Department of Energy awards $2.4M remediation services task order to Catawba-Tea, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,397,381 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Catawba-Tea, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-03-03
End Date: 2026-03-31
Contract Duration: 1,124 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 4- EM 5.22 OFFICE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $2.4 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC for work described as: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 4- EM 5.22 OFFICE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive price discovery. 2. Task order duration extends over two years, indicating a medium-term project. 3. Remediation services are critical for environmental cleanup and compliance. 4. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. Geographic focus is Washington D.C., a high-cost area for services. 6. No small business set-aside was utilized for this specific task order.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount is $2,397,380.65. Without comparable sole-source remediation contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is difficult. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not closely managed, especially given the two-year duration. Benchmarking against similar remediation projects in the D.C. area would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded as a sole-source, not available for competition. This means only one vendor, Catawba-Tea, LLC, was considered for this specific task order. The lack of competition means that pricing was not tested against market alternatives, potentially leading to a higher cost for the government than if multiple bids had been solicited.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to secure the best possible pricing through competitive bidding, potentially resulting in taxpayer funds being spent at a premium.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from essential environmental remediation services. Services are delivered within the District of Columbia. The contract supports the agency's environmental stewardship and compliance obligations. Workforce implications include employment for skilled remediation professionals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
- Limited transparency on contractor's specific cost structure for T&M.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical environmental remediation needs for the Department of Energy.
- Long-term contract duration allows for project continuity.
- Focus on a specific geographic area (DC) can ensure localized expertise.
Sector Analysis
The remediation services sector is a vital part of environmental management and compliance for government agencies. This contract falls under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. While specific market size data for sole-source remediation contracts is not readily available, the federal government consistently spends billions annually on environmental services, including cleanup, waste management, and site remediation. This contract represents a small portion of that overall spending.
Small Business Impact
This specific task order was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have a subcontracting plan requirement based on the provided data. The award to Catawba-Tea, LLC, a single entity, does not directly indicate opportunities for small businesses within this particular contract's scope. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Catawba-Tea, LLC is a small business itself or if subcontracting opportunities exist.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the Department of Energy's Office of Project Management and potentially its Office of Inspector General, given the nature of federal contracts. Transparency is limited by the sole-source award and T&M structure, making detailed performance and cost oversight crucial. Regular reporting and milestone reviews would be key accountability measures.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Department of Energy Contracts
- Sole Source Procurements
- Time and Materials Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Time and Materials contract type poses cost control risks.
- Lack of detailed scope of work in provided data.
Tags
department-of-energy, remediation-services, sole-source, time-and-materials, environmental-services, district-of-columbia, delivery-order, professional-scientific-and-technical-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.4 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC. EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 4- EM 5.22 OFFICE OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT
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 $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-03. End: 2026-03-31.
What is Catawba-Tea, LLC's track record with the Department of Energy and other federal agencies?
Information on Catawba-Tea, LLC's specific track record with the Department of Energy (DOE) and other federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive review would require accessing federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS to examine past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues or successes. Understanding their experience with similar remediation projects, their on-time and on-budget performance, and any past disputes or contract terminations would be crucial for assessing their reliability and capability for this task order.
How does the $2.4 million award compare to similar remediation services contracts awarded by the DOE?
Comparing this $2.4 million award to similar remediation services contracts by the DOE is challenging without more specific data on the scope and nature of the work. Remediation projects can vary significantly in complexity, duration, and geographic location, all of which impact cost. However, federal spending databases can be queried for contracts with similar NAICS codes (e.g., 562910 for Remediation Services) and agencies to identify a range of award values. Given this is a sole-source, Time and Materials award, it is important to benchmark against contracts that also utilized these methods to ensure a fair comparison of pricing and value.
What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source, Time and Materials contract for remediation services?
The primary risks associated with a sole-source, Time and Materials (T&M) contract for remediation services include potential cost overruns and a lack of competitive pricing. Since only one vendor is selected, there's no competitive pressure to offer the lowest price. The T&M structure means the government pays for the labor hours and materials used, which can become more expensive than a fixed-price contract if the project scope is not well-defined or if inefficiencies arise. For remediation, unforeseen site conditions can also drive up costs significantly under a T&M arrangement. Robust oversight and clear task definitions are critical to mitigate these risks.
What is the expected effectiveness of the remediation services to be delivered under this task order?
The expected effectiveness of the remediation services under this task order hinges on the specific objectives outlined in the task order's statement of work, which is not provided. Generally, remediation services aim to clean up contaminated sites, mitigate environmental hazards, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The effectiveness will be measured by the successful completion of these objectives, such as achieving target cleanup levels, restoring the site's environmental integrity, and preventing further contamination. The Department of Energy's project management and oversight will be key to ensuring the contractor delivers effective services.
What are the historical spending patterns for remediation services by the Department of Energy?
Historical spending patterns for remediation services by the Department of Energy are substantial, reflecting the agency's responsibility for managing legacy environmental issues from past nuclear weapons production and energy research activities. The DOE consistently allocates significant portions of its budget to environmental management, including site cleanup, waste disposal, and long-term stewardship. Annual spending can fluctuate based on project priorities, available funding, and the lifecycle of major cleanup initiatives. Analyzing past DOE budget requests and contract awards for environmental services would reveal trends in spending levels and the types of remediation activities prioritized over time.
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: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
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: $2,397,381
Exercised Options: $2,397,381
Current Obligation: $2,397,381
Actual Outlays: $2,397,381
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: 2023-03-03
Current End Date: 2026-03-31
Potential End Date: 2026-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-31
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