DOE Awards $1.5M for Geothermal Outreach Support to Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $1,538,496 ($1.5M)
Contractor: Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2024-01-31
End Date: 2027-01-30
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Energy
Official Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), EERE, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR GEOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (GTO)
Place of Performance
Location: PITTSBURGH, ALLEGHENY County, PENNSYLVANIA, 15203
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $1.5 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC. for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), EERE, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR GEOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (GTO) Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Rack-Wildner & Reese, Inc. for strategic engagement and outreach. 2. Focus on supporting the Geothermal Technologies Office (GTO) within the DOE. 3. Contract type is Time and Materials, with a duration of 1095 days. 4. Competition method was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating a streamlined process.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. The awarded amount of $1.5M over three years needs careful monitoring against deliverables to ensure value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited number of bidders were solicited. This method can be efficient but may not always yield the lowest price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for public relations and strategic outreach, aiming to advance geothermal technologies. The effectiveness of this spending will depend on the tangible outcomes achieved in promoting GTO's mission.
Public Impact
Public relations efforts to promote geothermal energy technologies. Support for the Department of Energy's Geothermal Technologies Office. Potential for increased public awareness and investment in geothermal energy. Contract duration of three years allows for sustained engagement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type risks cost escalation.
- SAP competition may limit price discovery.
- Lack of clear performance metrics in provided data.
Positive Signals
- Supports a key technology initiative (geothermal energy).
- Long-term contract allows for consistent support.
- Award to a specific firm for specialized services.
Sector Analysis
The Public Relations Agencies sector (NAICS 541820) supports various government functions. This contract falls within the energy sector's outreach efforts, aiming to advance a specific technology. Benchmarks for similar outreach contracts would be needed for a precise comparison.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial given the Time and Materials contract type. The Department of Energy's contracting office is responsible for ensuring deliverables are met and costs remain within reasonable bounds.
Related Government Programs
- Public Relations Agencies
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract.
- Limited competition under SAP may not yield best value.
- Lack of defined performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
- No small business set-aside, potentially excluding smaller specialized firms.
Tags
public-relations-agencies, department-of-energy, pa, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $1.5 million to RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC.. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), EERE, STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH SUPPORT SERVICES (SEOSS) FOR GEOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGIES OFFICE (GTO)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RACK-WILDNER & REESE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $1.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-01-31. End: 2027-01-30.
What specific outreach activities are planned, and how will their success be measured to ensure taxpayer value?
The success of taxpayer value hinges on clearly defined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the outreach activities. These should include metrics like increased public engagement, media mentions, stakeholder participation in GTO initiatives, and potentially, shifts in public perception or investment interest in geothermal technologies. Without specific KPIs, it's difficult to assess if the $1.5M is being spent effectively.
What is the justification for using a Time and Materials contract, and what controls are in place to mitigate cost risks?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are typically used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to change. To mitigate cost risks, the DOE should have implemented strict oversight, regular progress reviews, and potentially, cost ceilings or CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) with defined not-to-exceed amounts for specific tasks. Justification often lies in the dynamic nature of strategic engagement and outreach.
How does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' process ensure fair pricing and adequate competition for public relations services?
Competing under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) allows for more streamlined procurement, often involving fewer bidders than full and open competition. While efficient, it relies on the assumption that the agency has a good understanding of the market and that the selected bidders offer fair and reasonable pricing. The agency must still conduct price analysis to ensure the awarded price is competitive within the SAP framework.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services › Public Relations Agencies
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2325 E CARSON ST FL 2, PITTSBURGH, PA, 15203
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,242,399
Exercised Options: $2,242,399
Current Obligation: $1,538,496
Actual Outlays: $1,220,766
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89243423AEE000009
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-01-31
Current End Date: 2027-01-30
Potential End Date: 2027-01-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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