DOE awards $394K contract for environmental consulting to Edward Holmes, Inc. with no competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,946,228 ($3.9M)
Contractor: Edward Holmes, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2021-11-30
End Date: 2026-11-30
Contract Duration: 1,826 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PPPO CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD (CAB) SITE SPECIFIC ADVISORY BOARDS (SSAB) SUPPORT
Place of Performance
Location: LEXINGTON, FAYETTE County, KENTUCKY, 40507
State: Kentucky Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $3.9 million to EDWARD HOLMES, INC. for work described as: PPPO CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD (CAB) SITE SPECIFIC ADVISORY BOARDS (SSAB) SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Edward Holmes, Inc. for environmental consulting services. 2. No competition was identified for this procurement. 3. The contract has a duration of 1826 days. 4. The total award amount is $394,622.80. 5. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price type.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $394,622.80 over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without comparable contracts or detailed scope, assessing value for money is difficult. The lack of competition raises concerns about potentially paying above market rates.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited source selection process. This approach may restrict price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitive bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition limits the government's ability to secure the best possible price, potentially resulting in a less efficient use of taxpayer funds.
Public Impact
Citizens and Site Specific Advisory Boards will receive support for their environmental consulting needs. The Department of Energy will benefit from specialized environmental consulting services. Taxpayers may be impacted by the cost of services procured without competitive bidding.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment due to limited price discovery
- Long contract duration without clear performance metrics
Positive Signals
- Addresses specific environmental consulting needs for advisory boards
- Firm Fixed Price contract provides cost certainty
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under Environmental Consulting Services (NAICS 541620). Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project scope and regulatory requirements. Without benchmarks for similar advisory board support, it's hard to gauge if this price is competitive.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were considered or if opportunities were missed.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight is crucial given the sole-source nature of this award. The Department of Energy should ensure robust monitoring of contract performance and expenditures to justify the lack of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition raises concerns about price reasonableness.
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to limited source selection.
- Long contract duration may not reflect current market conditions or evolving needs.
- Absence of small business participation noted.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, department-of-energy, ky, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $3.9 million to EDWARD HOLMES, INC.. PPPO CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD (CAB) SITE SPECIFIC ADVISORY BOARDS (SSAB) SUPPORT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EDWARD HOLMES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-11-30. End: 2026-11-30.
What specific environmental consulting services are being provided to the advisory boards, and how do these services directly benefit the Department of Energy's mission?
The contract supports the PPPO Citizens Advisory Board (CAB) and Site Specific Advisory Boards (SSAB) with environmental consulting. These services likely involve providing technical expertise, analysis, and recommendations on environmental matters relevant to DOE operations and cleanup activities, ensuring informed public participation and decision-making.
What is the justification for awarding this contract without competition, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing?
The data states the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' implying a sole-source or limited-source justification. The agency should have documented the rationale, such as unique capabilities of the contractor or urgent need. Fair and reasonable pricing would typically be assessed through market research or comparison to historical data, though this is harder without competition.
How will the effectiveness of Edward Holmes, Inc.'s environmental consulting services be measured over the 1826-day contract period to ensure value for taxpayer money?
Effectiveness should be measured through defined performance metrics and deliverables outlined in the contract. Regular reviews of reports, analyses, and recommendations provided by Edward Holmes, Inc., along with feedback from the advisory boards and DOE program managers, will be essential to gauge the quality and impact of the services.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 815 WEST MARKET STREET SUITE 304, LOUISVILLE, KY, 40202
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,887,926
Exercised Options: $4,887,926
Current Obligation: $3,946,228
Actual Outlays: $3,707,587
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-11-30
Current End Date: 2026-11-30
Potential End Date: 2026-11-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-23
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