Department of Energy awards $2.8M task order for technical support services to Catawba-TEA, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,835,887 ($2.8M)
Contractor: Catawba-Tea, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-03-07
End Date: 2025-10-22
Contract Duration: 960 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 3- 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 $2.8 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC for work described as: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 3- EM 5.11, 5.111, AND ICP TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Task order duration of 960 days suggests a need for sustained support. 3. Focus on technical support for specific systems (EM 5.11, 5.111, ICP) indicates specialized requirements. 4. The award value is modest, suggesting it may be a component of a larger program. 5. No small business set-aside, raising questions about opportunities for smaller firms. 6. The contract type is labor hours, which can be less predictable in final cost than fixed-price.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award value of $2.8 million for technical support services appears reasonable given the 960-day duration. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark the pricing against market rates or other similar contracts. The labor hours contract type also introduces variability in the final cost. Further analysis would require understanding the specific labor categories and rates involved.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This task order was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when a specific contractor is uniquely qualified or when urgency precludes a full and open competition. The lack of competition means there were no other bidders, and therefore no direct price comparison from multiple sources.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there is a higher risk of paying a non-competitive price. Without competing offers, the government may not achieve the best possible value.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from continued technical support for critical systems. Personnel with expertise in EM 5.11, 5.111, and ICP will maintain system functionality. The services are likely to be performed at a DOE facility, with a primary geographic impact in South Carolina. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the DOE's operational framework.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure on pricing.
- Labor-hours contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Award to an established entity (Catawba-TEA, LLC) suggests potential for reliable service delivery.
- Task order addresses specific technical needs, indicating targeted support.
- Longer duration suggests a stable, ongoing requirement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on remediation and technical support for government systems. The market for such services is competitive, but sole-source awards can bypass this. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific technical expertise required, but general IT and technical support services for federal agencies represent a significant portion of government IT spending.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This means that opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific award are limited. The overall impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular contract is minimal, as it was awarded directly to a single entity.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the Department of Energy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance standards outlined in the contract. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details are generally available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy IT Support Services
- Environmental Management Technical Support
- Remediation Services Contracts
- Federal Technical Consulting Services
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award may result in higher costs.
- Labor-hours contract type carries inherent cost uncertainty.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Tags
department-of-energy, technical-support, remediation-services, sole-source, labor-hours, task-order, south-carolina, environmental-management, it-support, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.8 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC. EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 3- 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 $2.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-07. End: 2025-10-22.
What is the track record of Catawba-TEA, LLC with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies?
Information on Catawba-TEA, LLC's specific track record with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes on previous federal contracts. Understanding their experience with similar technical support services, particularly within the environmental management or specific system domains (EM 5.11, 5.111, ICP), would be crucial for assessing their capability and reliability for this task order. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their performance context beyond the current award.
How does the value of this task order compare to similar technical support contracts awarded by the Department of Energy?
Direct comparison of this $2.8 million task order's value to similar contracts is challenging without more specific data on the scope of work and labor categories. However, the duration of 960 days (approximately 2.6 years) suggests a sustained need for services. If this task order involves highly specialized technical expertise for critical systems, the price might be within a reasonable range. Conversely, if the services are more general IT support, the cost per day could be higher than average. Benchmarking would require access to a database of comparable DOE technical support contracts, ideally with similar service requirements and contract types (labor hours).
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source award for technical support services?
The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for a non-competitive price, meaning the Department of Energy may not be achieving the best possible value for its investment. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible rates. Another risk is contractor performance; while Catawba-TEA, LLC is awarded the contract, the lack of competitive pressure might indirectly affect the urgency or quality of service delivery compared to a highly contested bid. Furthermore, the labor-hours contract type introduces cost uncertainty, as the final price can fluctuate based on the actual hours worked, posing a budget risk if not meticulously managed and monitored.
How effective is the Department of Energy in managing labor-hours contracts to ensure value and prevent cost overruns?
The effectiveness of the Department of Energy (DOE) in managing labor-hours contracts can vary significantly across different programs and contracting officers. Generally, federal agencies employ various mechanisms to manage such contracts, including detailed work breakdown structures, regular progress reviews, ceiling limitations, and robust oversight by contracting officers' representatives (CORs). The DOE, like other large agencies, has established procurement regulations and best practices. However, the inherent nature of labor-hours contracts makes them susceptible to cost overruns if not diligently monitored for scope creep, efficiency, and accurate labor hour reporting. Success often depends on the specific expertise of the COR and the contractor's commitment to efficient performance.
What is the historical spending pattern for technical support services within the Department of Energy's relevant program offices?
Historical spending patterns for technical support services within the Department of Energy (DOE) are likely substantial, given the agency's complex mission involving energy research, development, regulation, and environmental cleanup. Specific program offices, such as those related to Environmental Management (EM) or specific energy technology directorates, would have dedicated budgets for technical support. Analyzing historical spending would involve examining annual procurement data for categories like 'technical services,' 'IT support,' 'engineering consulting,' and 'remediation support' within relevant DOE components. This data could reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and primary contractors, providing context for the current $2.8 million task order.
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: $2,835,887
Exercised Options: $2,835,887
Current Obligation: $2,835,887
Actual Outlays: $2,835,887
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: 2023-03-07
Current End Date: 2025-10-22
Potential End Date: 2026-03-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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