Energy Department awards $362K for digital library conversion, highlighting IT services for FERC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $362,000 ($362.0K)
Contractor: Standard-Blazar, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-09-16
End Date: 2026-09-15
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $995/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: ADLIB ELIBRARY PDF CONVERSION TOOLS AND CAD MODULES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20426
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $362,000 to STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC for work described as: ADLIB ELIBRARY PDF CONVERSION TOOLS AND CAD MODULES Key points: 1. Contract focuses on modernizing information access through digital conversion. 2. Standard-Blazar, LLC, a private entity, secured this IT services contract. 3. The contract duration is one year, indicating a focused project scope. 4. This award falls under 'Other Computer Related Services,' a broad IT category. 5. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $362,000 for a one-year IT services project appears within a reasonable range for specialized digital conversion and CAD module services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for document digitization and IT support for federal agencies suggests this price is competitive. However, without detailed scope of work and specific deliverables, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price structure helps mitigate cost overruns.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while competition was sought, certain sources may have been excluded based on specific criteria, potentially limiting the breadth of bidders. The exact reasons for excluding other sources are not detailed, which could impact price discovery and the range of innovative solutions considered. Further clarification on the exclusion criteria would be beneficial.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through broader market engagement. However, if the exclusion was based on highly specialized capabilities, it could ensure the best fit for the government's needs.
Public Impact
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff will benefit from modernized access to its digital library. Services include conversion of documents and integration of CAD modules, improving data usability. The impact is primarily within the Department of Energy's IT infrastructure, supporting regulatory functions. Workforce implications are likely minimal, focusing on the contractor's specialized IT personnel.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises questions about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured.
- Lack of detail on source exclusion criteria hinders a full understanding of the procurement process.
- The 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code is broad, potentially masking specific risks or complexities.
Positive Signals
- Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty for the government.
- One-year duration suggests a focused and manageable project scope.
- Award to a single entity implies a clear selection based on perceived qualifications.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector is vast, with specialized segments like digital conversion and CAD software support. Federal agencies increasingly rely on such services to manage and access large volumes of data and technical documentation. Spending in this area is driven by the need for modernization, efficiency, and compliance. Comparable contracts often involve digitization of historical records, software development, and IT infrastructure support, with values varying significantly based on scope and duration.
Small Business Impact
This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award went to Standard-Blazar, LLC, a private entity. Analysis of its size and small business participation status is not provided, but the contract itself does not appear to be structured to specifically benefit the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a larger contract vehicle (implied by 'aw'), oversight might also involve the parent contract's administration. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance metrics and Inspector General involvement would depend on specific project milestones and any identified issues.
Related Government Programs
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission IT Modernization Projects
- Department of Energy Digital Transformation Initiatives
- Government Document Conversion Services
- CAD Software and Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may impact price discovery.
- Lack of detailed scope may increase risk of unmet needs.
- Contractor's specific experience with similar federal projects requires verification.
Tags
it-services, department-of-energy, federal-energy-regulatory-commission, firm-fixed-price, delivery-order, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, other-computer-related-services, district-of-columbia, standard-blazar-llc, it-modernization, document-conversion, cad-modules
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $362,000 to STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC. ADLIB ELIBRARY PDF CONVERSION TOOLS AND CAD MODULES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STANDARD-BLAZAR, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $362,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-16. End: 2026-09-15.
What specific types of documents and CAD modules are being converted, and what is the expected improvement in accessibility and usability?
The provided data does not specify the exact types of documents or CAD modules included in the conversion project. The 'ADLIB ELIBRARY PDF CONVERSION TOOLS AND CAD MODULES' description suggests a focus on technical documentation, engineering drawings, or regulatory filings that require conversion into searchable PDF formats and integration with Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software modules. The expected improvement likely centers on enhanced searchability, easier data retrieval, version control, and compatibility with modern digital workflows within the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). This modernization aims to streamline research, analysis, and decision-making processes for FERC staff by making critical information more readily accessible and usable.
What were the specific criteria for excluding other sources in this 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award?
The provided data does not detail the specific criteria used for excluding other sources in this procurement. 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' typically means that the agency intended to compete the requirement broadly but identified specific reasons to limit the pool of potential offerors. These reasons could include unique technical requirements, proprietary technology, urgent needs that only certain contractors could meet, or prior performance on related work. Without further information from the agency's justification documents (e.g., a Sources Sought notice response analysis or a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition), it is impossible to determine the exact exclusions and their impact on the competitive landscape and final pricing.
How does the $362,000 contract value compare to similar IT conversion projects within the Department of Energy or other federal agencies?
Benchmarking the $362,000 contract value requires comparing it against similar IT conversion projects, specifically those involving document digitization, PDF conversion, and CAD module integration within federal agencies. Projects of this scale (one-year duration, fixed-price) for specialized IT services can range widely. Smaller, focused digitization efforts might fall within this budget, while large-scale archival conversions or complex software integrations could cost significantly more. Given the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code (541519), which is broad, this value appears moderate for a specialized task. However, without knowing the volume of documents, complexity of CAD modules, and specific service levels required, a precise comparison is difficult. It suggests a targeted effort rather than a comprehensive system overhaul.
What is the track record of Standard-Blazar, LLC in performing similar federal IT conversion or CAD-related services?
Information regarding the specific track record of Standard-Blazar, LLC in performing similar federal IT conversion or CAD-related services is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their capabilities, one would typically review their past performance evaluations on federal contracts, their contract history database (e.g., FPDS or SAM.gov), and any specific certifications or experience they highlight. Without this external data, it's presumed the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) vetted the contractor's qualifications and past performance as part of the procurement process. A thorough analysis would require accessing and evaluating these performance records to understand their reliability, quality of work, and experience with similar technologies and government requirements.
What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?
Potential risks for this contract include scope creep if the definition of 'conversion' or 'CAD modules' is not precise, technical challenges in handling legacy data formats, potential delays if the contractor faces resource constraints, and the risk that the delivered solution may not fully meet evolving user needs. Mitigation strategies likely involve clearly defined deliverables and acceptance criteria within the contract, regular progress reviews between FERC and Standard-Blazar, LLC, and potentially phased delivery to allow for early feedback. The fixed-price nature also incentivizes the contractor to manage risks effectively to maintain profitability. The limited competition might also pose a risk if the chosen vendor underperforms, as switching contractors could be complex.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - APLLICATIONS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 89603025Q0056
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 9547 OLD CREEK DR, FAIRFAX, VA, 22032
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $362,000
Exercised Options: $362,000
Current Obligation: $362,000
Actual Outlays: $362,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: NNG15SD70B
IDV Type: GWAC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-16
Current End Date: 2026-09-15
Potential End Date: 2026-09-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
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