Environmental consulting services for Idaho National Laboratory awarded to S & K Federal Services LLC for $5.9 million
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $591,531 ($591.5K)
Contractor: S & K Federal Services LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2024-09-12
End Date: 2027-05-15
Contract Duration: 975 days
Daily Burn Rate: $607/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CONSOLIDATED BUSINESS CENTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND NAVAL REACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: IDAHO FALLS, BONNEVILLE County, IDAHO, 83402
State: Idaho Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $591,531 to S & K FEDERAL SERVICES LLC for work described as: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CONSOLIDATED BUSINESS CENTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND NAVAL REACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed. 3. Performance period extends over 3 years, indicating a need for sustained support. 4. The contractor, S & K Federal Services LLC, is a key provider in this specialized sector. 5. The contract supports critical environmental management and naval reactor services at a major national laboratory. 6. Geographic focus is on Idaho, impacting local environmental initiatives and workforce.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $5.9 million over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting services at a large federal facility. However, without comparable sole-source contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure introduces inherent risk for cost control, suggesting that robust oversight is crucial to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential overruns compared to fixed-price contracts.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances prevent a competitive process. The lack of competition means that taxpayers did not benefit from potential price reductions or innovative solutions that might have emerged from a bidding process.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage market competition to secure the best possible pricing and value for taxpayer dollars.
Public Impact
Benefits the Department of Energy's Environmental Management and Naval Reactors programs. Ensures continued technical support for critical environmental and nuclear safety operations at the Idaho National Laboratory. Impacts the local economy in Idaho through potential employment and business opportunities for the contractor. Supports the safe management and disposal of nuclear waste and related environmental remediation efforts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type increases risk of cost escalation without strict oversight.
- Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
- Long performance period requires sustained vigilance to ensure ongoing value.
Positive Signals
- Contractor likely possesses specialized expertise required for unique environmental and naval reactor support.
- Supports critical national security and environmental protection missions.
- Awarded to a known entity, potentially reducing initial onboarding and ramp-up risks.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, a niche but vital area supporting federal agencies. The market for such specialized services is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms capable of handling complex environmental and regulatory challenges, particularly those involving nuclear materials. Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory compliance, remediation efforts, and the operational needs of facilities like national laboratories.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business set-aside provisions were not applied to this award (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses mandated by this specific contract. The primary contractor, S & K Federal Services LLC, will likely manage the execution of the services, and any subcontracting would be at their discretion, not driven by a set-aside requirement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Given the Time and Materials nature of the award, rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs will be essential to ensure accountability and prevent overspending. Transparency will depend on the agency's reporting practices and the availability of contract performance data.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Nuclear Facility Operations Support
- Naval Reactors Program Support
- Federal Environmental Consulting Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- Time and Materials contract type poses cost overrun risk.
- Requires specialized expertise for nuclear-related environmental services.
Tags
environmental-consulting, department-of-energy, idaho, sole-source, time-and-materials, technical-support, environmental-management, naval-reactors, national-laboratory, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $591,531 to S & K FEDERAL SERVICES LLC. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT CONSOLIDATED BUSINESS CENTER TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE IDAHO NATIONAL LABORATORY ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND NAVAL REACTOR SUPPORT SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is S & K FEDERAL SERVICES LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $591,531.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-12. End: 2027-05-15.
What is the track record of S & K Federal Services LLC in performing similar environmental consulting services for federal agencies, particularly within the Department of Energy?
S & K Federal Services LLC has a history of providing services to federal agencies, including those within the Department of Energy. Their experience often encompasses technical support, program management, and specialized services related to environmental compliance and operations. To fully assess their track record for this specific contract, a deeper dive into past performance evaluations, any past disputes or contract modifications, and the scale and complexity of previously managed projects would be necessary. Information on their success in similar environmental management and naval reactor support roles at other Department of Energy sites would provide further context for their capability to fulfill the requirements of this award.
How does the awarded value of $5.9 million compare to similar environmental consulting contracts for large federal laboratories?
The awarded value of $5.9 million over approximately 3 years for environmental consulting services at the Idaho National Laboratory is within a typical range for specialized support at such a facility. However, a precise benchmark is difficult without knowing the exact scope of services, the specific technical challenges, and the labor mix required. Contracts for environmental management at large federal sites can range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the scale of remediation, operational support, and regulatory complexity. The sole-source nature of this award also means it may not reflect the most competitive pricing achievable in an open market.
What are the primary risks associated with the Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for this environmental consulting service, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the contractor is reimbursed for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not managed stringently. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust government oversight, including detailed review of timesheets, labor rates, and material costs; establishing cost ceilings; and defining clear task orders with performance metrics. The Department of Energy will need to actively manage the contractor's effort to ensure that work is performed efficiently and within budget expectations, which is critical for a contract of this duration and value.
What is the significance of supporting both Environmental Management and Naval Reactor Support Services under a single contract?
Consolidating support for both Environmental Management and Naval Reactor Services under a single contract suggests a strategic approach by the Department of Energy to streamline operations and leverage synergistic expertise. Environmental Management typically deals with the cleanup and disposal of hazardous and radioactive waste, while Naval Reactor Support Services are critical for the safe operation and maintenance of nuclear propulsion plants for the Navy. Combining these functions may allow for shared resources, integrated safety protocols, and a more holistic approach to managing the complex environmental and safety challenges associated with nuclear materials and facilities at the Idaho National Laboratory. This integration can potentially lead to efficiencies and improved coordination.
What historical spending patterns exist for environmental consulting services at the Idaho National Laboratory, and how does this award fit within them?
Historical spending on environmental consulting services at the Idaho National Laboratory has likely been substantial, given the site's long history of nuclear research, development, and waste management. The $5.9 million award for this period represents a significant, but not necessarily unprecedented, investment. Analyzing past contracts for similar services, their durations, values, and the contractors involved would provide a clearer picture. This current award, being sole-source and for a defined period, suggests a continuation or specific need for S & K Federal Services LLC's expertise, rather than a broad expansion or reduction in overall spending for such services at the facility.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
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: 63066 OLD HIGHWAY 93 STE F, SAINT IGNATIUS, MT, 59865
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $1,077,143
Exercised Options: $1,077,143
Current Obligation: $591,531
Actual Outlays: $114,530
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303320DEM000035
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-12
Current End Date: 2027-05-15
Potential End Date: 2027-05-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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