Department of Energy awards $19.4M contract for fossil energy engineering services to Technology and Management Services, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,421,060 ($19.4M)
Contractor: Technology and Management Services, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2007-10-01
End Date: 2013-03-31
Contract Duration: 2,008 days
Daily Burn Rate: $9.7K/day
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Energy
Official Description: PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TOTHE FOSSIL ENERGY OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FOSSIL ENERGY, FE-3
Place of Performance
Location: GAITHERSBURG, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20877
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $19.4 million to TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC. for work described as: PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TOTHE FOSSIL ENERGY OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FOSSIL ENERGY, FE-3 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for professional engineering services to support the Fossil Energy Office. 2. Services encompass technical and management support for the Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy. 3. Contract duration spans from October 2007 to March 2013. 4. The contract was awarded as a delivery order under a larger vehicle. 5. The primary service category is Engineering Services (NAICS 541330). 6. The contract was awarded to a single vendor, Technology and Management Services, Inc. 7. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can pose cost control challenges. 8. The base year for the contract was 2008.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $19.4 million for engineering services over approximately 5.5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not managed closely, as it reimburses labor hours and material costs. Benchmarking against similar engineering support contracts for federal agencies would provide a clearer picture of whether this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: unknown
The provided data indicates this was a delivery order, suggesting it was likely placed against an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract or a similar pre-competed vehicle. The specific competition details for the original vehicle or this particular delivery order are not detailed here. If the original vehicle was competed broadly, it could indicate reasonable competition. However, if it was a sole-source or limited competition vehicle, the price discovery might be less robust.
Taxpayer Impact: The level of competition for the underlying contract vehicle directly impacts taxpayer value. Robust competition generally leads to lower prices and better service offerings, maximizing the return on taxpayer investment. Limited or sole-source awards may result in higher costs.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy's Fossil Energy Office, receiving essential engineering and management support. The services delivered are crucial for the operational and strategic functions of the Fossil Energy program. The geographic impact is likely national, supporting federal energy policy and initiatives. Workforce implications include the employment of engineers and management professionals by Technology and Management Services, Inc.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored.
- Lack of specific competition details for this delivery order makes it difficult to assess price reasonableness.
- The contract spans a significant period, requiring sustained oversight to ensure continued value.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a single vendor, potentially indicating a streamlined process for a specific need.
- The contract supports a critical government function within the Department of Energy.
- The duration suggests a long-term need for these specialized services.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a vital component of the broader professional services market supporting government operations. This sector includes firms providing specialized technical expertise across various domains, including energy. Federal spending in engineering services is substantial, often driven by infrastructure projects, research and development, and operational support for complex government missions. This contract specifically supports the fossil energy domain, a critical area for national energy policy and infrastructure.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific contract, as the 'sb' (small business set-aside) field is false. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem from this particular award appears limited, though the prime contractor may engage small businesses in their supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. As a delivery order under a potentially larger contract vehicle, oversight mechanisms would be tied to the terms of that overarching agreement. Transparency is dependent on the public availability of contract modifications and performance reports, which are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Fossil Energy Research and Development Programs
- Department of Energy - Office of Science
- Energy Infrastructure Modernization Projects
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Support Services
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Lack of detailed competition information for the delivery order.
- Need for robust government oversight to manage contractor performance and costs.
Tags
energy, department-of-energy, engineering-services, fossil-energy, professional-services, delivery-order, time-and-materials, technology-and-management-services-inc, maryland, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $19.4 million to TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.. PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TOTHE FOSSIL ENERGY OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FOSSIL ENERGY, FE-3
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $19.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2007-10-01. End: 2013-03-31.
What was the specific nature of the engineering services provided under this contract?
The contract data specifies 'PROVIDE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES TO THE FOSSIL ENERGY OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR FOSSIL ENERGY, FE-3'. This indicates the services were focused on supporting the operational, technical, and potentially policy-related functions of the Department of Energy's Fossil Energy division. This could encompass a wide range of activities, including technical analysis, feasibility studies, project management support, environmental impact assessments related to fossil fuels, and research and development oversight. The 'TECHNOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.' designation suggests a blend of technical engineering expertise and project/program management capabilities were required.
How does the $19.4 million award compare to typical spending on similar engineering services by the Department of Energy?
The $19.4 million award over approximately 5.5 years (October 2007 - March 2013) translates to an average annual spend of roughly $3.5 million. This figure is moderate for federal engineering services contracts, especially those supporting major program offices like Fossil Energy. The Department of Energy, like other large federal agencies, procures significant amounts of engineering support. Without knowing the specific scope and complexity of the services rendered, a direct comparison is difficult. However, this amount is within the typical range for specialized technical and management support contracts that do not involve large-scale construction or procurement of major equipment.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract for engineering services?
The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like the one awarded to Technology and Management Services, Inc., is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours at specified rates and for the cost of materials. If the scope of work is not well-defined, or if the contractor's efficiency is low, the total cost can escalate significantly beyond initial estimates. This necessitates robust government oversight to monitor labor hours, ensure efficient performance, and control material costs. For engineering services, this means closely tracking the time spent by engineers and technical staff on specific tasks and validating the necessity and cost of any materials used.
What does the contract's duration (2007-2013) imply about the nature of the services and program stability?
The contract's extended duration, spanning over five years, suggests that the engineering services required by the Fossil Energy Office were of a continuous and long-term nature. This implies a stable, ongoing need for technical and management support rather than a short-term project. Such longevity often indicates that the services are integral to the core functions of the office, such as program management, policy analysis, or ongoing technical oversight of fossil energy initiatives. It also suggests a level of trust and satisfaction with the contractor's performance, as agencies are generally reluctant to commit to long-term contracts without assurance of capability and reliability.
Can we infer the contractor's track record or expertise from this award alone?
This award alone provides limited insight into the contractor's overall track record or specific expertise beyond their ability to secure this particular contract. Technology and Management Services, Inc. was awarded this contract, indicating they met the requirements set forth by the Department of Energy at the time. However, without access to performance reviews, past performance evaluations, or details of previous contracts held by the company, it's impossible to definitively assess their expertise or reliability. The fact that it was a delivery order suggests it might have been placed against an existing contract vehicle, implying some level of pre-qualification or competition that favored this vendor for the specific requirements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Contractor Details
Parent Company: International Business Machines Corporation (UEI: 001368083)
Address: 800 N FREDERICK AVE, GAITHERSBURG, MD, 20879
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $21,261,576
Exercised Options: $21,261,576
Current Obligation: $19,421,060
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS23F0136P
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2007-10-01
Current End Date: 2013-03-31
Potential End Date: 2013-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2021-12-06
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