Department of Energy awards $24K task order for VTC system installation in DC building
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,997 ($24.0K)
Contractor: THE Fields Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 119 days
Daily Burn Rate: $202/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: THE PURPOSE FOR THIS TASK ORDER IS TO STUFF CONVECTORS AND INSTALL VTC SYSTEMS IN OTC SUITE 5B-110/148 PER PLAN DRAWINGS #3165.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $23,997.35 to THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE FOR THIS TASK ORDER IS TO STUFF CONVECTORS AND INSTALL VTC SYSTEMS IN OTC SUITE 5B-110/148 PER PLAN DRAWINGS #3165. Key points: 1. Task order focuses on specific construction and installation services. 2. Contract duration is approximately 4 months, indicating a short-term project. 3. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price, which sets a ceiling on costs. 4. The award was not competitively procured, raising questions about price discovery. 5. The project is located in Washington D.C., impacting local construction workforce. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code suggests commercial building construction.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The task order value of $23,997.35 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, the lack of competition for this specific task order prevents a robust assessment of value for money. Without benchmark data for similar VTC installation projects or competitive bids, it's challenging to determine if the price is optimal. The fixed-price nature offers some cost certainty, but the absence of competitive pressure could lead to a less favorable price for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This task order was not available for competition, indicating a sole-source award. The specific reasons for this procurement approach are not detailed in the provided data. A sole-source award means that only one contractor was solicited, which limits the government's ability to explore a range of pricing and service options. This approach can be justified for specialized needs or urgent requirements, but it bypasses the benefits of a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution, as there was no pressure on the contractor to offer the lowest possible price.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from the installation of VTC systems, potentially improving communication and collaboration within its facilities. The project delivers specific construction and installation services for VTC systems. The geographic impact is localized to Washington D.C., specifically within the OTC Suite 5B-110/148. The project may have minor workforce implications for the local construction sector in D.C.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition for this task order limits price discovery and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
- The specific justification for a sole-source award is not provided, raising transparency concerns.
- The small value of the contract makes it difficult to assess true market value without comparable data.
Positive Signals
- The contract is a Firm Fixed Price award, providing cost certainty for the government.
- The project has a defined scope and duration, allowing for clear project management.
- The task order is for essential VTC system installation, supporting operational needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically related to interior fit-outs and technology installations. The market for such services in Washington D.C. is robust, with numerous firms capable of performing VTC installations. However, this particular award was not subject to competitive bidding, making it difficult to benchmark against industry standards or comparable spending. The value is modest, suggesting a specialized or minor upgrade rather than a large-scale construction project.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to involve significant subcontracting opportunities for small businesses based on its limited scope and value. The contractor, THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC, is not specified as a small business in the provided data. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal for this specific task order.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this task order would primarily fall under the Department of Energy's contracting and program management offices. As a task order under a larger contract (implied by 'task order'), the original contract likely has established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of detailed justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Facilities Management
- Federal Building Construction and Renovation
- Information Technology Infrastructure Upgrades
- Video Teleconferencing Systems Procurement
Risk Flags
- Lack of Competition
- Limited Transparency on Justification for Sole Source
Tags
construction, department-of-energy, washington-dc, task-order, firm-fixed-price, sole-source, commercial-building, video-teleconferencing, it-infrastructure
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $23,997.35 to THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC. THE PURPOSE FOR THIS TASK ORDER IS TO STUFF CONVECTORS AND INSTALL VTC SYSTEMS IN OTC SUITE 5B-110/148 PER PLAN DRAWINGS #3165.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $23,997.35.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-07-31.
What is the track record of THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies?
Without access to a comprehensive federal procurement database or specific contract history for THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC, it is difficult to definitively assess their track record. However, their selection for this task order suggests they have met certain qualifications or possess specific capabilities required by the Department of Energy. Further investigation into their past performance ratings, contract awards, and any reported issues on platforms like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary for a thorough evaluation. A positive track record typically involves successful completion of similar projects, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive past performance reviews from government contracting officers.
How does the cost of this VTC installation compare to similar projects within the federal government?
Benchmarking the cost of this $23,997.35 task order for VTC system installation is challenging due to its small value and sole-source nature. Typically, competitive bidding allows for price discovery and comparison against market rates. Without comparable bids or publicly available data on similar VTC installations in federal buildings of comparable size and complexity, it's difficult to ascertain if this price represents good value. Factors like the specific technology used, the complexity of the installation (e.g., existing infrastructure, required modifications), and the labor rates in Washington D.C. would influence the cost. A more detailed scope of work and comparison with industry cost guides would be needed for a robust analysis.
What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for this type of construction task order?
The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for this construction task order is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, the government may not secure the most cost-effective solution. Additionally, there's a risk that the chosen contractor may not be the most qualified or experienced for the specific task, although this is mitigated if the sole-source justification is based on unique capabilities. Transparency is also reduced, as the rationale for not competing the award is not publicly detailed. This can lead to perceptions of favoritism or inefficiency. Ensuring the justification for the sole-source award is robust and documented is crucial for mitigating these risks.
How effective are VTC systems in improving collaboration and operational efficiency within federal agencies like the Department of Energy?
Video Teleconferencing (VTC) systems are generally considered effective tools for enhancing collaboration and operational efficiency within federal agencies. They reduce the need for travel, saving time and costs, and enable real-time communication and meetings among geographically dispersed teams. For agencies like the Department of Energy, which may have multiple sites or require collaboration with external partners, VTC can facilitate quicker decision-making, improve project management, and support knowledge sharing. The effectiveness, however, depends on the quality of the VTC equipment, the reliability of the network, user training, and the integration of these systems into established workflows and communication protocols.
What is the historical spending pattern for VTC system installations and related construction services by the Department of Energy?
Analyzing the historical spending patterns for VTC system installations and related construction services by the Department of Energy would require access to historical contract data, likely spanning several fiscal years. This would involve searching procurement databases for contracts with relevant NAICS codes (e.g., Commercial and Institutional Building Construction, Telecommunications Equipment Installation) and keywords related to VTC systems. Understanding historical spending would reveal trends in contract values, types of procurements (competitive vs. sole-source), and the frequency of such awards. It could also highlight key contractors and identify periods of increased investment in communication infrastructure. Without this specific historical data, it's impossible to provide a detailed analysis of past spending patterns.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Construction › Nonresidential Building Construction › Commercial and Institutional Building Construction
Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION
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: 8001 MANDAN RD APT 101, GREENBELT, MD, 20770
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,997
Exercised Options: $23,997
Current Obligation: $23,997
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303024DMA000036
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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