Department of Energy awards $7.5M task order for technical support services to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,506,372 ($7.5M)
Contractor: Catawba-Tea, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-02-28
End Date: 2025-10-22
Contract Duration: 967 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.8K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 2- EM 5.11, 5.111, AND ICP TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: ROCK HILL, YORK County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29730
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $7.5 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC for work described as: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 2- EM 5.11, 5.111, AND ICP TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. The contract is a delivery order under a larger contract, indicating a specific need for services. 2. The duration of the contract is 967 days, spanning over two years. 3. The contract is for technical support services related to remediation. 4. The award was made to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC. 5. The contract is categorized under Remediation Services. 6. The contract is not subject to small business set-asides. 7. The contract is for Labor Hours. 8. The contract is being performed in South Carolina.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The provided data does not include sufficient information to benchmark the value for money or compare pricing against similar contracts. The total award amount is $7.5 million over approximately 2.6 years. Without details on the specific services rendered, labor rates, or market benchmarks for technical support in remediation services, a definitive assessment of value is not possible. The contract type being 'Labor Hours' can sometimes lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded as 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which typically signifies a sole-source or limited competition scenario. This means that only one vendor was solicited or deemed capable of performing the required services. The lack of broader competition raises questions about whether the government secured the best possible pricing and terms, as there was no direct comparison with other potential providers.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a reduced likelihood of benefiting from competitive pricing that could have driven down costs. It also limits the opportunity for new or smaller businesses to compete for this work.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from specialized technical support for its remediation efforts. Services delivered are technical support for specific task orders related to remediation activities. The geographic impact is primarily in South Carolina, where the contract is being performed. Workforce implications include the employment of personnel by CATAWBA-TEA, LLC to fulfill the contract requirements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to higher costs for taxpayers.
- The 'Labor Hours' contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent scope creep and cost overruns.
- Limited transparency into the specific technical support tasks and their necessity due to sole-source award.
Positive Signals
- Award to a specific contractor suggests they possess unique capabilities or a pre-existing relationship for these technical support services.
- The contract is for a defined period, allowing for focused support on specific remediation projects.
- Performance in South Carolina aligns with potential geographic needs of the Department of Energy's operations.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the broader 'Remediation Services' sector, which is a critical component of environmental management and compliance for government agencies. This sector often involves specialized technical expertise for cleaning up contaminated sites. The market size for such services can be substantial, driven by regulatory requirements and ongoing environmental challenges. This specific task order likely supports the Department of Energy's ongoing efforts in managing and remediating its facilities.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses in the provided data. Therefore, this award does not directly contribute to the small business contracting goals for this specific task order. The impact on the small business ecosystem is neutral to potentially negative if these services could have been performed by small businesses in a competitive environment.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Energy's contracting and program management offices. As a task order under a larger contract, its execution is likely monitored by the agency's contracting officer and technical points of contact. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Technical Support Services
- Department of Energy Contracts
- Remediation and Decontamination
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits price competition.
- Labor hours contract type requires diligent oversight.
- Lack of performance data for contractor.
Tags
department-of-energy, remediation-services, technical-support, delivery-order, sole-source, labor-hours, south-carolina, environmental-services, federal-contract, task-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $7.5 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC. EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 2- EM 5.11, 5.111, AND ICP TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CATAWBA-TEA, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $7.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-02-28. End: 2025-10-22.
What is the specific nature of the technical support services being provided under this task order?
The provided data indicates that the task order is for 'ICP TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES' related to 'EM 5.11, 5.111, AND ICP TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES' within the Department of Energy. While the exact technical tasks are not detailed, 'ICP' often refers to 'Industrial Contamination Prevention' or similar environmental monitoring and management protocols. The services likely involve expert advice, analysis, troubleshooting, and potentially hands-on technical assistance related to environmental remediation projects managed by the Department of Energy, particularly concerning specific sites or programs designated by EM 5.11 and 5.111. The 'Labor Hours' contract type suggests that the contractor will provide personnel to perform these technical support functions as needed.
How does the $7.5 million award compare to historical spending on similar technical support services by the Department of Energy?
Without access to historical spending data specifically for 'ICP Technical Support Services' or similar remediation-focused technical support contracts within the Department of Energy, a direct comparison is not feasible. The $7.5 million award over approximately 2.6 years (967 days) represents an average annual spend of roughly $2.9 million. This figure needs to be contextualized against the scale and complexity of the specific remediation projects being supported. Benchmarking would require identifying comparable task orders or contracts for technical support in environmental remediation, considering factors like scope, duration, and contractor expertise. The sole-source nature of this award also complicates direct value comparisons with competitively bid contracts.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award for technical support services?
The primary risks associated with this sole-source award are related to cost and performance. Firstly, the lack of competition means the Department of Energy may not have secured the most cost-effective solution, potentially leading to higher prices than if multiple vendors had bid. Secondly, the 'Labor Hours' contract type inherently carries a risk of cost escalation if the scope of work is not tightly managed or if the contractor's efficiency is lower than anticipated. Without competitive pressure, there's also a potential risk of complacency in service delivery. Finally, the limited transparency inherent in sole-source awards can make it harder to assess the true value and necessity of the services being rendered.
What is the track record of CATAWBA-TEA, LLC in providing technical support or remediation services to the federal government?
The provided data does not include information on the track record of CATAWBA-TEA, LLC. To assess their performance history, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for past contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar technical support services, their past performance ratings, and their financial stability would be crucial for a comprehensive assessment of their reliability and capability in fulfilling this Department of Energy contract.
How does the contract's duration and value align with the typical lifecycle of remediation projects at the Department of Energy?
The contract duration of 967 days (approximately 2.6 years) and a total value of $7.5 million suggest that this task order is intended to provide sustained technical support for specific, ongoing remediation efforts rather than a short-term, discrete task. Remediation projects, especially those managed by the Department of Energy, can often span many years due to the complexity of environmental cleanup, regulatory requirements, and site-specific challenges. Therefore, a multi-year contract for technical support is not unusual. The value aligns with the need for specialized expertise over an extended period, but its appropriateness would depend on the specific scope and intensity of the support required for the designated remediation activities.
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: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 996 AVENUE OF THE NATIONS, ROCK HILL, SC, 29730
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,506,372
Exercised Options: $7,506,372
Current Obligation: $7,506,372
Actual Outlays: $7,506,372
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303323DEM000087
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-02-28
Current End Date: 2025-10-22
Potential End Date: 2026-03-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-04
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