DOE's $53.7M contract for building tech support awarded to Guidehouse Inc. via GSA MOBIS
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,670,908 ($53.7M)
Contractor: Guidehouse Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2014-02-18
End Date: 2016-08-17
Contract Duration: 911 days
Daily Burn Rate: $58.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::CT::IGF TAS::89 0321::TAS TASK ORDER (TO) TO NAVIGANT CONSULTING, INC, UNDER THE GSA MOBIS SCHEDULE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE). THE TO PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM S ACTIVITIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT STANDARDS AND ANALYSIS PROGRAM; EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT VERIFICATION; ENFORCEMENT TESTING AND ANALYSIS; EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT TEST PROCEDURE DEVELOPMENT; SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING ANALYSIS OF EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCTS; BASELINE STUDIES AND STRATEGIC ASSESSMENTS; TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENTS; ENGINEERING ECONOMICS AND MARKET ASSESSMENT; PROGRAM PLANNING, MANAGEMENT, AND REVIEW; REGIONAL STUDIES; AND PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT. AWARD OF TASK ORDER DE-DT0006900 UNDER GS-10F-0200K IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE).
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $53.7 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC. for work described as: IGF::CT::IGF TAS::89 0321::TAS TASK ORDER (TO) TO NAVIGANT CONSULTING, INC, UNDER THE GSA MOBIS SCHEDULE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE). THE TO PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM S ACTIVIT… Key points: 1. Contract focuses on technical support for the Building Technology Program, encompassing standards, verification, and market assessments. 2. The task order was issued under the GSA MOBIS Schedule, indicating a pre-competed vehicle. 3. The contract duration of 911 days suggests a medium-term engagement for specialized services. 4. The award was made on a Time and Materials basis, which can pose cost control challenges. 5. The contractor, Guidehouse Inc., is a known entity in management consulting services. 6. The contract value of $53.7M positions it as a significant award within its service category.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $53.7 million for a period of approximately 2.5 years appears to be within a reasonable range for complex technical consulting services. However, without specific benchmarks for the exact nature of the technical support provided to the Building Technology Program, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can lead to higher costs if not closely managed, compared to fixed-price contracts. Further analysis would require comparing the specific deliverables and hourly rates to similar contracts within the Department of Energy or other agencies for comparable technical consulting.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under the GSA MOBIS Schedule, which is a multiple-award schedule contract. This implies that the initial award of the MOBIS schedule itself underwent full and open competition. Task orders issued under such schedules are typically competed among the schedule holders, or in this case, it was a task order under a schedule, suggesting competition among pre-qualified vendors. The specific details of how this particular task order was competed among MOBIS schedule holders are not fully detailed in the provided data, but the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION' designation suggests a broad opportunity for eligible contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process, even through a schedule, generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for taxpayers by allowing a wider range of qualified contractors to bid.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) benefits from enhanced technical support for its building technology initiatives. Services delivered include crucial activities like equipment and product standards development, verification, and enforcement testing. The contract supports advancements in energy efficiency within the building sector, potentially leading to broader environmental and economic benefits. The geographic impact is national, as EERE's programs aim to improve energy efficiency across the United States. The contract supports specialized technical and scientific expertise, contributing to the knowledge base in renewable energy and building technologies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not diligently managed and monitored.
- The broad scope of services listed may indicate potential for scope creep if not clearly defined and controlled.
- Reliance on a single task order for a significant portion of technical support could pose a risk if the contractor underperforms.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under GSA MOBIS Schedule, indicating the contractor has met pre-qualification standards.
- The contract supports a critical mission area for the Department of Energy (energy efficiency).
- Full and open competition suggests a robust vetting process for the initial schedule award.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Management and Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611). This sector is characterized by firms providing expertise in areas such as strategic planning, operational improvement, and technology implementation. The Department of Energy's focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy places this contract within a specialized segment of the broader consulting market, often involving technical and scientific analysis related to energy technologies and market dynamics. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal contracts for similar technical consulting services supporting R&D and program management within scientific agencies.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The award was made to Guidehouse Inc., a large business entity, suggesting that the primary focus was on securing specialized expertise rather than promoting small business participation through set-asides for this particular task order.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). As a task order under a GSA Schedule, the underlying contract vehicle has its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract's performance or billing.
Related Government Programs
- GSA MOBIS Schedule
- Department of Energy - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
- Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Technical Support Services
- Building Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials Pricing
- Potential for Scope Creep
- Contractor Performance Risk
- Limited Competition on Task Order (if applicable)
Tags
energy-efficiency, building-technology, technical-support, consulting-services, department-of-energy, eere, gsa-mobis-schedule, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition, management-consulting, district-of-columbia, federal-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $53.7 million to GUIDEHOUSE INC.. IGF::CT::IGF TAS::89 0321::TAS TASK ORDER (TO) TO NAVIGANT CONSULTING, INC, UNDER THE GSA MOBIS SCHEDULE IN SUPPORT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE). THE TO PROVIDES TECHNICAL SUPPORT TO THE BUILDING TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM S ACTIVITIES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT STANDARDS AND ANALYSIS PROGRAM; EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT VERIFICATION; ENFORCEMENT TESTING AND ANALYSIS; EQUIPMENT AND PRODUCT TEST PROCEDURE DEVELOPMENT; SCIENTIFIC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GUIDEHOUSE INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $53.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2014-02-18. End: 2016-08-17.
What is the track record of Guidehouse Inc. in delivering similar technical consulting services to federal agencies, particularly within the energy sector?
Guidehouse Inc. (formerly Navigant Consulting) has a substantial track record in providing consulting services across various sectors, including energy, healthcare, and financial services. For federal agencies, they have engaged in numerous contracts involving energy policy, technology assessments, and program management support. Their experience often includes technical analysis, market research, and strategic planning, aligning with the scope of this task order. Specific to the Department of Energy, Navigant (and subsequently Guidehouse) has historically supported various energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. A deeper dive into their past performance evaluations and contract history within FPDS would reveal specific project successes, challenges, and client satisfaction levels relevant to this type of work. Their ability to secure and successfully execute large federal contracts suggests a demonstrated capacity to meet agency requirements.
How does the $53.7 million contract value compare to similar technical support contracts for energy efficiency programs within the federal government?
The $53.7 million contract value for approximately 2.5 years of technical support for the Building Technology Program is a significant award. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against other federal contracts for similar services, such as technical assistance, program management support, and R&D analysis within the energy sector. Contracts supporting large-scale energy efficiency initiatives or renewable energy research and development programs often involve substantial funding. For instance, contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Energy, EPA, or NIST for specialized scientific and engineering consulting can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars depending on the scope, duration, and complexity. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of this contract means the final cost is dependent on actual labor hours and rates, making direct comparisons to fixed-price contracts less straightforward. However, the overall magnitude suggests a comprehensive and long-term need for specialized expertise.
What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude and scope?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude ($53.7 million) is the potential for cost overruns due to a lack of a fixed ceiling on the total expenditure. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M contracts pay the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. This structure can incentivize longer project durations or less efficient work if not rigorously monitored. For the Department of Energy, risks include exceeding the estimated cost without a commensurate increase in delivered value, difficulty in accurately forecasting the total project expenditure, and potential for scope creep if the work is not tightly managed. Effective oversight, detailed tracking of labor hours, and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the government receives good value for its investment.
How effective is the GSA MOBIS Schedule in ensuring competitive pricing for management and consulting services?
The GSA MOBIS (Management, Organizational, and Business Improvement Services) Schedule is designed to streamline the procurement of management consulting services by pre-qualifying vendors through an initial full and open competition. This means that contractors on the schedule have already met certain standards. Task orders issued under MOBIS can be competed among schedule holders or awarded sole-source under specific conditions. When competed among multiple schedule holders, it fosters competition and can lead to competitive pricing. However, the effectiveness in ensuring the *best* pricing depends on the specific competition strategy for each task order. If a task order is competed among many qualified vendors, prices are likely to be competitive. If competition is limited, or if the task order is awarded based on factors other than the lowest price, the price advantage may be less pronounced. Overall, it provides a more efficient acquisition process but requires careful task order competition to maximize price benefits.
What are the potential implications of this contract on the development and adoption of energy-efficient building technologies?
This contract directly supports the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) by providing technical expertise for its Building Technology Program. The services include developing equipment and product standards, conducting verification and enforcement testing, and performing scientific and engineering analysis. By strengthening these foundational activities, the contract can lead to more robust and reliable energy efficiency standards for buildings and equipment. This, in turn, can accelerate the development and adoption of innovative energy-efficient technologies by providing clear performance benchmarks and ensuring product quality. Furthermore, market assessments and strategic planning supported by this contract can help identify barriers to adoption and inform future EERE program strategies, ultimately contributing to broader energy savings and reduced environmental impact.
What is the historical spending pattern for technical support services related to building technologies at the Department of Energy?
Historical spending patterns for technical support services related to building technologies at the Department of Energy would typically show consistent investment in areas like energy efficiency research, standards development, and program implementation. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is a major component of the DOE, and its budget often includes significant allocations for contracts that provide specialized technical and analytical support. Spending can fluctuate based on congressional appropriations, administration priorities, and the lifecycle of specific research and development initiatives. Analyzing past contracts awarded by EERE for similar services (e.g., technical consulting, engineering analysis, market research for building technologies) would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of contractors utilized. This specific $53.7 million task order represents a substantial, multi-year commitment to supporting the Building Technology Program's objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: QUALITY CONTROL, TEST, INSPECTION › EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS TESTING
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 615 N WABASH AVE, CHICAGO, IL, 60611
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $58,006,783
Exercised Options: $58,006,783
Current Obligation: $53,670,908
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 14
Total Subaward Amount: $5,540,505
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0200K
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2014-02-18
Current End Date: 2016-08-17
Potential End Date: 2016-08-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2017-04-25
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