Interior Department awards $1.04M for EV charging station warranty and software, with full and open competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,400 ($10.4K)

Contractor: Global Enterprise, Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-04-02

End Date: 2026-04-01

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $14/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: EV CHARGING STATION WARRANTTY, SOFTWARE LICENSE AND MAINTENANCE

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20240

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $10,400 to GLOBAL ENTERPRISE, INC for work described as: EV CHARGING STATION WARRANTTY, SOFTWARE LICENSE AND MAINTENANCE Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year software license and warranty for critical infrastructure. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market and potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract duration of 729 days (2 years) aligns with typical software licensing and support periods. 4. Fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 5. The award to Global Enterprise, Inc. warrants review of their past performance in similar contracts. 6. The NAICS code 336211 (Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing) seems misaligned with the contract description; further investigation is needed.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.04 million over two years for EV charging station warranty and software licensing is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the scope of services and the number of charging stations covered. However, for enterprise-level software and support, this figure does not immediately appear excessive. A comparison to similar government or commercial contracts for EV charging infrastructure management software and extended warranties would be necessary for a definitive value assessment. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This suggests a competitive marketplace for EV charging station warranty and software solutions. The number of bidders is not specified, but the chosen procurement method generally leads to better price discovery and potentially lower costs for the government compared to sole-source or limited competition awards.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it fosters a competitive environment, driving down prices and encouraging innovation among vendors, ultimately leading to better value for public funds.

Public Impact

Federal agencies operating electric vehicle fleets will benefit from reliable charging infrastructure. The contract ensures the continued operation and maintenance of essential EV charging stations. Services delivered include warranty support and software licensing for managing charging equipment. The primary geographic impact is within the District of Columbia, where the contract is managed. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily involving IT support and maintenance personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential misalignment between NAICS code (Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing) and the contract's actual services (EV charging software/warranty).
Lack of specific details on the scope of software features and warranty coverage makes full value assessment challenging.
The contractor's track record with similar complex IT and infrastructure support contracts needs verification.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust vendor pool and competitive pricing.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability and transfers risk to the contractor.
The contract duration of two years is standard for software licensing and maintenance agreements.

Sector Analysis

The Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure market is rapidly expanding, driven by government mandates and private sector investment. This contract falls within the broader IT services and infrastructure support sector, specifically addressing the operational needs of EV charging stations. Comparable spending benchmarks are emerging as the EV market matures, but precise comparisons depend heavily on the specific software functionalities and warranty terms offered.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded under full and open competition and does not indicate any specific small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. The focus on a large enterprise contract suggests that prime opportunities for small businesses may lie in supporting the prime contractor or in niche areas of the EV charging ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of the Interior's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price structure and the defined contract period. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Federal Fleet Management
Government IT Services
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure
Software Licensing and Maintenance
Infrastructure Warranties

Risk Flags

NAICS Code Misclassification
Lack of Detailed Scope Definition
Contractor Past Performance Verification Needed

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $10,400 to GLOBAL ENTERPRISE, INC. EV CHARGING STATION WARRANTTY, SOFTWARE LICENSE AND MAINTENANCE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL ENTERPRISE, INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10,400.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-04-02. End: 2026-04-01.

What is the specific scope of the EV charging station warranty and software license being provided?

The provided data indicates the contract covers 'EV CHARGING STATION WARRANTTY, SOFTWARE LICENSE AND MAINTENANCE'. However, specific details regarding the scope of the warranty (e.g., duration of coverage, types of components covered, response times for service) and the software license (e.g., features included, number of users, data analytics capabilities, integration with other systems) are not detailed in the summary. Further review of the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) would be necessary to understand the precise deliverables and functionalities.

How does the $1.04 million contract value compare to similar government or commercial contracts for EV charging software and warranty services?

Benchmarking this $1.04 million contract value requires detailed comparison points. For enterprise-level software licenses and multi-year warranties covering a significant number of EV charging stations, this amount could represent fair market value. However, without knowing the quantity of stations, the complexity of the software, and the specific service level agreements (SLAs), a direct comparison is challenging. Commercial contracts can vary widely based on vendor, features, and scale. Government contracts awarded under full and open competition, like this one, often provide a basis for comparison if similar solicitations and awards are publicly available.

What is the track record of Global Enterprise, Inc. in providing similar EV charging infrastructure support or enterprise software solutions?

Assessing Global Enterprise, Inc.'s track record is crucial for understanding potential risks and performance reliability. Information on their past performance, particularly on contracts involving IT infrastructure, software licensing, and maintenance for specialized equipment like EV charging stations, would be essential. This includes examining their history of meeting deadlines, quality of service, customer satisfaction, and any past performance issues or disputes. A review of their contract history within federal databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) and any available past performance questionnaires would provide insights into their capabilities and suitability for this role.

What are the potential risks associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this service?

The firm fixed-price (FFP) contract type shifts the primary risk of cost overruns to the contractor, Global Enterprise, Inc. This benefits the government by providing cost certainty. However, potential risks include the contractor potentially cutting corners on quality or service to maintain profitability if their cost estimates were inaccurate. If the scope of work is not clearly defined, the contractor might resist performing work deemed outside the original scope, leading to potential disputes. Conversely, if the government requires significant changes, change order pricing could become a factor. The success of an FFP contract heavily relies on a well-defined SOW and robust oversight.

What is the significance of the NAICS code 336211 (Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing) being associated with this contract?

The association of NAICS code 336211 (Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing) with a contract for EV charging station warranty and software is highly unusual and suggests a potential data entry error or misclassification. This NAICS code pertains to the manufacturing of vehicle bodies, frames, and trailers, which is unrelated to IT services, software licensing, or maintenance of charging equipment. This discrepancy warrants further investigation to ensure the contract is correctly categorized and that the procurement process aligns with the actual services being acquired. It could indicate a broader issue with data integrity in the contract reporting system.

How does the two-year duration (729 days) impact the overall value and risk of this contract?

A two-year duration for software licensing and warranty is a standard term, balancing the need for sustained support with the flexibility to adapt to evolving technology or changing agency needs. This duration allows for a reasonable period to realize the benefits of the software and warranty without locking the government into a long-term commitment that might become obsolete or overpriced. From a risk perspective, it provides enough time for potential performance issues to surface, allowing the government to address them, while also giving the contractor sufficient time to recoup their investment and provide consistent service. It's a common duration that generally offers a good balance for both parties.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing › Motor Vehicle Body Manufacturing

Product/Service Code: ELECTRIC WIRE, POWER DISTRIB EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Global Enterprise Systems LLC

Address: 11560 STONEWALL RD, APPOMATTOX, VA, 24522

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,400

Exercised Options: $10,400

Current Obligation: $10,400

Actual Outlays: $5,200

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS30F040BA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline