NRC Awards $590,800 for NDE and Welding Codes Training to NDE Professionals, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $59,080 ($59.1K)
Contractor: NDE Professionals, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Start Date: 2024-09-20
End Date: 2029-09-22
Contract Duration: 1,828 days
Daily Burn Rate: $32/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: COURSE REVISION/UPDATE AND CONTRACTOR-LED IN-PERSON TRAINING OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE EXAMINATION AND WELDING CODES TRAINING.
Place of Performance
Location: CHATTANOOGA, HAMILTON County, TENNESSEE, 37411
Plain-Language Summary
Nuclear Regulatory Commission obligated $59,080 to NDE PROFESSIONALS, INC. for work described as: COURSE REVISION/UPDATE AND CONTRACTOR-LED IN-PERSON TRAINING OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE EXAMINATION AND WELDING CODES TRAINING. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized technical training for nuclear safety. 2. Competition method suggests potential for price discovery. 3. Long contract duration (5 years) warrants monitoring for cost efficiency. 4. Sector is niche, requiring specialized expertise.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $590,800 over five years appears reasonable for specialized, contractor-led training. Benchmarking against similar niche training contracts is difficult without more data, but the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' indicating a limited competition scenario. This method, while allowing for some competition, may not yield the most competitive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for essential training to ensure nuclear safety and regulatory compliance. The limited competition might result in a slightly higher cost than a broader competition.
Public Impact
Ensures regulatory compliance and safety in nuclear facilities. Supports the development of a skilled workforce in critical technical areas. Training is essential for maintaining operational integrity and preventing accidents.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may impact price optimization.
- Long-term contract duration requires performance monitoring.
- Reliance on a single contractor for specialized training.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for specialized technical training.
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget predictability.
- Training supports nuclear safety and regulatory oversight.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional and management development training sector, specifically for nuclear non-destructive examination and welding codes. Spending in this niche area is driven by regulatory requirements and the need for highly specialized skills, making direct comparisons to broader training benchmarks challenging.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to NDE Professionals, Inc. There is no indication of specific provisions or efforts to include small businesses in this subcontracting or prime contracting capacity based on the provided data.
Oversight & Accountability
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) is responsible for overseeing this contract. Given the critical nature of the training for nuclear safety, robust oversight of contractor performance and training quality is essential to ensure effectiveness and taxpayer value.
Related Government Programs
- Professional and Management Development Training
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Contracting
- Nuclear Regulatory Commission Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for higher costs due to limited competition.
- Risk of contractor performance issues over a long contract term.
- Dependency on a single provider for critical training.
- Need for rigorous oversight to ensure training quality and relevance.
Tags
professional-and-management-development-, nuclear-regulatory-commission, tn, definitive-contract, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Nuclear Regulatory Commission awarded $59,080 to NDE PROFESSIONALS, INC.. COURSE REVISION/UPDATE AND CONTRACTOR-LED IN-PERSON TRAINING OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE EXAMINATION AND WELDING CODES TRAINING.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NDE PROFESSIONALS, INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Nuclear Regulatory Commission (Nuclear Regulatory Commission).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $59,080.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-20. End: 2029-09-22.
What is the specific curriculum and expected learning outcomes for this training, and how are they measured to ensure effectiveness?
The curriculum covers Non-Destructive Examination (NDE) and Welding Codes, crucial for ensuring the integrity of nuclear facilities. Effectiveness is typically measured through trainee performance assessments, certifications, and ultimately, the reduction of safety incidents related to welding and structural integrity. The NRC likely has specific metrics tied to regulatory compliance and operational safety.
How does the NRC ensure that the 'limited competition' approach still yields a fair and reasonable price for taxpayers?
The NRC likely uses historical pricing data, market research on similar specialized training, and potentially independent cost estimates to validate the reasonableness of the proposed price. The 'exclusion of sources' justification would need to be robust, and the agency would still compare the offered price against benchmarks and negotiate to achieve a fair market value.
What are the long-term implications of a five-year contract for specialized training on workforce development and potential vendor lock-in?
A five-year contract provides stability for both the NRC and the contractor, ensuring consistent training delivery. However, it could lead to vendor lock-in and potentially stifle innovation if alternative training methods or providers emerge. Periodic reviews and opportunities for re-competition or market analysis are important to mitigate these risks.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Business Schools and Computer and Management Training › Professional and Management Development Training
Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 31310024R0058
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 13339 NE AIRPORT WAY, PORTLAND, OR, 97230
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $428,400
Exercised Options: $428,400
Current Obligation: $59,080
Actual Outlays: $29,540
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-20
Current End Date: 2029-09-22
Potential End Date: 2029-09-22 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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