DOE awards $515K for R&D technical support, with a 329-day duration
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $515,000 ($515.0K)
Contractor: Tecolote Research, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2026-03-06
End Date: 2027-01-29
Contract Duration: 329 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.6K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $515,000 to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. for work described as: PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized R&D support services. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Performance period is relatively short, indicating a focused scope of work. 5. Contractor's specialization aligns with the R&D nature of the services. 6. Geographic location in DC may reflect proximity to agency headquarters.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $515,000 for 329 days of project management and technical support services seems appropriate for specialized R&D assistance. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical support in the R&D sector, this award falls within a typical range. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, which is a positive indicator of value for money, assuming the contractor can deliver within the agreed-upon price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors were likely solicited and had the opportunity to bid. The presence of a competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures the government receives services at a fair market price. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competition type suggests a robust selection process.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it drives down costs through market forces, ensuring that federal dollars are used efficiently and effectively for essential R&D support.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from specialized project management and technical support for its research and development initiatives. Services delivered will likely enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of DOE's R&D projects. The contract's impact is primarily within the federal government's research infrastructure. Workforce implications are likely limited to the contractor's personnel assigned to this specific project.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the quality of technical support.
- Limited duration may indicate a pilot project or a need for future, potentially larger, contracts.
- No information on small business subcontracting, if applicable, is provided.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty.
- Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and fair pricing.
- Contractor specialization in R&D support aligns with the service requirements.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, specifically NAICS code 541712. This sector is crucial for innovation and technological advancement. Federal spending in R&D support services is substantial, with agencies like the Department of Energy relying on external expertise to manage and execute complex research projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for technical consulting and project management within scientific research domains.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from this specific award. The focus was on full and open competition, which may have favored larger, established firms with the capacity to meet the R&D support requirements.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Energy. As a firm fixed-price contract, oversight would focus on ensuring deliverables meet the specified requirements and that the contractor adheres to the contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific performance details may be internal.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Research and Development Programs
- Federal Technical Support Services
- Project Management Services
- Scientific Research and Development Contracts
Risk Flags
- Limited information on specific deliverables and performance metrics.
- Contractor's past performance data not readily available.
- Small business subcontracting plan details are absent.
Tags
research-and-development, project-management, technical-support, department-of-energy, firm-fixed-price, full-and-open-competition, naics-541712, district-of-columbia, bpa-call, moderate-value
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $515,000 to TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.. PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $515,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-03-06. End: 2027-01-29.
What is the specific nature of the 'PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES' being provided to the Department of Energy?
The provided data does not detail the specific tasks encompassed by 'PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES.' However, given the contractor's NAICS code (541712 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences), these services likely involve supporting the planning, execution, monitoring, and closing of specific R&D projects. This could include tasks such as schedule management, risk assessment, budget tracking, technical documentation review, coordination between research teams and stakeholders, and ensuring compliance with scientific protocols and agency directives. The firm fixed-price nature suggests a defined scope of work with clear deliverables expected by the Department of Energy.
How does the contract value of $515,000 compare to similar R&D technical support contracts awarded by the Department of Energy or other federal agencies?
Without access to a comprehensive database of specific R&D technical support contracts, a precise comparison is challenging. However, $515,000 for approximately 11 months (329 days) of specialized support services is a moderate award. Contracts for similar project management and technical support in R&D can range from tens of thousands for very specific, short-term tasks to millions for large-scale, multi-year programs. Given the full and open competition and firm fixed-price structure, this value suggests a well-defined, focused scope of work that the market could competitively price. It is not an exceptionally large or small award in the context of federal R&D support.
What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
Potential risks include scope creep if the project requirements are not clearly defined, contractor underperformance, or unforeseen technical challenges. The primary mitigation strategy employed here is the firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type, which shifts the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. Additionally, the full and open competition process likely selected a contractor with demonstrated capability, reducing performance risk. The relatively short duration (329 days) also limits the exposure to long-term risks. Effective oversight by the Department of Energy's contracting officer and program managers will be crucial for monitoring progress and ensuring adherence to the SOW.
What is the track record of TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC. in performing similar federal contracts, particularly within the Department of Energy?
Information on TECOLOTE RESEARCH, INC.'s specific track record with the Department of Energy or other federal agencies is not provided in the given data. A thorough assessment would require examining their contract history, including past performance evaluations, any reported disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous awards. Companies specializing in R&D support often have a portfolio of similar projects. Further due diligence would involve searching federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for detailed performance information and client feedback.
How does the $515,000 award fit into the broader context of the Department of Energy's spending on Research and Development?
The $515,000 award represents a small fraction of the Department of Energy's overall R&D budget, which typically runs into billions of dollars annually. This contract is likely for a specific, targeted support function within a larger R&D initiative or program. It signifies the agency's reliance on specialized external expertise to augment its internal capabilities for managing and executing complex scientific endeavors. Such awards are common as agencies leverage the private sector for niche skills and project management assistance to ensure efficient progress on their research goals.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 420 S FAIRVIEW AVE, GOLETA, CA, 93117
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $515,000
Exercised Options: $515,000
Current Obligation: $515,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303026APM000003
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-03-06
Current End Date: 2027-01-29
Potential End Date: 2027-01-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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