DoD's $101M Electric Power Contract for Camp Lejeune Faces Limited Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $101,010,002 ($101.0M)

Contractor: Duke Energy Progress, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2019-07-31

End Date: 2025-09-29

Contract Duration: 2,252 days

Daily Burn Rate: $44.9K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Energy

Official Description: CAMP LEJEUNE UESC TO 3

Place of Performance

Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, ONSLOW County, NORTH CAROLINA, 28542

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $101.0 million to DUKE ENERGY PROGRESS, LLC for work described as: CAMP LEJEUNE UESC TO 3 Key points: 1. Significant contract value of $101 million for electric power distribution. 2. Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value. 3. Contract duration extends to September 2025, impacting long-term cost-effectiveness. 4. Focus on a critical infrastructure need for military operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's pricing is difficult to assess without comparable benchmarks due to the limited competition. The firm fixed-price structure offers some cost certainty, but the lack of competitive bidding may have led to a higher price than achievable in an open market.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was not available for competition, suggesting a sole-source or limited-source award. This significantly restricts price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competitive process.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition likely results in a higher cost to taxpayers than if multiple vendors had vied for the contract.

Public Impact

Ensures reliable electricity for Camp Lejeune's critical military infrastructure. Potential for higher energy costs impacting the base's operational budget. Limited visibility into the fairness of the awarded price.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Utilities and Power Generation sector, specifically focusing on electric power distribution for a military installation. Spending benchmarks for similar utility contracts can vary widely based on location, demand, and infrastructure complexity.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract. The nature of large-scale utility provision often favors established, larger corporations.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is crucial to ensure the contractor meets performance standards and that the pricing remains reasonable throughout the contract term, especially given the limited competition.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

electric-power-distribution, department-of-defense, nc, delivery-order, 100m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $101.0 million to DUKE ENERGY PROGRESS, LLC. CAMP LEJEUNE UESC TO 3

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DUKE ENERGY PROGRESS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Navy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $101.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2019-07-31. End: 2025-09-29.

What was the justification for limiting competition on this essential utility contract?

The justification for limiting competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such limitations might stem from unique infrastructure requirements, existing vendor relationships, or specific security considerations. However, without explicit documentation, it's difficult to ascertain the precise rationale, raising questions about whether a more competitive approach was feasible.

What are the potential risks associated with a long-term, limited-competition utility contract?

The primary risks include inflated pricing due to a lack of competitive pressure, potential for complacency in service quality, and difficulty in adapting to technological advancements or market shifts. The extended duration means taxpayers are committed to these terms for an extended period, potentially missing out on cost savings or better service options that could emerge.

How can the effectiveness of this contract be measured beyond just service delivery?

Effectiveness can be measured by comparing the actual cost per unit of electricity against regional benchmarks, assessing reliability metrics (e.g., uptime, outage frequency/duration), and evaluating the contractor's responsiveness to service requests or emergencies. Additionally, periodic reviews of the contract's value proposition, even with limited competition, are essential.

Industry Classification

NAICS: UtilitiesElectric Power Generation, Transmission and DistributionElectric Power Distribution

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPINGUTILITIES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Duke Energy Corporation

Address: 410 S WILMINGTON ST, RALEIGH, NC, 27601

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $101,010,002

Exercised Options: $101,010,002

Current Obligation: $101,010,002

Actual Outlays: $1,655,065

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00P14BSD1055

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2019-07-31

Current End Date: 2025-09-29

Potential End Date: 2025-09-29 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2025-09-26

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