DOE's $53.8K ceiling light replacement contract awarded to The Fields Group, LLC for District of Columbia facility
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,795 ($53.8K)
Contractor: THE Fields Group, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-04-08
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 114 days
Daily Burn Rate: $472/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Construction
Official Description: 1E-256 CEILING LIGHT REPLACEMENT PER SCOPE OF WORK AND DRAWING # 3198
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $53,795 to THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC for work described as: 1E-256 CEILING LIGHT REPLACEMENT PER SCOPE OF WORK AND DRAWING # 3198 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a targeted facility upgrade. 2. Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential for competitive savings. 3. Short performance period suggests a focused scope of work. 4. Fixed-price contract shifts performance risk to the contractor. 5. Contract is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger IDIQ or framework. 6. Geographic focus on Washington D.C. limits broader applicability.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $53.8K for ceiling light replacement is difficult to benchmark without detailed scope of work and specific fixture types. However, for a facility upgrade in a high-cost area like Washington D.C., the amount seems within a plausible range for a limited scope. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government, but the lack of competitive bidding prevents a direct comparison of value against other potential providers.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one contractor, The Fields Group, LLC, was solicited. This significantly limits the opportunity for price competition and may result in a higher price than if multiple bids were considered. The rationale for a sole-source award is not provided, but it typically stems from unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific circumstances where competition is not feasible or advantageous.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these lighting upgrades. Without bids from other firms, it's impossible to determine if the awarded price reflects market rates or if savings could have been achieved through a competitive process.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the occupants of the Department of Energy facility in Washington D.C., who will experience improved lighting. The service delivered is the replacement of ceiling lights, likely aimed at modernization, energy efficiency, or repair. The geographic impact is confined to the specific DOE facility located in the District of Columbia. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team for installation, with no significant job creation expected.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential taxpayer savings.
- Lack of detailed scope and performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
- Short contract duration might indicate a rushed process or limited project complexity.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
- Contract is for a specific, tangible facility improvement (lighting).
- Awarded to a single entity, potentially simplifying management if they have prior knowledge of the facility.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Commercial and Institutional Building Construction sector, specifically focusing on facility maintenance and upgrades. Spending in this sector for government facilities is ongoing, covering a wide range of repairs, renovations, and modernization projects. Benchmarking this specific lighting replacement is difficult without more detail, but general construction and renovation costs in the D.C. area are typically higher than national averages.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The Fields Group, LLC, and there is no indication of it being a small business set-aside. The contract value is relatively small, which could potentially be suitable for small businesses. However, without further information on the contractor's size or subcontracting plans, its impact on the small business ecosystem remains unclear.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Energy's contracting officer and program managers. Accountability is managed through the fixed-price contract terms, requiring completion according to the scope of work. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and lack of publicly available detailed justification. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Facility Maintenance
- Federal Building Modernization Projects
- Commercial Lighting Installation Contracts
- General Services Administration (GSA) Building Operations
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
- Limited data on scope of work and specific deliverables.
- Contractor performance history not readily available.
Tags
construction, department-of-energy, district-of-columbia, facility-maintenance, lighting-replacement, sole-source, fixed-price, delivery-order, commercial-building, small-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $53,795 to THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC. 1E-256 CEILING LIGHT REPLACEMENT PER SCOPE OF WORK AND DRAWING # 3198
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 $53,795.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-07-31.
What is the specific scope of work and the types of ceiling lights being replaced?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'CEILING LIGHT REPLACEMENT PER SCOPE OF WORK AND DRAWING # 3198'. However, the specific details of the scope of work and the exact types of ceiling lights (e.g., fluorescent, LED, high-intensity discharge) are not included in the abbreviated data. This information is crucial for understanding the complexity of the task, the materials involved, and for accurately benchmarking the cost. Without these details, it's difficult to assess if the $53.8K price is justified for the actual work performed.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The data explicitly states the contract type is 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION', implying a sole-source award. The specific justification for this determination is not provided. Common reasons for sole-source awards include unique contractor capabilities, urgent and compelling needs where competition is impractical, or if the contract is a logical follow-on to a previous contract awarded competitively. Without this justification, it's impossible to evaluate whether this was the most appropriate procurement method and if it served the government's best interest.
How does the $53.8K contract value compare to similar lighting replacement projects in federal facilities?
Direct comparison is challenging without knowing the exact scope, number of fixtures, type of fixtures, and labor rates. However, $53.8K for a lighting replacement project, especially in a high-cost area like Washington D.C., could be reasonable for a moderate number of fixtures or a complex installation. For instance, replacing 50-100 standard office light fixtures with LED equivalents might fall within this range. Larger projects involving thousands of fixtures or specialized lighting systems would naturally cost significantly more. The sole-source nature prevents a direct competitive benchmark.
What is the track record of The Fields Group, LLC with the Department of Energy or similar federal agencies?
The provided data identifies 'THE FIELDS GROUP, LLC' as the contractor. However, it does not include information regarding their past performance, track record with the Department of Energy (DOE), or experience with similar federal agencies. A thorough analysis would require accessing contract performance databases (like CPARS) to assess their history of meeting deadlines, quality standards, and budget adherence on previous government contracts. This information is vital for understanding the risk associated with this award.
What are the expected energy savings or performance improvements from these new ceiling lights?
The data provided does not specify the type of lights being replaced or the new lights being installed. Therefore, it is impossible to quantify the expected energy savings or performance improvements. Typically, lighting replacement projects, especially those involving a transition to LED technology, aim to reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs. A comprehensive analysis would require details on the wattage and efficiency of the old versus new fixtures to estimate these benefits.
What is the historical spending pattern for ceiling light replacements at this specific Department of Energy facility?
The provided data is for a single contract action and does not offer historical spending information for this specific facility or for ceiling light replacements in general. To analyze historical spending patterns, one would need access to broader contract databases or the agency's procurement history for this location. Understanding past investments in lighting upgrades would help contextualize the current $53.8K award and identify trends or potential under/over-spending in this area.
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: $53,795
Exercised Options: $53,795
Current Obligation: $53,795
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: 2026-04-08
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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