DHHS CDC Awards Avista Corp $148K for Spokane Campus Electric Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $148,626 ($148.6K)

Contractor: Avista Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $408/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Energy

Official Description: ELECTRIC AND GAS SERVICES - SPOKANE CAMPUS

Place of Performance

Location: SPOKANE, SPOKANE County, WASHINGTON, 99207

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $148,626 to AVISTA CORPORATION for work described as: ELECTRIC AND GAS SERVICES - SPOKANE CAMPUS Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Avista Corporation for electric and gas services. 2. The contract is for the Spokane campus of the CDC. 3. The award amount is $148,626. 4. The contract duration is 364 days. 5. The contract type is a Purchase Order with Firm Fixed Price.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $148,626 for a year of electric services appears reasonable for a campus setting. However, without specific usage data or comparison to similar campus utility contracts, a precise pricing assessment is difficult.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was not available for competition, indicating a limited competition scenario. This could potentially lead to less favorable pricing compared to a fully competitive environment, as the agency may not have explored all available market options.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may result in a slightly higher cost to taxpayers than if the contract were competitively bid, though the overall value appears modest.

Public Impact

Ensures continuous power supply for critical CDC operations at the Spokane campus. Supports essential research and public health activities conducted at the facility. Provides necessary infrastructure for the daily functioning of the CDC's Spokane operations.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 40 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition
Lack of detailed cost breakdown

Positive Signals

Essential service provision
Clear contract duration

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under utility services, specifically electric power distribution. Utility costs for federal facilities can vary significantly based on location, size, and energy consumption patterns. Benchmarks for such services are often localized.

Small Business Impact

The awardee, Avista Corporation, is a large utility company, not a small business. There is no indication that small businesses were involved in subcontracting opportunities for this specific contract.

Oversight & Accountability

As a Purchase Order, oversight may be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. However, the agency is responsible for ensuring the services meet the agreed-upon terms and conditions.

Related Government Programs

Electric Power Distribution
Department of Health and Human Services Contracting
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for overpayment due to limited competition.
Lack of transparency regarding the justification for limited competition.
Absence of defined performance metrics.
No clear indication of small business participation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $148,626 to AVISTA CORPORATION. ELECTRIC AND GAS SERVICES - SPOKANE CAMPUS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AVISTA CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $148,626.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2027-04-02.

What is the historical cost of electricity for the Spokane campus and how does this award compare?

Historical electricity costs for the Spokane campus are not provided in the data. To assess value, a comparison with previous utility expenditures for this specific campus or similar federal facilities in Washington state would be necessary. Without this context, it's difficult to definitively state if $148,626 represents optimal value.

What factors contributed to the 'not available for competition' determination?

The specific reasons for the 'not available for competition' determination are not detailed. Typically, this designation is used when only one source is capable of meeting the requirement due to unique capabilities, urgent needs, or specific geographic service areas. Understanding the justification is key to assessing potential risks to fair pricing.

Are there any performance metrics or service level agreements associated with this contract?

The provided data does not specify any performance metrics or service level agreements. For essential services like electricity, clear expectations regarding reliability, response times for outages, and power quality are crucial for ensuring operational effectiveness and taxpayer value. The absence of this information is a potential oversight.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Electric Power Distribution

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › UTILITIES

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: 1411 E MISSION AVE, SPOKANE, WA, 99202

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $148,626

Exercised Options: $148,626

Current Obligation: $148,626

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline