Department of Energy's $60.6M contract for classification support services awarded to Excalibur Associates Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $60,650,825 ($60.7M)
Contractor: Excalibur Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2008-02-01
End Date: 2013-10-31
Contract Duration: 2,099 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROVIDE SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION POLICY GUIDANCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT RECIEW AND ANALYSIS FOR THE OFFICE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY.
Place of Performance
Location: BROOMFIELD, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80021
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $60.7 million to EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: PROVIDE SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION POLICY GUIDANCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT RECIEW AND ANALYSIS FOR THE OFFICE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY. Key points: 1. The contract provided specialized technical, analytical, and administrative support for classification and declassification policy guidance, training, and document review. 2. Services were delivered over a nearly 6-year period, indicating a sustained need for these specialized functions. 3. The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources,' suggesting a competitive process with specific justifications for source exclusion. 4. The total award value of $60.6 million represents a significant investment in maintaining national security and information control protocols. 5. The contract's performance period spanned from February 2008 to October 2013. 6. The contractor, Excalibur Associates Inc., has a track record in providing similar support services to government agencies.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award value of $60.6 million over approximately 5.75 years averages to about $10.5 million annually. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for specialized technical and administrative support services in the federal government is challenging without more specific service details. However, the cost-plus-award-fee (CPA) contract type suggests that performance incentives were in place, potentially driving value. The absence of detailed performance metrics makes a definitive value assessment difficult, but the duration and scale indicate a substantial, ongoing requirement.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This designation implies that while the competition was generally open, specific sources were excluded for reasons not detailed in the provided data. The number of bidders is not specified, but the 'full and open' nature suggests a competitive solicitation process aimed at obtaining the best value. The exclusion of sources warrants further investigation into the justification and potential impact on the competitive landscape.
Taxpayer Impact: The 'full and open competition' aspect is generally favorable for taxpayers, as it aims to foster a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and service quality. However, the 'exclusion of sources' element introduces a potential concern regarding the breadth of competition and whether the most cost-effective solutions were fully explored.
Public Impact
The Office of Health, Safety and Security within the Department of Energy benefited from specialized support in managing classified information. Services included the development of classification and declassification policy guidance, crucial for national security. Training was provided to personnel, enhancing the agency's internal capabilities for handling sensitive information. Technical review and analysis of classified documents ensured compliance and security protocols were maintained. The contract supported the agency's mission to protect national security information and promote safety and security across DOE operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The 'exclusion of sources' in a full and open competition raises questions about the extent of true market competition and potential limitations on innovation or cost savings.
- Lack of specific performance metrics or outcomes makes it difficult to fully assess the effectiveness and value for money delivered by the contractor.
- The cost-plus-award-fee structure, while incentivizing performance, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not carefully managed and monitored.
Positive Signals
- The contract was awarded through a full and open competition, indicating an effort to solicit proposals from a wide range of qualified vendors.
- The sustained duration of the contract (nearly 6 years) suggests the contractor successfully met the agency's needs over an extended period.
- The provision of specialized technical, analytical, and administrative support addresses critical national security functions related to classification and declassification.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on consulting services related to information security and policy. The market for such services is characterized by a need for specialized expertise in areas like classification, declassification, and regulatory compliance. Government agencies frequently contract for these services to maintain national security, manage sensitive information, and ensure adherence to complex legal and policy frameworks. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within the broader category of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690), though specific data for classification support is niche.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus, as the contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and there is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses (sb: false). This suggests that the competition was likely geared towards larger, established firms with the specialized capabilities required for classification and declassification support. The absence of small business set-asides means that opportunities for smaller entities in this specific contract were limited, potentially impacting the broader small business ecosystem's access to this particular type of federal work.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Office of Health, Safety and Security. As a cost-plus-award-fee contract, performance monitoring and evaluation would be critical to ensure the contractor met defined objectives and earned award fees appropriately. Transparency would be facilitated through standard federal procurement reporting mechanisms. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's execution.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Information Security Programs
- National Nuclear Security Administration Security Services
- Federal Classification and Declassification Policy Management
- Government Information Assurance Contracts
- Technical Consulting Services for National Security Agencies
Risk Flags
- Potential limitation of competition due to source exclusion.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics for value assessment.
- Cost-plus-award-fee structure requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Tags
department-of-energy, classification-support, declassification-policy, technical-consulting, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, excalibur-associates-inc, national-security, information-security, federal-contract, office-of-health-safety-and-security, colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $60.7 million to EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC. PROVIDE SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF CLASSIFICATION AND DECLASSIFICATION POLICY GUIDANCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND TECHNICAL CLASSIFIED DOCUMENT RECIEW AND ANALYSIS FOR THE OFFICE OF HEALTH, SAFETY AND SECURITY.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is EXCALIBUR ASSOCIATES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $60.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2008-02-01. End: 2013-10-31.
What was the specific justification for excluding certain sources in this 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award?
The designation 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' indicates that while the solicitation was broadly advertised, specific potential sources were intentionally excluded. The precise justification for these exclusions is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such exclusions might be based on factors like a lack of required specialized expertise, inability to meet security clearance requirements, past performance issues, or specific national security considerations that limit the pool of eligible contractors. Without further documentation from the solicitation or award process, the exact reasons remain unknown. This exclusion could potentially limit the breadth of competition and may warrant further investigation to ensure the government secured the best possible value and that the exclusions were fully justified and documented.
How did the performance of Excalibur Associates Inc. compare to expectations under this contract?
Assessing Excalibur Associates Inc.'s performance requires access to the contract's performance evaluations, award fee determinations, and any contractor performance assessment reporting (CPAR) data. The provided data indicates the contract was awarded and completed, suggesting a baseline level of acceptable performance. The contract type, Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), implies that performance was evaluated against specific criteria, and the contractor could earn additional fee based on exceeding expectations. However, without the specific performance ratings or feedback, it is impossible to definitively state how well Excalibur Associates Inc. performed relative to the contract's objectives. The sustained duration could imply satisfactory performance, but detailed metrics are needed for a comprehensive evaluation.
What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the contractor's success in providing classification and declassification support?
The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used for this contract. However, for a contract focused on classification and declassification policy guidance, training, and document review, typical KPIs might include: timeliness of policy development and updates, accuracy and consistency in document reviews, effectiveness of training programs (measured by participant feedback or knowledge retention), adherence to security protocols, and responsiveness to agency requests. For a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract, these KPIs would be explicitly defined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) and used by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to determine the contractor's eligibility for award fees. Without the PWS, the specific metrics remain unknown.
What is the typical annual spending for similar classification and declassification support services across the federal government?
Determining precise federal spending benchmarks for 'classification and declassification support services' is challenging due to the specialized nature and varied terminology used across agencies. However, this contract's annual value averaged approximately $10.5 million ($60.6M / ~5.75 years). This figure can be compared to broader categories of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) or 'Security, Investigation, and Process Servers' (NAICS 5616). Publicly available data from sources like USAspending.gov might reveal spending trends for agencies with significant national security missions (e.g., DoD, Intelligence Community, DOE) on related services. However, direct comparisons require careful consideration of the scope, complexity, and specific deliverables of each contract.
Were there any identified risks or challenges associated with this contract during its performance period?
The provided data does not explicitly list risks or challenges encountered during the contract's performance. However, potential risks inherent in such contracts often include: changes in classification policy or regulations requiring rapid adaptation, security breaches or compromises related to the sensitive information handled, difficulties in recruiting and retaining personnel with the necessary security clearances and expertise, contractor performance issues impacting critical national security functions, and budget fluctuations affecting the contract's funding. The 'exclusion of sources' might also indicate pre-identified risks associated with certain potential bidders or market conditions. A thorough risk assessment would typically be part of the contract's management plan.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 10900 DOVER ST, WESTMINSTER, CO, 80021
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $60,772,968
Exercised Options: $60,772,968
Current Obligation: $60,650,825
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2008-02-01
Current End Date: 2013-10-31
Potential End Date: 2017-02-07 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-02-10
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