DOE awards $20.7M for Transuranic Waste Transport to New Mexico
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,679,257 ($20.7M)
Contractor: Visionary Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2010-01-27
End Date: 2012-09-26
Contract Duration: 973 days
Daily Burn Rate: $21.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Transportation
Official Description: TRANSPORTATION OF TRANSURANIC WASTE FROM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES TO THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT SITE IN CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO
Place of Performance
Location: CARLSBAD, EDDY County, NEW MEXICO, 88221
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $20.7 million to VISIONARY SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: TRANSPORTATION OF TRANSURANIC WASTE FROM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES TO THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT SITE IN CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Visionary Solutions, LLC for specialized freight trucking. 2. The contract covers transportation of transuranic waste nationwide to Carlsbad, NM. 3. Full and open competition was used after excluding other sources. 4. The contract duration was 973 days, ending in September 2012.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's fixed price of $20.7M for specialized waste transport over nearly three years appears reasonable given the unique logistical challenges and regulatory requirements. Benchmarking is difficult due to the specialized nature of the service.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract utilized 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' suggesting a competitive process but with initial limitations. This method aims for best value while potentially narrowing the initial pool of bidders.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are utilized for essential waste management and transportation, ensuring safe disposal and environmental protection.
Public Impact
Ensures safe and compliant transportation of hazardous nuclear waste. Supports national security and environmental protection goals. Facilitates the operation of the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP).
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition method could impact price discovery.
- Specialized nature of service may limit bidder pool.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical national infrastructure need.
- Utilizes a fixed-price contract type.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under specialized freight transportation, a niche within the broader logistics sector. Spending benchmarks for such highly regulated and specialized services are difficult to establish due to unique safety and compliance requirements.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates the award was not made to small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were excluded or if the prime contractor is a large business.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of Energy, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms for managing complex and sensitive projects like nuclear waste transportation.
Related Government Programs
- Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may have reduced price optimization.
- High degree of specialization could pose future supply risks.
- Contract duration and value indicate significant logistical complexity.
- Dependence on a single awardee for critical national service.
Tags
specialized-freight-except-used-goods-tr, department-of-energy, nm, do, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $20.7 million to VISIONARY SOLUTIONS, LLC. TRANSPORTATION OF TRANSURANIC WASTE FROM THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES TO THE WASTE ISOLATION PILOT PLANT SITE IN CARLSBAD, NEW MEXICO
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is VISIONARY 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 $20.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-01-27. End: 2012-09-26.
What was the rationale for excluding sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' method?
The specific rationale for excluding sources is not detailed in the provided data. Typically, such a designation implies that initial broad solicitations may have yielded insufficient qualified bidders, or specific technical requirements necessitated a narrowed, yet still competitive, approach to ensure specialized capabilities were met.
How does the per-unit cost of transporting transuranic waste compare to similar hazardous material shipments?
A direct per-unit cost comparison is challenging due to the unique nature of transuranic waste, its regulatory handling requirements, and the long-distance, multi-site collection involved. Unlike standard hazardous materials, transuranic waste requires specialized containers, security protocols, and adherence to stringent nuclear safety regulations, significantly influencing transportation costs.
What are the long-term implications of this contract on the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant's operational efficiency?
This contract was crucial for ensuring the continuous and safe operation of the WIPP facility by providing the necessary transportation infrastructure. By securing the movement of transuranic waste, it directly supported the plant's mission to dispose of defense-related radioactive waste, thereby contributing to national environmental safety and nuclear waste management goals.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Specialized Freight Trucking › Specialized Freight (except Used Goods) Trucking, Long-Distance
Product/Service Code: TRANSPORT, TRAVEL, RELOCATION › TRANSPORTATION OF THINGS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 111-B UNION VALLEY ROAD, OAK RIDGE, TN, 03
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $20,701,662
Exercised Options: $20,701,662
Current Obligation: $20,679,257
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DEAM3007CC20007
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-01-27
Current End Date: 2012-09-26
Potential End Date: 2012-09-26 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-03-26
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