DoD awards $20M+ for specialized technical and staff support to CELEEN LLC, with 6 bidders

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,031,425 ($20.0M)

Contractor: Celeen LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2021-08-01

End Date: 2026-02-28

Contract Duration: 1,672 days

Daily Burn Rate: $12.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL & STAFF SUPPORT

Place of Performance

Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22350

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.0 million to CELEEN LLC for work described as: SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL & STAFF SUPPORT Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable given the scope of specialized technical and staff support. 2. Strong competition with 6 bidders suggests a healthy market for these services. 3. Potential risks include contractor performance and ensuring continued value over the contract duration. 4. This contract supports critical administrative functions within the Department of Defense. 5. The engineering services sector is competitive, with many firms capable of providing this support. 6. Fixed-price contract type helps mitigate cost overrun risks for the government.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract's total value of over $20 million for specialized technical and staff support appears to be within a reasonable range for a multi-year engagement of this nature. Benchmarking against similar contracts for engineering services and administrative support within the Department of Defense would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm-fixed-price structure generally indicates that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is favorable for the government. However, without specific details on the deliverables and labor categories, a definitive value assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which suggests that while full and open competition was intended, certain sources may have been excluded for specific reasons. With 6 bidders, the competition level indicates a moderately competitive environment. This level of competition is generally sufficient to drive reasonable pricing and encourage a range of technical solutions. However, the exclusion of sources might warrant further investigation to ensure no potentially superior or more cost-effective solutions were overlooked.

Taxpayer Impact: The presence of 6 bidders suggests that taxpayers are likely benefiting from competitive pricing. The exclusion of sources, however, introduces a slight uncertainty regarding whether the absolute best value was achieved.

Public Impact

The Department of Defense benefits from essential technical and staff support services. Services provided are critical for the operational efficiency of Washington Headquarters Services. The contract's geographic impact is primarily within Virginia, where the services are likely performed. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for skilled technical and administrative professionals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Ensuring consistent quality of specialized technical and staff support throughout the contract period.
Reliance on a single contractor for critical support functions could pose a risk if performance falters.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Multiple bidders indicate a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract duration allows for stability in support services.

Sector Analysis

The engineering services sector (NAICS 541330) is a significant part of the federal contracting landscape, encompassing a wide range of technical consulting and support. This contract for specialized technical and staff support fits within this sector, likely addressing complex administrative and operational needs. The total federal spending in engineering services is substantial, and this contract represents a portion of that expenditure, supporting the core functions of a major government agency.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary focus for this specific award, as the 'ss' (small business set-aside) and 'sb' (small business) flags are false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses within the provided data. This suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best technical solution and price from the available pool of contractors, rather than specifically promoting small business involvement in this particular contract.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the program management office within the Department of Defense's Washington Headquarters Services. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, which incentivizes the contractor to meet defined requirements within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, although specific performance metrics and detailed oversight reports may not always be publicly accessible.

Related Government Programs

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Management and Financial Consulting, Scientific and Technical Consulting and Services
Defense-wide Support Services

Risk Flags

Competition Level: While 6 bidders is positive, the 'exclusion of sources' requires scrutiny to ensure maximum competition.
Performance Risk: Ensuring consistent quality of specialized support over a multi-year period.
Scope Definition: Potential for scope creep if requirements are not precisely defined and managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.0 million to CELEEN LLC. SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL & STAFF SUPPORT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CELEEN LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Washington Headquarters Services).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-08-01. End: 2026-02-28.

What is CELEEN LLC's track record with the Department of Defense and similar contracts?

CELEEN LLC has a history of performing contracts with the Department of Defense, as indicated by this award. To fully assess their track record, a deeper dive into their past performance evaluations, any past disputes or claims, and the successful completion of previous contracts of similar scope and value would be necessary. Information on their experience with specialized technical and staff support, particularly within administrative functions like those of Washington Headquarters Services, would be crucial. Analyzing their performance on prior government contracts can provide insights into their reliability, quality of service, and ability to manage complex projects effectively.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar engineering and staff support services?

The provided data does not include specific pricing details beyond the total contract value, making a direct comparison to market rates challenging. However, the presence of 6 bidders in a full and open competition (after exclusions) suggests that the pricing is likely competitive. To benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze the labor categories, hours, and specific services outlined in the contract against industry salary surveys and rates for similar professional services in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Without this granular data, assessing whether the price is above, below, or at market value remains an estimation based on the competitive landscape.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential contractor underperformance, scope creep, and ensuring the continued relevance and effectiveness of the specialized support over the contract's duration. Mitigation strategies are partially evident: the firm-fixed-price structure shifts cost overrun risk to the contractor. Robust oversight by the Department of Defense, clear performance standards, and regular progress reviews are essential to manage performance and scope. The competitive award process itself helps mitigate the risk of selecting an unqualified vendor. However, ongoing monitoring and proactive contract management are critical throughout the performance period.

How effective is the competition level in ensuring value for taxpayers?

With 6 bidders, the competition level is moderately strong, which generally contributes to better value for taxpayers by fostering competitive pricing and encouraging a range of technical approaches. However, the 'after exclusion of sources' clause warrants attention. If significant potential competitors were excluded without clear justification, the true competitive landscape might be narrower than it appears, potentially impacting price discovery. Assuming the exclusions were valid, the 6 bidders indicate a healthy market, suggesting taxpayers are likely receiving fair value. Continued monitoring of performance against cost will be key.

What is the historical spending trend for similar specialized technical and staff support services within the Department of Defense?

Analyzing historical spending trends for similar services within the Department of Defense is crucial for context. This involves examining annual outlays for engineering services (NAICS 541330) and administrative support contracts over the past several fiscal years. Understanding whether spending in this category has been increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable can indicate shifts in agency needs or budget priorities. Comparing the current award value to the average or median value of past contracts of similar scope can also highlight whether this particular contract represents a significant deviation or aligns with historical patterns, aiding in the assessment of its overall financial significance.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: HQ003421R0001

Offers Received: 6

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2 MATTS PATH, MASHANTUCKET, CT, 06338

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,031,425

Exercised Options: $20,031,425

Current Obligation: $20,031,425

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 2

Total Subaward Amount: $11,293,726

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 47QRAD20D1016

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline