Bureau of Reclamation Awards $2.36M for Lab Control System Upgrade and Valves
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,363,500 ($2.4M)
Contractor: Applied Control Engineering Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-09-05
End Date: 2026-10-19
Contract Duration: 774 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.1K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LAB CONTROL SYSTEM UPGRADE AND LAB VALVES AND ACTUATORS FOR THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION HYDRAULICS INVESTIGATIONS AND LABORATORY SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $2.4 million to APPLIED CONTROL ENGINEERING INC for work described as: LAB CONTROL SYSTEM UPGRADE AND LAB VALVES AND ACTUATORS FOR THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION HYDRAULICS INVESTIGATIONS AND LABORATORY SERVICES Key points: 1. Spending focuses on critical laboratory infrastructure for hydraulics investigations. 2. Applied Control Engineering Inc. secured the contract. 3. The award is a Purchase Order under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 4. Contract duration is 774 days, ending October 2026. 5. The contract is Firm Fixed Price, indicating clear cost expectations.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.36M for a lab control system upgrade and components appears reasonable given the scope and duration. Benchmarking against similar specialized control system projects would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition approach likely due to the contract value threshold. This method may not achieve the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential infrastructure upgrades to support scientific research and testing capabilities.
Public Impact
Enhances the Bureau of Reclamation's ability to conduct hydraulic investigations. Supports critical laboratory services for water resource management. Modernizes essential equipment for research and development in hydraulics. Ensures continued operational capacity for the Hydraulics Investigations and Laboratory Services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP.
- Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract.
- Clear end date and duration.
- Supports critical infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This spending falls within the 'Other' sector, specifically related to specialized industrial equipment and control systems. Benchmarks for similar laboratory upgrades are difficult to establish due to the niche nature of the work.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses and does not specify if the awardee is an SMB. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a Purchase Order from the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. Standard procurement oversight processes would apply, but specific details on enhanced oversight are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- Fluid Power Cylinder and Actuator Manufacturing
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition.
- Potential for price inefficiencies.
- Lack of small business set-aside information.
Tags
fluid-power-cylinder-and-actuator-manufa, department-of-the-interior, co, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $2.4 million to APPLIED CONTROL ENGINEERING INC. LAB CONTROL SYSTEM UPGRADE AND LAB VALVES AND ACTUATORS FOR THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION HYDRAULICS INVESTIGATIONS AND LABORATORY SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APPLIED CONTROL ENGINEERING INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-05. End: 2026-10-19.
What is the specific impact of the lab control system upgrade on the accuracy and efficiency of hydraulic investigations?
The upgrade is expected to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of hydraulic investigations by providing more precise control over experimental parameters, enabling real-time data acquisition, and reducing manual intervention. This modernization should lead to more reliable research outcomes and potentially faster project completion times for the Bureau of Reclamation's water resource studies.
What are the potential risks associated with using limited competition under SAP for this type of specialized equipment?
Limited competition under SAP carries the risk of reduced price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. There's also a risk that the government may not be exposed to the full range of innovative solutions available in the market. Ensuring fair pricing and adequate technical evaluation becomes crucial in such scenarios.
How does this investment contribute to the long-term effectiveness of the Bureau of Reclamation's research capabilities?
This investment is crucial for maintaining and enhancing the long-term effectiveness of the Bureau of Reclamation's research capabilities. By upgrading outdated control systems and components, the lab can continue to perform cutting-edge hydraulic investigations, support critical water resource management decisions, and adapt to evolving scientific and engineering challenges.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing › Fluid Power Cylinder and Actuator Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: VALVES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 140R8124Q0035
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 700 CREEK VIEW RD, NEWARK, DE, 19711
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,363,500
Exercised Options: $2,363,500
Current Obligation: $2,363,500
Actual Outlays: $2,279,256
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-05
Current End Date: 2026-10-19
Potential End Date: 2026-10-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-20
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