Department of Defense awarded $20.4M for Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services to RWE Clean Energy Solutions, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,429,893 ($20.4M)

Contractor: RWE Clean Energy Solutions, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2000-02-15

End Date: 2019-09-30

Contract Duration: 7,167 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: 200408!000043!5700!GV02 !ESC/PKO !DACA8797D0072 !A!N! !N!F1965000F8005!P00016!20040211!20040930!809887904!809887904!002944531!N!CONSOLIDATED EDISON SOLUTIONS,!701 WESTCHESTER AVENUE !WHITE PLAINS !NY!10604!04615!017!25!BEDFORD !MIDDLESEX !MASS !+000000587000!N!N!000000000000!S119!OTHER UTILITIES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541690!E! !5!B!S!C! ! !99990909!B! ! !N!Z!A!N!J!1!001!B! !Z!Y!Z! ! !N!C!N! ! ! !Z!Z!A!A!000!A!B!N! ! ! ! ! ! !0001! !

Place of Performance

Location: HANSCOM AFB, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01731

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.4 million to RWE CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC. for work described as: 200408!000043!5700!GV02 !ESC/PKO !DACA8797D0072 !A!N! !N!F1965000F8005!P00016!20040211!20040930!809887904!809887904!002944531!N!CONSOLIDATED EDISON SOLUTIONS,!701 WESTCHESTER AVENUE !WHITE PLAINS !NY!10604!04615!017!25!BEDFORD !MIDD… Key points: 1. Contract awarded for consulting services, indicating a need for specialized expertise. 2. The contract duration is substantial, suggesting a long-term requirement for these services. 3. The award was made under full and open competition, implying a competitive bidding process. 4. The specific NAICS code points to a niche in scientific and technical consulting. 5. The contract was awarded by the Department of the Air Force, a major component of the DoD. 6. The contract value is significant, reflecting the scale of the services required.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $20.4 million over its period of performance appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized consulting services. However, without specific benchmarks for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' within the Department of Defense or comparable contracts, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty, but the absence of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple vendors were eligible to bid. The fact that it was competed openly is a positive sign for price discovery and potentially achieving a competitive price. However, the number of bids received and the specific evaluation criteria are not detailed here, which would provide further insight into the intensity of the competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging multiple vendors to offer their best prices, leading to potentially lower costs for the government.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the Department of the Air Force, which receives specialized consulting expertise. The services delivered are likely to support strategic planning, technical analysis, or research and development initiatives. The geographic impact is primarily within the operational areas of the Department of the Air Force, though the consulting itself may be performed remotely. Workforce implications could include the engagement of highly skilled consultants and analysts, potentially impacting the need for internal government expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the consulting services.
The broad category of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' could encompass a wide range of activities, making it hard to pinpoint specific value.
Limited information on the specific deliverables and outcomes of the consulting engagement.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive process.
The contract is a firm fixed-price type, providing cost certainty for the government.
The contractor, RWE Clean Energy Solutions, Inc., has secured a significant contract, suggesting a level of established capability.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector is broad and encompasses a wide array of specialized advisory roles. This contract likely falls within the professional services segment of the federal market, which is a significant area of government spending. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar consulting engagements within the Department of Defense or other federal agencies would require access to more granular data on the specific nature of the consulting provided.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses. Given the contract value and the nature of specialized consulting services, it is likely that larger, established firms were the primary bidders. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist, but this would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the specific requirements of the consulting engagement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program office within the Department of the Air Force. Accountability measures would be tied to the contract's performance clauses and deliverables. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Further oversight details would depend on internal DoD policies and any specific Inspector General investigations related to consulting services.

Related Government Programs

Department of Defense Consulting Services
Air Force Professional Services Contracts
Scientific and Technical Advisory Services
Federal Consulting Contracts

Risk Flags

Unusually long contract duration (approx. 19.6 years) may indicate potential for obsolescence or changing needs.
Broad 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' category lacks specificity, potentially hindering performance assessment.
Limited public information on specific deliverables and outcomes makes value-for-money evaluation challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.4 million to RWE CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC.. 200408!000043!5700!GV02 !ESC/PKO !DACA8797D0072 !A!N! !N!F1965000F8005!P00016!20040211!20040930!809887904!809887904!002944531!N!CONSOLIDATED EDISON SOLUTIONS,!701 WESTCHESTER AVENUE !WHITE PLAINS !NY!10604!04615!017!25!BEDFORD !MIDDLESEX !MASS !+000000587000!N!N!000000000000!S119!OTHER UTILITIES !S1 !SERVICES !000 !* !541690!E! !5!B!S!C! ! !999

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RWE CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTIONS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Air Force).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2000-02-15. End: 2019-09-30.

What specific types of 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' were procured under this contract?

The provided data identifies the NAICS code as 541690, which covers 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services.' This broad category can include a wide range of specialized services such as environmental consulting, engineering consulting, management consulting related to scientific or technical operations, and research and development support. Without more detailed contract documentation or a statement of work, it is difficult to ascertain the precise nature of the services provided. However, given the contractor's name, it is plausible that the services relate to energy, sustainability, or environmental compliance within the Department of the Air Force's operations.

How does the contract value of $20.4 million compare to similar consulting contracts awarded by the Department of the Air Force?

Comparing the $20.4 million contract value requires access to a broader dataset of similar contracts. However, for specialized consulting services, this amount is substantial and suggests a significant scope of work or a long-term engagement. Federal agencies often award large contracts for complex technical or strategic advice. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to filter federal procurement data for contracts with similar NAICS codes (541690) and agencies (Department of the Air Force) over a comparable period, analyzing the distribution of award values to determine if this contract falls within the typical range, is exceptionally high, or unusually low.

What is the track record of RWE Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. in securing federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Defense?

RWE Clean Energy Solutions, Inc. has secured this $20.4 million contract with the Department of the Air Force. To assess their overall track record, a comprehensive review of federal procurement databases would be necessary. This would involve looking at the number of contracts awarded to them, their total value, the agencies they have served, and their performance history on past contracts. A significant award like this suggests they have the capacity and qualifications to meet the requirements of a major federal agency. Further investigation into past performance reviews and any potential issues on previous contracts would provide a more complete picture of their reliability.

What are the potential risks associated with a 'full and open competition' award for consulting services?

While full and open competition is generally preferred for maximizing value, potential risks can still exist. One risk is that the lowest-priced offer may not always represent the best value if technical capabilities or past performance are not adequately weighted in the evaluation. Another risk is the administrative burden and cost associated with managing a competitive process, especially if many proposals are received. For consulting services, there's also the risk that the scope of work might be poorly defined, leading to disputes or a mismatch between expectations and deliverables. Ensuring robust evaluation criteria and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

How does the duration of the contract (7167 days) impact the assessment of its value and risk?

A contract duration of 7167 days (approximately 19.6 years) is exceptionally long for a consulting services contract. Such extended durations can introduce significant risks, including potential cost overruns if market conditions change drastically, the risk of the procured services becoming obsolete, or the contractor's capabilities diminishing over time. From a value perspective, it suggests a very long-term strategic need. However, it also raises questions about the flexibility of the contract and whether more frequent, shorter-term competitions might have been more appropriate to ensure ongoing value and adaptation to evolving requirements. Long-term contracts require rigorous oversight to ensure continued relevance and cost-effectiveness.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Consolidated Edison, Inc. (UEI: 002944531)

Address: 100 SUMMIT LAKE DR STE 410, VALHALLA, NY, 10595

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,481,283

Exercised Options: $24,481,283

Current Obligation: $20,429,893

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: DACA8797D0072

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline