DOE awards $6.9M for strategic planning and implementation support to Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,913,120 ($6.9M)
Contractor: Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-01-03
End Date: 2026-01-02
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $6.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: BPA ORDER ISSUED UNDER MASTER BPA NUMBER 89303018AIM000002, ESTABLISHED UNDER GSA SCHEDULE CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-0076V, FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (EM), HEADQUARTERS (HQ) STRATEGIC AND PROGRAM PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $6.9 million to EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: BPA ORDER ISSUED UNDER MASTER BPA NUMBER 89303018AIM000002, ESTABLISHED UNDER GSA SCHEDULE CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-0076V, FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (EM), HEADQUARTERS (HQ) STRATEGIC AND PROGRAM PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded under a GSA Schedule BPA, indicating pre-competed services. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks if not managed carefully. 3. The awardee, Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC, is a relatively new entity, raising questions about long-term performance. 4. The contract duration is three years, suggesting a need for sustained support in strategic planning. 5. The geographic location is Washington D.C., a hub for federal agencies and consulting services. 6. The NAICS code 541519 (Other Computer Related Services) appears broad for the described services, warranting further clarification.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $6.9 million over three years for strategic planning and implementation support is within a typical range for federal consulting services. However, without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. The use of a Time and Materials contract type necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain controlled and do not exceed the anticipated value. Benchmarking against similar strategic planning contracts within the Department of Energy or other agencies would provide a clearer picture of cost-effectiveness.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under a GSA Schedule BPA, which itself is a result of full and open competition. This indicates that multiple vendors were considered and evaluated for the master BPA. The specific call order under the BPA likely followed established procedures for fair opportunity, though the number of bidders for this specific order is not detailed. Full and open competition generally promotes competitive pricing and a wider pool of qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment that drives down prices and encourages innovation.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from specialized expertise in strategic planning and program implementation. The contract supports the agency's ability to effectively manage and execute its strategic initiatives. The services are delivered in Washington D.C., impacting federal agency operations. The contract may indirectly support a workforce of consultants and analysts in the D.C. area.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
- The awardee, Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC, may have limited past performance data for large-scale federal contracts.
- The broad NAICS code (541519) might not precisely reflect the specialized nature of the services required.
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge the effectiveness of the support.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a GSA Schedule BPA, indicating a streamlined and pre-vetted procurement process.
- Full and open competition ensures a broad range of potential contractors were considered.
- The contract duration of three years suggests a stable, long-term need for these services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on management and strategic consulting. The federal government is a significant consumer of these services, with spending often concentrated in areas requiring specialized expertise for policy development, program management, and implementation support. The Department of Energy, in particular, requires extensive strategic planning due to its complex mission encompassing energy security, research, and environmental stewardship. Benchmarks for similar strategic planning and program support contracts within federal agencies can range from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars annually, depending on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The awardee, Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC, is identified as an LLC, but its size status (small or large business) is not specified in the provided data. Further investigation would be needed to determine if this contract contributes to overall small business utilization goals within the Department of Energy.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Energy. As it is a Time and Materials contract, rigorous oversight of labor hours, rates, and direct costs is crucial to ensure compliance and prevent overspending. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which track federal spending. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise during the contract's performance.
Related Government Programs
- GSA Federal Supply Schedule
- Strategic Planning Support Services
- Program Management Consulting
- Department of Energy Management and Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Limited public information on the awardee's specific past performance for similar services.
- Broad NAICS code may not fully capture the specialized nature of the services.
- Lack of clearly defined deliverables and performance metrics in the provided data.
Tags
department-of-energy, environmental-management, strategic-planning, program-implementation, consulting-services, gsa-schedule, bpa-call, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, washington-dc, professional-services, naics-541519
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $6.9 million to EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC. BPA ORDER ISSUED UNDER MASTER BPA NUMBER 89303018AIM000002, ESTABLISHED UNDER GSA SCHEDULE CONTRACT NUMBER GS-35F-0076V, FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT (EM), HEADQUARTERS (HQ) STRATEGIC AND PROGRAM PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EVOKE RESEARCH AND CONSULTING, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-01-03. End: 2026-01-02.
What is the specific track record of Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC in delivering similar strategic planning and implementation support to federal agencies?
Information regarding the specific track record of Evoke Research and Consulting, LLC for this type of service is limited in the provided data. As a relatively new entity or one that may not have widely publicized its federal contract history, a deeper dive into contract databases (like FPDS) and potentially past performance references would be necessary. Assessing their experience with similar scope, complexity, and value of projects is crucial for understanding their capability to meet the Department of Energy's needs. Without this detailed history, the assessment of their reliability and effectiveness remains preliminary.
How does the $6.9 million contract value compare to similar strategic planning and implementation support contracts awarded by the Department of Energy or other federal agencies?
The $6.9 million contract value over three years for strategic planning and implementation support is within a moderate range for federal consulting services. Similar contracts within the Department of Energy or other large agencies can vary significantly based on scope, duration, and the specific expertise required. For instance, contracts for broad agency-wide strategic overhauls or complex program implementation could reach tens of millions, while smaller, more focused engagements might be in the low millions. Benchmarking against contracts with similar objectives, such as 'program planning support,' 'strategic initiative management,' or 'policy implementation assistance,' would provide a more precise comparison. The Time and Materials nature of this contract also suggests that the final cost could fluctuate based on actual effort expended.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how will their achievement be measured?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables for this contract. Typically, for strategic planning and implementation support, KPIs might include the timely development of strategic plans, successful rollout of pilot programs, achievement of specific program milestones, quality of analytical reports, or effectiveness of stakeholder engagement strategies. The measurement of these KPIs would be outlined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). Without this information, it is difficult to assess the contractor's expected performance and the agency's ability to hold them accountable for results.
What is the potential risk associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this specific service, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract type is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, plus a fixed fee or percentage. For strategic planning and implementation support, where the scope can sometimes be less defined than in construction or manufacturing, T&M can lead to unpredictable expenditures if not managed diligently. Mitigation strategies typically include establishing clear labor categories with defined rates, setting strong oversight mechanisms to monitor hours worked, implementing ceiling prices or cost limits, and requiring detailed progress reports and justifications for all time and materials expended. The Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers must actively manage this contract to ensure it stays within budget and delivers the intended value.
How does this contract align with the Department of Energy's broader strategic goals and priorities?
This contract, focused on 'Environmental Management (EM), Headquarters (HQ) Strategic and Program Planning and Implementation Support,' directly aligns with the Department of Energy's overarching mission. The EM program is critical for addressing the nation's Cold War nuclear legacy and ensuring safe, secure, and environmentally sound cleanup operations. Strategic planning and implementation support are essential for the efficient and effective execution of these complex, long-term cleanup missions. By providing expertise in these areas, the contract helps DOE navigate policy challenges, optimize resource allocation, and achieve its environmental stewardship objectives, contributing to national security and public health.
What is the significance of this contract being issued under a GSA Schedule BPA, and what does it imply about the procurement process?
Issuing this contract under a GSA Schedule BPA (Blanket Purchase Agreement) signifies that the services were procured through an existing, pre-competed contract vehicle. GSA Schedules are established through full and open competition, meaning vendors have already been vetted for their qualifications and pricing. A BPA is a simplified acquisition method that allows agencies to issue orders against a schedule contract for specific needs. This approach streamlines the procurement process, reduces administrative burden, and often leads to faster delivery of services compared to traditional competitive bidding for each individual requirement. It implies that the Department of Energy leveraged an existing framework to efficiently acquire necessary support.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: DE-SOL-0009586
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 12020 SUNRISE VALLEY DR, RESTON, VA, 20191
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $8,024,677
Exercised Options: $7,924,677
Current Obligation: $6,913,120
Actual Outlays: $6,913,120
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303018AIM000002
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-01-03
Current End Date: 2026-01-02
Potential End Date: 2026-01-02 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-17
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