DOE's $135M Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Technical Support Services contract awarded to Enterprise Technical Assistance Services Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $135,052,303 ($135.1M)
Contractor: Enterprise Technical Assistance Services Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2019-08-22
End Date: 2025-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,048 days
Daily Burn Rate: $65.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: PORTSMOUTH PADUCAH PROJECT OFFICE (PPPO) TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES (TSS)
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON, FAYETTE County, KENTUCKY, 40513
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $135.1 million to ENTERPRISE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES INC for work described as: PORTSMOUTH PADUCAH PROJECT OFFICE (PPPO) TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES (TSS) Key points: 1. The contract value of $135M over its period of performance represents significant investment in environmental remediation support. 2. The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' indicates a competitive process with specific pre-qualification criteria. 3. The 'Time and Materials' contract type suggests potential for cost variability based on actual labor and material usage. 4. The contract duration of 2048 days (approx. 5.6 years) points to a long-term need for these specialized services. 5. The award to Enterprise Technical Assistance Services Inc. highlights a specific contractor's role in supporting critical government functions. 6. The 'Remediation Services' NAICS code positions this contract within a key environmental management sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value-for-money for this specific contract is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and performance metrics. The 'Time and Materials' pricing structure can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to fixed-price contracts if not managed closely. However, the competitive award process suggests an effort to secure reasonable pricing. Further analysis would require comparing the per-hour rates and material markups against industry standards for similar technical support services in the environmental remediation sector.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which implies that while the competition was open, there were specific criteria or exclusions applied to potential bidders. This suggests a competitive process but potentially with a narrowed field of eligible participants compared to a completely unrestricted full and open competition. The number of bidders (3) indicates a moderate level of competition for this specialized service.
Taxpayer Impact: A moderate level of competition (3 bidders) suggests that taxpayers likely benefited from a reasonably competitive price, though a broader competition might have yielded even greater cost savings.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy and its mission at the Portsmouth Paducah Project Office, ensuring effective management of environmental remediation activities. The services delivered include crucial technical support, likely encompassing project management, engineering, safety, and environmental compliance assistance. The geographic impact is focused on the states where the Portsmouth and Paducah sites are located (Ohio and Kentucky, respectively), supporting local economies through contract activities. Workforce implications include the direct employment of technical professionals by the contractor and potential indirect employment in supporting industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to the Time and Materials contract type if not rigorously monitored.
- The 'Exclusion of Sources' in the competition method could limit the pool of potential providers and potentially impact long-term cost-effectiveness.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical technical support services could pose a risk if performance issues arise.
Positive Signals
- The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating that the selected contractor was deemed capable and offered a competitive proposal.
- The long contract duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services, implying a recognized value and necessity.
- The specific NAICS code for Remediation Services indicates a focus on a critical environmental mission for the DOE.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Remediation Services sector, a critical component of the government's efforts to manage legacy nuclear sites. The market for these services is specialized, requiring expertise in environmental science, engineering, and regulatory compliance. Spending in this sector is often driven by long-term cleanup mandates and government-owned, contractor-operated facilities. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale environmental remediation contracts awarded by agencies like the EPA and DoD.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, the primary impact on small businesses would be through potential subcontracting opportunities. The prime contractor, Enterprise Technical Assistance Services Inc., would determine the extent of small business participation in fulfilling the contract requirements. Without specific subcontracting plans, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are typically embedded within the contract terms, including performance standards, reporting requirements, and potential penalties for non-compliance. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases and public reporting, though detailed operational oversight information may be internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Environmental Management Program
- Portsmouth Site Remedial Action Project
- Paducah Site Remedial Action Project
- Department of Energy Technical Support Services Contracts
- Environmental Remediation Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials Contract Type Risk
- Limited Competition Pool
- Potential for Cost Overruns
- Contractor Performance Risk
Tags
doe, environmental-remediation, technical-support-services, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, definitive-contract, kentucky, portsmouth-paducah-project-office, enterprise-technical-assistance-services-inc, remediation-services, large-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $135.1 million to ENTERPRISE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES INC. PORTSMOUTH PADUCAH PROJECT OFFICE (PPPO) TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES (TSS)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ENTERPRISE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE SERVICES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $135.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-08-22. End: 2025-03-31.
What is the track record of Enterprise Technical Assistance Services Inc. with federal contracts, particularly those related to environmental remediation?
A comprehensive review of Enterprise Technical Assistance Services Inc.'s federal contract history would be necessary to fully assess their track record. This would involve examining past performance evaluations, any contract disputes or terminations, and the types and values of previous contracts awarded to the company. Specifically, looking for experience with Department of Energy (DOE) contracts, especially those involving technical support for remediation projects at sites similar to Portsmouth and Paducah, would provide the most relevant context. A positive history of successful contract completion, adherence to schedules and budgets, and positive past performance reviews would indicate a lower risk associated with this award. Conversely, any significant past issues could raise concerns about the contractor's ability to perform effectively on this substantial contract.
How does the awarded amount of $135 million compare to similar technical support services contracts for environmental remediation?
Comparing the $135 million award to similar contracts requires identifying comparable services, contract durations, and agency scopes. Technical support services for large-scale environmental remediation projects, especially those involving legacy nuclear sites like Portsmouth and Paducah, are inherently complex and costly. Contracts of this magnitude are not uncommon within the Department of Energy's Environmental Management program or for similar large-scale cleanup efforts managed by the Department of Defense or the Environmental Protection Agency. Benchmarking would involve analyzing the average contract value, the number of bidders, and the contract types (e.g., Time and Materials vs. Fixed Price) for similar remediation support services over the past five to ten years. The duration of this contract (nearly six years) also influences the total award value, making direct comparisons to shorter-term contracts less meaningful.
What are the primary risks associated with the 'Time and Materials' contract type for this project?
The primary risk associated with a 'Time and Materials' (T&M) contract type for the Portsmouth Paducah Project Office Technical Support Services is the potential for cost escalation. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials, plus a fee or profit. This structure can lead to higher overall costs if project scope creeps, inefficiencies arise, or if labor and material costs are not tightly controlled and monitored by the government. For taxpayers, this means less predictability in final project costs. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of hours and materials, and strong negotiation of hourly rates are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure value for money. The government must actively manage the contractor's effort to prevent unnecessary work or inflated costs.
How effective are the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' procedures in ensuring optimal value for taxpayer dollars in this context?
The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' (FOCIAS) procedure aims to balance competition with specific requirements. In this context, it suggests that while the competition was open, certain sources were excluded, possibly due to specific technical qualifications, past performance, or security clearances required for the sensitive nature of the Portsmouth and Paducah sites. This approach can ensure that only highly qualified contractors participate, potentially leading to better technical solutions and reduced risk. However, excluding sources inherently limits the competitive pool. The effectiveness in ensuring optimal value depends on whether the exclusions were justified and if the remaining pool still provided sufficient price competition. With three bidders, the competition level was moderate, suggesting some price discovery occurred, but a broader competition might have yielded greater savings if more qualified firms could have participated.
What are the historical spending patterns for technical support services at the Portsmouth and Paducah sites?
Analyzing historical spending patterns for technical support services at the Portsmouth and Paducah sites is crucial for understanding the context of this $135 million award. This would involve examining previous contracts awarded for similar services at these locations, noting their values, durations, and the contractors involved. Understanding whether spending has increased, decreased, or remained relatively stable over time can indicate trends in project complexity, remediation progress, and contracting strategies. For instance, a significant increase in spending might suggest growing challenges or expanded scope, while consistent spending could imply a steady-state operational need. Comparing the current contract's value and duration against historical data provides a baseline for assessing whether this award represents a continuation of established spending levels or a notable shift.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: DE-SOL-0010125
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1100 BETHEL VALLEY RD, OAK RIDGE, TN, 37830
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $184,081,963
Exercised Options: $184,081,963
Current Obligation: $135,052,303
Actual Outlays: $112,349,163
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-08-22
Current End Date: 2025-03-31
Potential End Date: 2025-09-16 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-15
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