DoD's $15.5M Electric Power Distribution Contract with Southern California Edison Faces Limited Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,500,000 ($15.5M)

Contractor: Southern California Edison Company

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2009-09-30

End Date: 2010-09-30

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $42.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Energy

Official Description: INSTALLATION UTILITY BILL SCE

Place of Performance

Location: ROSEMEAD, LOS ANGELES County, CALIFORNIA, 91770

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $15.5 million to SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY for work described as: INSTALLATION UTILITY BILL SCE Key points: 1. The contract awarded to Southern California Edison Company for electric power distribution represents a significant expenditure. 2. Limited competition is a key characteristic, raising questions about potential price efficiencies. 3. The firm fixed-price contract type aims to manage cost certainty. 4. The sector is utilities, specifically electric power distribution, which is critical infrastructure.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $15.5 million for a one-year duration is substantial. Without comparable contract data or a clear benchmark, assessing its value for money is difficult, especially given the limited competition.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited or sole-source approach. This lack of competitive bidding may have prevented the government from securing the best possible price through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: The absence of robust competition could lead to taxpayers potentially overpaying for essential utility services.

Public Impact

Essential utility services are being provided to the Department of the Army. The contract ensures operational continuity for military installations in California. Dependence on a single provider for critical infrastructure can pose risks.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Positive Signals

Sector Analysis

The electric power distribution sector is characterized by significant infrastructure investment and often involves regulated monopolies or limited service providers, especially for large-scale government installations. Benchmarks are difficult without specific regional data.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. The nature of utility provision often favors large, established companies.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition aspect warrants further oversight to ensure the pricing remains fair and reasonable. Accountability for service delivery and cost management is crucial.

Related Government Programs

Risk Flags

Tags

electric-power-distribution, department-of-defense, ca, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $15.5 million to SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY. INSTALLATION UTILITY BILL SCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $15.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2009-09-30. End: 2010-09-30.

What is the justification for limiting competition for this essential utility service?

The justification for limiting competition is not provided in the data. Typically, such limitations might stem from the unique infrastructure requirements of a specific installation, existing grid interconnections, or regulatory constraints that favor incumbent utility providers. Further investigation would be needed to understand the specific reasons behind this decision and whether alternative competitive strategies were considered.

How does the $15.5 million price compare to similar utility contracts for military bases of comparable size and location?

Without access to a database of comparable utility contracts for military bases, a direct price comparison is not possible. Factors such as regional electricity rates, grid infrastructure costs, and the specific services included (e.g., capacity, peak demand management) significantly influence pricing. A detailed analysis would require benchmarking against similar installations in California or other regions with comparable energy markets.

What are the potential risks associated with relying on Southern California Edison for this contract, given the limited competition?

The primary risk is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competitive pressure, leading to inefficient use of taxpayer funds. Additionally, over-reliance on a single provider can create vulnerabilities in service reliability if the provider faces operational issues. There's also a risk of reduced innovation or responsiveness to the government's evolving needs if the provider faces no competitive incentive to improve.

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8631 RUSH, ROSEMEAD, CA, 91770

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,500,000

Exercised Options: $15,500,000

Current Obligation: $15,500,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00P09BSD0666

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline

Start Date: 2009-09-30

Current End Date: 2010-09-30

Potential End Date: 2010-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2021-07-06

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