DOE's $11.27M contract for nuclear research consulting awarded to Longenecker & Associates, LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,274,279 ($11.3M)

Contractor: Longenecker & Associates, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2007-01-30

End Date: 2012-11-30

Contract Duration: 2,131 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day

Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONSULTING&FACILITATION SERVICES FOR ADVANCED NUCLEAR RESEARCH

Place of Performance

Location: DEL MAR, SAN DIEGO County, CALIFORNIA, 92014

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $11.3 million to LONGENECKER & ASSOCIATES, LLC for work described as: CONSULTING&FACILITATION SERVICES FOR ADVANCED NUCLEAR RESEARCH Key points: 1. Contract value of $11.27 million over approximately 5 years. 2. Awarded to Longenecker & Associates, LLC, a single entity. 3. Competition level was 'Competitive Delivery Order', suggesting multiple bids. 4. Contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control risks. 5. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 6. Geographic location of performance is California.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's total value of $11.27 million over five years averages to approximately $2.25 million annually. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contracts for advanced nuclear research consulting, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not closely managed compared to fixed-price contracts. Benchmarking against similar consulting services for specialized scientific research would be necessary for a more definitive evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded as a 'Competitive Delivery Order', indicating that multiple vendors were likely considered or competed for this specific order. However, the limited information available does not specify the number of bidders or the extent of the competition. A competitive delivery order suggests a more open process than a sole-source award, but the specific level of competition is not fully detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive process, even for a delivery order, generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers compared to a sole-source award.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Energy by providing specialized consulting for advanced nuclear research. Supports the advancement of nuclear energy technologies and research initiatives. Services are delivered in California, potentially impacting the local economy and workforce. The contract facilitates critical research that could have long-term energy implications.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically management and consulting services for government agencies. The market for specialized scientific and technical consulting, particularly in areas like advanced nuclear research, is often niche. The $11.27 million value is moderate for a multi-year federal consulting contract. Comparable spending might be found in other high-tech or scientific research support contracts across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside requirement. The primary contractor, Longenecker & Associates, LLC, is the focus of this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of services as outlined in the contract statement of work. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal procurement databases like FPDS, where contract awards are recorded. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

consulting, administrative-management, general-management, department-of-energy, advanced-nuclear-research, competitive-delivery-order, time-and-materials, california, longenecker-associates-llc, federal-contract

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $11.3 million to LONGENECKER & ASSOCIATES, LLC. CONSULTING&FACILITATION SERVICES FOR ADVANCED NUCLEAR RESEARCH

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is LONGENECKER & ASSOCIATES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-01-30. End: 2012-11-30.

What is the track record of Longenecker & Associates, LLC with the Department of Energy and similar federal contracts?

Information on Longenecker & Associates, LLC's specific track record with the Department of Energy or similar federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive analysis would require reviewing their past performance on federal awards, including client satisfaction, adherence to timelines, and budget management. Examining their contract history for any performance issues, disputes, or successful project completions would offer insight into their reliability and capability for managing complex consulting engagements like advanced nuclear research support.

How does the $11.27 million contract value compare to similar consulting services for advanced nuclear research?

Benchmarking the $11.27 million contract value against similar consulting services for advanced nuclear research is challenging without access to a broader dataset of comparable federal contracts. The value represents an average annual spend of approximately $2.25 million over five years. Factors influencing this value include the specialized expertise required, the duration of the engagement, and the specific scope of work. A detailed comparison would necessitate identifying contracts with similar objectives, contractor types, and agencies to establish a relevant market rate or typical investment for such specialized consulting.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for this type of service?

The primary risk associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for consulting services, especially in specialized fields like advanced nuclear research, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours and associated costs. If project scope creeps, timelines extend, or labor hours are not meticulously tracked and managed, the total cost can significantly exceed initial estimates. This necessitates robust oversight from the government to ensure efficient work and prevent unnecessary expenditures.

How effective is the 'Competitive Delivery Order' mechanism in ensuring fair pricing for specialized consulting?

The 'Competitive Delivery Order' mechanism is intended to foster competition among pre-qualified vendors for specific task orders under a larger contract vehicle. This approach generally promotes fairer pricing than a sole-source award by allowing multiple bidders to propose solutions and pricing. However, the effectiveness in ensuring optimal pricing depends on the number of bidders, the clarity of the solicitation, and the rigor of the evaluation process. A highly competitive environment with well-defined requirements is more likely to yield competitive pricing for taxpayers.

What is the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services by the Department of Energy?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for administrative management and general management consulting services by the Department of Energy would require access to historical federal procurement data over several fiscal years. This contract, valued at $11.27 million over five years, represents a portion of the DOE's expenditure in this category. Understanding broader trends would involve examining the total annual spending on NAICS code 541611 by the DOE, identifying key contractors, and observing any fluctuations in spending related to specific research initiatives or administrative needs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesManagement, Scientific, and Technical Consulting ServicesAdministrative Management and General Management Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT)PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2514 RED ARROW DRIVE, LAS VEGAS, NV, 89135

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,598,810

Exercised Options: $11,598,810

Current Obligation: $11,274,279

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0479N

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline

Start Date: 2007-01-30

Current End Date: 2012-11-30

Potential End Date: 2012-11-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-12-06

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