines. This includes funding for research support, technical assessments, strategic planning, and program evaluation. The Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO), being a key R&D program within DOE, would naturally allocate funds for specialized advisory services to support its mission. This $15.6 million contract appears to be a significant, but not necessarily outlier, investment for specialized support within a focused R&D area like solar energy. Understanding the total annual budget for SETO and DOE's overall R&D support spending would help determine if this award represents a typical or elevated level of investment.
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: $16,795,143
Exercised Options: $15,583,578
Current Obligation: $15,583,578
Actual Outlays: $15,583,578
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: 2025-09-05
More Contracts from Energy Technology Alliance LLC
- Scientific, Engineering and Technical Support Sets for DOE Eeres Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office Iedo - Follow-On to Order 89243424FEE000380 and 405 — $12.9M (Department of Energy)
- Scientific, Engineering, Technical Support Services- Office of Industrial & Efficiency Decarbonization — $11.7M (Department of Energy)
- Scientific, Engineering and Technical Support (sets) for Water Power Technologies Office (wpto) — $10.9M (Department of Energy)
- Scientific, Engineering and Technical Support Sets for DOE Eeres Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office Ammto - Follow-On to Order 89243424FEE000368 and 359 — $10.8M (Department of Energy)
- Scientific, Engineering and Technical Support (sets) for Department of Energy (DOE), Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (eere), Water Power Technologies Office (wpto) - Follow-On to Orders 89243424FEE000353 and 89243424FEE398 — $10.0M (Department of Energy)
Other Department of Energy Contracts
- Federal Contract — $48.1B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- ,Ct::igf Contract Award De-Na0003525 to the National Technology&engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (ntess) for the Management and Operation of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — $41.7B (National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC)
- Management and Operation of the OAK Ridge National Laboratory — $40.8B (Ut-Battelle LLC)
- TAS::89 0240::TAS This Performance-Based Management Contract (pbmc) IS for the Management and Operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl). the Contractor Shall, in Accordance With the Provisions of This Contract, Accomplish the Missions and Programs Assigned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Manage and Operate the Laboratory. the Laboratory IS ONE of Does Office of Defense Program Multi-Program Laboratories. the Laboratory IS a Federally Funded Research and Development Institution (established in Accordance With the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Operated Under This Management and Operating (M&O) Contract, AS Defined in FAR 17.6 and Dear 917.6 — $40.8B (Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC)
- M&O of Lanl BR of U of CA — $35.3B (Regents of the University of California, the)