DOE awards $38.5M for ES&H R&D at Nevada Test Site to Board of Regents, Nevada System of Higher Education
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $38,509,186 ($38.5M)
Contractor: Board of Regents, Nevada System of Higher Education
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2000-01-31
End Date: 2006-07-31
Contract Duration: 2,373 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES IN ES&H AREAIN SUPPORT OF DOE/NV'S MISSIO N RELATED TO THE NV TEST SITE.
Place of Performance
Location: LAS VEGAS, CLARK County, NEVADA, 89119
State: Nevada Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $38.5 million to BOARD OF REGENTS, NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION for work described as: PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES IN ES&H AREAIN SUPPORT OF DOE/NV'S MISSIO N RELATED TO THE NV TEST SITE. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential technical research, engineering, and developmental services in the Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H) area. 2. The awardee is the Board of Regents, Nevada System of Higher Education, indicating a specific institutional relationship. 3. The contract was not competed, raising questions about potential price discovery and value. 4. The sector is Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, a critical area for national missions.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract type is 'COST NO FEE', which can sometimes lead to less price discipline compared to fixed-price contracts. Without competition, it's difficult to benchmark pricing effectively against similar services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
The contract was not competed, suggesting a sole-source or limited competition award. This limits the opportunity for price discovery through market forces and may result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price for these essential R&D services.
Public Impact
Essential R&D services for the Department of Energy's Nevada mission are being provided. The contract supports critical Environmental, Safety, and Health (ES&H) functions at the Nevada Test Site. Long-term contract duration (over 6 years) suggests ongoing and significant support needs. The awardee's specific focus on higher education may leverage academic research capabilities.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Cost-plus-no-fee contract type
Positive Signals
- Award to a system of higher education
- Focus on critical ES&H R&D
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically for Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. Spending in this area is crucial for innovation and national security, but requires careful oversight to ensure value.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities were explored.
Oversight & Accountability
The 'NOT COMPETED' designation warrants further investigation into the justification for sole-source procurement. Oversight should focus on ensuring the necessity of the services and the reasonableness of costs.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to inflated costs.
- Cost-plus-no-fee contract type offers less incentive for cost control.
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to sole-source nature.
- Limited transparency on pricing due to non-competitive award.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-energy, nv, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $38.5 million to BOARD OF REGENTS, NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION. PROVIDE ESSENTIAL TECHNICAL RESEARCH, ENGINEERING, AND DEVELOPMENTAL SERVICES IN ES&H AREAIN SUPPORT OF DOE/NV'S MISSIO N RELATED TO THE NV TEST SITE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is BOARD OF REGENTS, NEVADA SYSTEM OF HIGHER EDUCATION.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $38.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2000-01-31. End: 2006-07-31.
What was the justification for not competing this significant R&D contract?
The justification for not competing this contract is not provided in the data. Typically, sole-source awards are made when only one responsible source is available, or in cases of urgent need or national security requirements. A review of the contract file would be necessary to understand the specific rationale behind this decision and ensure it aligns with federal procurement regulations.
How can the government ensure cost-effectiveness without competition?
Even without competition, the government can ensure cost-effectiveness through robust contract administration, including detailed cost analysis, performance monitoring, and negotiation. For cost-plus contracts, strict adherence to allowable costs and efficient performance incentives are crucial. Regular reviews and audits can help identify potential cost savings and ensure the contractor is operating efficiently.
What is the long-term value of this sole-source R&D investment?
The long-term value hinges on the successful execution of the ES&H R&D services and their contribution to the DOE's mission at the Nevada Test Site. Without competitive benchmarking, assessing the 'value for money' is challenging. However, if the unique capabilities of the Board of Regents are essential and irreplaceable for these specific R&D needs, the investment could be deemed valuable despite the procurement method.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › General Science and Technology R&D Services
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: COST NO FEE (S)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: State of Nevada (UEI: 067808063)
Address: 2601 ENTERPRISE RD, RENO, NV, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $38,509,186
Exercised Options: $38,509,186
Current Obligation: $38,509,186
Timeline
Start Date: 2000-01-31
Current End Date: 2006-07-31
Potential End Date: 2006-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2012-08-14
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