Department of Energy awards $60.6M technical support contract to Dependable Global Solutions, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $60,619,463 ($60.6M)
Contractor: Dependable Global Solutions, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2017-06-30
End Date: 2025-12-31
Contract Duration: 3,106 days
Daily Burn Rate: $19.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER 5 FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES.
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $60.6 million to DEPENDABLE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER 5 FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a significant investment in specialized technical support. 2. Competition was conducted under a 'full and open' basis after excluding sources, suggesting a potentially limited but justified bidding process. 3. The contract duration of over 3 years indicates a need for sustained support. 4. The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code points to a focus on specialized expertise. 5. The contract's performance period extends into late 2025, implying ongoing project requirements. 6. The use of Time and Materials pricing may require close monitoring to control costs.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this $60.6 million contract for technical support services is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. However, the duration of over three years suggests a substantial need for the services provided. The Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, while flexible, can sometimes lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, especially when compared to fixed-price contracts. Further analysis would require understanding the specific deliverables and the market rates for the specialized consulting services rendered.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be open, certain sources were excluded, potentially narrowing the field of bidders. The specific reasons for exclusion are not detailed but could relate to specialized capabilities, past performance, or other pre-qualification criteria. The level of competition achieved under these conditions would need further investigation to determine its impact on price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The exclusion of sources, even in an otherwise open competition, may limit the number of competitive bids received, potentially impacting the government's ability to secure the lowest possible price for taxpayers.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from specialized technical support services to maintain its operations. The contract supports the delivery of essential consulting services within the energy sector. Services are likely concentrated in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, given the contract's location. The contract may indirectly support a workforce skilled in technical consulting and scientific services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Limited competition due to exclusion of sources may impact optimal price discovery.
- Contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under a 'full and open' competition framework, indicating an effort to solicit broad interest.
- The contract addresses a clear need for specialized technical support within the Department of Energy.
- The long performance period suggests a stable and ongoing requirement for the contractor's services.
Sector Analysis
The Department of Energy operates within a sector critical to national infrastructure and scientific advancement. This contract for technical support services falls under the broader 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' category (NAICS 541690). The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering specialized expertise. Benchmarking against similar contracts within the federal government for technical consulting would provide further context on the pricing and scope of this award.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this contract. Therefore, there are no direct small business set-aside implications. However, the prime contractor, Dependable Global Solutions, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would be a separate consideration for subcontracting plans and their impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse related to the contract were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy IT Support Contracts
- Federal Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Energy Task Orders
- Other Scientific and Technical Services Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost creep due to T&M pricing.
- Limited competition may impact price optimization.
- Need for robust oversight due to contract duration.
Tags
department-of-energy, technical-support, consulting-services, time-and-materials, full-and-open-competition-after-exclusion-of-sources, district-of-columbia, large-contract, scientific-and-technical-services, task-order
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $60.6 million to DEPENDABLE GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, LLC. IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER 5 FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is DEPENDABLE GLOBAL 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 $60.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2017-06-30. End: 2025-12-31.
What is the historical spending pattern for technical support services at the Department of Energy under similar NAICS codes?
Analyzing historical spending for technical support services under NAICS code 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services) at the Department of Energy (DOE) would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and awardees. For instance, if the DOE has consistently awarded multi-million dollar contracts for similar services over the past five years, this $60.6 million award to Dependable Global Solutions, LLC, might be seen as consistent with past practices. Conversely, a significant increase in spending or a shift towards different types of contractors could indicate evolving needs or market dynamics. Without access to specific historical DOE spending data for this NAICS code, it's difficult to provide precise figures, but such an analysis would contextualize the current award within the agency's broader procurement strategy for technical expertise.
How does the per-unit cost or hourly rate for Dependable Global Solutions, LLC compare to market benchmarks for similar technical consulting services?
Determining the precise per-unit cost or hourly rate for Dependable Global Solutions, LLC requires access to the detailed pricing structure within the contract, which is not fully provided in the summary data. The contract uses a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing model. To benchmark this, one would need to compare the contractor's established hourly rates for various labor categories (e.g., senior consultants, junior analysts) against industry surveys and publicly available data for similar technical consulting services in the Washington D.C. area. If the contractor's rates are significantly higher than the median or average rates for comparable skill sets and experience levels, it could indicate a potential value concern. Conversely, rates at or below market averages would suggest fair pricing, assuming the quality of service is commensurate.
What specific technical support services are being provided under this contract, and how are they critical to the Department of Energy's mission?
The contract, identified as IGF::OT::IGF TASK ORDER 5 FOR TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES, falls under the NAICS code 541690 (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services). While the summary does not detail the specific services, this category typically encompasses a wide range of expert advice and technical assistance. For the Department of Energy (DOE), such services could include areas like energy policy analysis, environmental consulting, nuclear safety support, grid modernization expertise, cybersecurity consulting for energy infrastructure, or research and development support. The criticality of these services would depend on their direct contribution to the DOE's core missions, such as ensuring national energy security, managing nuclear safety, and advancing scientific research. A detailed statement of work would clarify the exact deliverables and their alignment with agency objectives.
What is the track record of Dependable Global Solutions, LLC in performing similar federal contracts, particularly those with the Department of Energy?
Evaluating the track record of Dependable Global Solutions, LLC requires examining their past performance on federal contracts. This includes reviewing contract completion history, any documented performance issues or awards, and client feedback if available through sources like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS). For this specific $60.6 million contract with the Department of Energy (DOE), understanding their experience with similar task orders or larger prime contracts within the energy sector would be crucial. A history of successful, on-time, and within-budget performance on complex technical support contracts would be a positive indicator. Conversely, a record of significant performance deficiencies, contract disputes, or past-due deliverables could raise concerns about their capability to execute this current award effectively.
What are the potential risks associated with the 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' award strategy for this contract?
The 'full and open competition after exclusion of sources' strategy presents a nuanced risk profile. While it aims for broad competition, the explicit exclusion of certain sources suggests that the pool of potential bidders was intentionally narrowed. This could be due to specific technical requirements, security clearances, or past performance criteria that only a limited number of firms could meet. The risk lies in whether this exclusion inadvertently prevented highly capable and potentially more cost-effective vendors from participating. If the excluded sources represented significant competition, the government might not have achieved the best possible price or the widest range of innovative solutions. Thorough documentation justifying the exclusions is essential to mitigate the risk of perceived unfairness or missed opportunities.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT › DEFENSE (OTHER) R&D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Brown & Root Industrial Services Holdings, LLC
Address: 3110 FAIRVIEW PK DR STE 950, FALLS CHURCH, VA, 22042
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $64,848,418
Exercised Options: $64,848,418
Current Obligation: $60,619,463
Actual Outlays: $40,381,041
Contract Characteristics
Multi-Year Contract: Yes
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: DEET0000001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2017-06-30
Current End Date: 2025-12-31
Potential End Date: 2025-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-19
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