DOE's $39.9M technical assistance contract awarded to North Wind Portage, Inc. for Carlsbad Field Office support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $39,887,477 ($39.9M)
Contractor: North Wind Portage, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2000-11-14
End Date: 2005-11-13
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE CARLSBAD FIELD OFFICE
Place of Performance
Location: IDAHO FALLS, BONNEVILLE County, IDAHO, 83401
State: Idaho Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $39.9 million to NORTH WIND PORTAGE, INC. for work described as: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE CARLSBAD FIELD OFFICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded via full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee, which incentivizes performance but can lead to higher costs. 3. The duration of 1825 days (5 years) indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. The contract was awarded by the Department of Energy, highlighting its focus on technical services. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 6. The contract value of approximately $39.9 million over five years suggests a significant investment in technical support. 7. The award was made by the Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office, indicating a specific operational need. 8. The contract was awarded in 2000, providing historical context for current spending patterns.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the services provided and comparable contracts. The Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) structure means the final cost is dependent on performance, making direct price comparisons difficult. However, the total value over five years averages around $8 million annually, which for specialized technical assistance, may be within a reasonable range, but requires deeper analysis of the deliverables and market rates for similar expertise.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under 'full and open competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of 6 bidders (no) suggests a healthy level of competition for this requirement. This competitive environment is generally favorable for price discovery and potentially achieving better value for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by driving down costs and encouraging innovative solutions from multiple offerors.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Energy's Carlsbad Field Office, which receives essential technical support for its operations. The services delivered are categorized under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' implying a broad range of support functions. The geographic impact is centered around the Carlsbad Field Office, suggesting a focus on regional operational needs within the Department of Energy. Workforce implications include the potential for employment of skilled professionals in scientific, technical, and analytical fields by the contractor.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- The CPAF contract type can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates if award fees are consistently met, requiring careful monitoring of performance metrics and fee structures.
- Lack of specific details on the 'technical assistance' provided makes it difficult to assess the true value and necessity of the contract.
- The long duration (5 years) could indicate a lack of flexibility in adapting to changing technological needs or program requirements.
- The contract was awarded over 20 years ago, making its direct relevance to current spending and best practices questionable without updated context.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, ensuring a broad range of potential contractors could compete.
- The contract structure incentivizes performance through award fees, aiming for high-quality service delivery.
- The Department of Energy's engagement suggests a critical need for specialized technical expertise in its operations.
- The existence of multiple bidders (6) indicates market interest and potential for competitive pricing.
Sector Analysis
The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a significant component of federal contracting. This contract falls under NAICS code 541990, which encompasses a wide array of services not classified elsewhere. Federal spending in this category often supports agency operations, research, and specialized project management. Comparable spending benchmarks would require analyzing other contracts for similar technical assistance across various federal agencies, considering the specific nature of the support required by the Carlsbad Field Office.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication from the provided data that this contract included specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. The contract was awarded via full and open competition, which typically prioritizes the best value offer regardless of business size. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any small business participation occurred through subcontracting opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Carlsbad Field Office. The Cost Plus Award Fee structure necessitates performance monitoring to justify award fees. Transparency would depend on the Department of Energy's public disclosure policies regarding contract awards and performance. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Technical Support Services
- Carlsbad Field Office Operations
- Professional and Technical Services Contracts
- Cost Plus Award Fee Contracts
- Federal Scientific and Technical Services
Risk Flags
- Contract Type Risk (CPAF)
- Potential for Cost Overruns
- Need for Robust Performance Oversight
- Historical Data Relevance
- Specificity of Services Unclear
Tags
department-of-energy, technical-assistance, professional-scientific-technical-services, cost-plus-award-fee, full-and-open-competition, carlsbad-field-office, north-wind-portage-inc, idaho, multi-year-contract, federal-contract-award
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $39.9 million to NORTH WIND PORTAGE, INC.. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE CARLSBAD FIELD OFFICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NORTH WIND PORTAGE, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $39.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-11-14. End: 2005-11-13.
What specific technical assistance was provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract was for 'TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE CARLSBAD FIELD OFFICE' under NAICS code 541990 ('All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'). However, the specific nature of the technical assistance is not detailed. This could range from environmental consulting, engineering support, project management, scientific analysis, or regulatory compliance assistance, all tailored to the needs of the Carlsbad Field Office's operations, which historically has been involved in nuclear waste management and environmental remediation.
How does the $39.9 million contract value compare to similar technical assistance contracts awarded by the Department of Energy?
Comparing the $39.9 million value over five years (approximately $8 million annually) requires access to a database of similar DOE technical assistance contracts. Without specific service details, a direct comparison is difficult. However, for specialized technical support related to complex federal operations like those at the Carlsbad Field Office, this value might be considered moderate. Contracts for large-scale environmental remediation or major engineering projects could easily exceed this amount, while smaller, more focused consulting tasks would be less. A comprehensive benchmark would involve analyzing contracts with similar NAICS codes and scope within the DOE or related agencies.
What were the key performance metrics and award fee criteria used for North Wind Portage, Inc. under this contract?
The data indicates the contract type was 'COST PLUS AWARD FEE' (CPAF). Under a CPAF structure, the contractor is reimbursed for allowable costs plus a fee that consists of a fixed base fee plus a performance-dependent award amount. The specific key performance metrics (KPIs) and award fee criteria are not provided in the data. Typically, these would be defined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) and would relate directly to the quality, timeliness, and efficiency of the technical assistance delivered. Examples could include meeting project milestones, adherence to budget, quality of reports, or successful resolution of technical challenges.
What is the historical spending trend for technical assistance at the Carlsbad Field Office?
This specific contract represents a significant portion of spending for technical assistance at the Carlsbad Field Office during its period of performance (2000-2005). To understand the broader historical trend, one would need to examine spending data for technical assistance contracts awarded to the Carlsbad Field Office both before and after this period. Factors influencing trends could include changes in program priorities, shifts in regulatory requirements, the lifecycle of major projects (e.g., waste disposal operations), and the availability of in-house expertise versus contracted support. Analyzing multiple years of data would reveal whether this $39.9 million contract was an anomaly or part of a consistent spending pattern.
What is the track record of North Wind Portage, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Energy?
The provided data shows North Wind Portage, Inc. as the contractor for this specific $39.9 million Department of Energy contract. To assess their overall track record, a broader search of federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be necessary. This would reveal the number and value of other contracts they have held, the agencies they have served, their performance ratings (if available), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. Their experience with DOE, especially concerning technical assistance or services related to the Carlsbad Field Office's mission, would be particularly relevant for evaluating their capability and reliability.
What are the potential risks associated with a Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF) contract for technical assistance?
CPAF contracts, like this one, carry inherent risks. The primary risk is that the 'award fee' component, designed to incentivize high performance, can lead to higher overall costs if the contractor consistently meets or exceeds performance expectations. This makes final costs less predictable than fixed-price contracts. There's also a risk of 'scope creep' if the definition of 'performance' is not tightly managed, potentially leading to the contractor undertaking tasks beyond the original intent to maximize their fee. Furthermore, the government must invest resources in robust oversight to accurately assess performance and determine appropriate award fees, otherwise, the incentive mechanism may not function as intended, or fees could be paid inappropriately.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: COST PLUS AWARD FEE (R)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1075 S UTAH, STE 200, IDAHO FALLS, ID, 02
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $39,887,477
Exercised Options: $39,887,477
Current Obligation: $39,887,477
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-11-14
Current End Date: 2005-11-13
Potential End Date: 2005-11-13 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-07-11
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