DOE's $10.6M Technical Support Services contract awarded to National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $10,604,707 ($10.6M)
Contractor: National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2004-08-06
End Date: 2010-02-05
Contract Duration: 2,009 days
Daily Burn Rate: $5.3K/day
Competition Type: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $10.6 million to NATIONAL INTEREST ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded via competitive delivery order, suggesting a degree of market vetting. 2. The contract duration spans over five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 3. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting, a broad category. 4. The contract was awarded to a single entity, National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 6. The contract was awarded by the Department of Energy, primarily for services in Washington D.C.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific service details and comparable contract data. The Time and Materials pricing structure can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely. The total award value of $10.6 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate annual spend, but the per-unit cost is not readily available for direct comparison.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
This contract was awarded as a competitive delivery order, implying that multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid. However, the specific number of bidders is not provided, which limits a full assessment of the competition's intensity. A competitive award generally suggests a better opportunity for price discovery and potentially more favorable terms for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process is generally beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages vendors to offer competitive pricing to secure the contract.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from specialized technical support services. Services likely support administrative and management functions within the agency. The primary geographic impact is within Washington D.C. The contract supports the workforce of National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to unpredictable costs if not closely monitored.
- Limited information on the number of bidders in the competitive process.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through a competitive process, indicating potential for value.
- Long contract duration suggests sustained need and potential for stable service delivery.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative and management consulting. This sector is characterized by a wide range of service providers, from large corporations to specialized small businesses. The Department of Energy, like many federal agencies, relies on such services to manage complex operations and projects. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific nature of the technical support provided.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The contractor, National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC, is identified as a single entity, and its size status (small or large business) is not provided. Further analysis would be needed to determine any impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight mechanisms for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Energy. Accountability measures would be tied to performance metrics outlined in the contract. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases, but detailed performance data may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Management and Consulting Services
- Technical Support Contracts
- Department of Energy Contracts
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type may lead to cost overruns.
- Limited information on the number of bidders in the competitive process.
Tags
administrative-management-consulting, technical-support, department-of-energy, competitive-delivery-order, time-and-materials, washington-dc, professional-services, management-consulting, federal-contract, doe
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $10.6 million to NATIONAL INTEREST ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, LLC. TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NATIONAL INTEREST ADVANCED SOLUTIONS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $10.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2004-08-06. End: 2010-02-05.
What specific technical support services were provided under this contract?
The contract NAICS code 541611 indicates 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services.' This broad category suggests services related to planning, organizational, and administrative management consulting. Examples could include policy development, program management support, strategic planning, and operational efficiency improvements. However, without more granular details from the contract's statement of work, the precise nature of the technical support remains general. The Department of Energy likely utilized these services to enhance its administrative functions, manage complex projects, or improve internal processes.
How does the $10.6 million award compare to similar technical support contracts at the Department of Energy?
Comparing the $10.6 million award requires context on the duration and scope of similar contracts. This contract spanned approximately five years (August 2004 to February 2010), making the average annual value around $2.12 million. This is a moderate-sized contract within the federal IT and professional services landscape. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze the average award values for 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' (NAICS 541611) awarded by the Department of Energy or similar agencies over comparable periods, considering factors like contract type (e.g., T&M vs. FFP) and specific service requirements.
What are the potential risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this nature?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC, carry inherent risks, primarily related to cost control. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for the actual cost of labor (at specified hourly rates) and materials. This structure can lead to cost uncertainty and potential overruns if the scope of work expands or if labor hours are not diligently managed and monitored by the government. Effective oversight, clear task definitions, and robust reporting are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment.
What was the track record of National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC prior to or during this contract?
Information regarding the specific track record of National Interest Advanced Solutions, LLC, prior to or during this particular $10.6 million Department of Energy contract (2004-2010) is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require examining past performance evaluations, any documented issues or successes on previous government contracts, and the company's overall business history. Federal procurement databases and past performance reviews would be the primary sources for such an analysis. Without this, it's difficult to definitively assess their reliability and performance quality for this engagement.
How did the competitive nature of the award influence pricing and value for the taxpayer?
The fact that this contract was awarded as a 'COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER' suggests that multiple vendors were likely considered, which generally fosters price competition. This competitive pressure typically encourages bidders to offer more favorable pricing and terms to win the contract, potentially leading to better value for the taxpayer compared to a sole-source award. However, the extent of this benefit is influenced by the number of bidders and the rigor of the evaluation process. Without knowing the number of bids received, it's challenging to quantify the precise impact on pricing, but the competitive nature itself is a positive indicator for value.
What is the historical spending pattern for technical support services at the Department of Energy?
The provided data focuses on a single contract. To understand historical spending patterns for technical support services at the Department of Energy (DOE), a broader analysis of DOE's procurement data over several fiscal years would be necessary. This would involve aggregating spending across various contract vehicles and vendors providing similar services (e.g., under NAICS code 541611 or related codes). Examining trends in annual spending, average contract values, and the distribution of awards among different types of contractors (large vs. small business) would reveal patterns and inform future budget and procurement strategies.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETITIVE DELIVERY ORDER
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Contractor Details
Parent Company: International Business Machines Corporation (UEI: 001368083)
Address: 310 SR 956, KEYSER, WV, 02
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,615,516
Exercised Options: $11,846,080
Current Obligation: $10,604,707
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0343K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2004-08-06
Current End Date: 2010-02-05
Potential End Date: 2010-02-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2013-04-11
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