DOE's $32.6M contract for vault activities and technical support services awarded to MELE ASSOCIATES INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $32,622,885 ($32.6M)
Contractor: Mele Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2019-09-06
End Date: 2025-03-05
Contract Duration: 2,007 days
Daily Burn Rate: $16.3K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION VAULT ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $32.6 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION VAULT ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential technical support for counterterrorism and counterproliferation efforts. 2. MELE ASSOCIATES INC. has a significant role in supporting critical national security functions. 3. The contract duration spans over five years, indicating a long-term need for these services. 4. Performance is concentrated in the District of Columbia, highlighting a key operational hub. 5. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $32.6 million over approximately five years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized technical support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for counterterrorism and counterproliferation support services is challenging without more granular data on the specific tasks. However, the pricing appears to be within a reasonable range for highly specialized engineering and technical expertise required for national security missions. The value proposition lies in ensuring the continuity of critical vault activities and technical support.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple capable vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of two bids suggests a competitive environment, though the exact number of interested parties is not detailed. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives services at a fair market price. The selection of MELE ASSOCIATES INC. implies they offered the best value proposition among the competing offers.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive award process that aims to secure specialized services at optimal pricing, preventing potential overspending and ensuring efficient allocation of resources for national security.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, ensuring the security and integrity of critical vault activities. Services delivered include technical support crucial for counterterrorism and counterproliferation efforts, safeguarding national security. The geographic impact is centered in the District of Columbia, a key location for federal operations. The contract supports a specialized workforce of engineers and technical experts, contributing to the national security sector's human capital.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for vendor lock-in if specialized knowledge becomes highly concentrated with MELE ASSOCIATES INC.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical national security functions requires robust oversight.
- Scope creep could increase costs beyond the initial $32.6 million if not managed effectively.
Positive Signals
- MELE ASSOCIATES INC. has a demonstrated track record in providing specialized technical services.
- The full and open competition process suggests a healthy market and potential for future competitive renewals.
- The contract's long duration indicates a stable and predictable need for these vital services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting government agencies involved in national security and defense. The market for such specialized technical support is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified firms capable of meeting stringent security and technical requirements. Spending in this niche is driven by the unique demands of agencies like the NNSA, which require expertise in areas such as counterterrorism and counterproliferation. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found within other defense and national security-related engineering service contracts.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside component, as indicated by 'sb': false. There is no explicit mention of subcontracting goals for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal, unless MELE ASSOCIATES INC. voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors for specific components of the work.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract is primarily managed by the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration. Accountability measures would be embedded within the contract's performance work statement and delivery orders, with regular reviews and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), which records contract awards. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- National Nuclear Security Administration Operations
- Department of Energy Counterterrorism Programs
- Federal Technical Support Services
- Engineering Services for National Security
Risk Flags
- Critical National Security Services
- Long-Term Contract Duration
- Concentrated Geographic Performance
Tags
department-of-energy, national-nuclear-security-administration, counterterrorism, counterproliferation, engineering-services, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, district-of-columbia, technical-support, national-security, mele-associates-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $32.6 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION VAULT ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is MELE ASSOCIATES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $32.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-09-06. End: 2025-03-05.
What is MELE ASSOCIATES INC.'s specific experience and track record in providing vault activities and technical support services for counterterrorism and counterproliferation?
MELE ASSOCIATES INC. has a history of providing specialized technical and management support services to various government agencies, including those within the defense and energy sectors. Their expertise often encompasses areas critical to national security, such as program management, engineering analysis, and technical assistance. For vault activities and counterterrorism/counterproliferation support, their experience likely involves ensuring the security, integrity, and operational readiness of sensitive facilities and materials. This includes providing subject matter expertise, developing and implementing security protocols, and supporting technical assessments related to preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Their track record is generally characterized by successful contract performance and a focus on mission-critical support, as evidenced by their continued awards in this specialized domain.
How does the $32.6 million contract value compare to similar contracts for specialized technical support in national security?
The $32.6 million contract value over approximately five years represents a moderate investment for specialized technical support within the national security domain. Contracts of this nature, particularly those involving counterterrorism and counterproliferation, often require highly specialized expertise and stringent security clearances, which can command premium pricing. While direct comparisons are difficult without knowing the exact scope of work and specific deliverables, similar contracts for engineering services, technical consulting, and program support to agencies like the Department of Defense or other intelligence community components can range from tens of millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the duration, complexity, and criticality of the services. This DOE contract appears to be within a typical range for sustained, high-level technical support for a niche national security mission.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to assess the performance of MELE ASSOCIATES INC. under this contract?
While specific KPIs are not publicly detailed in the award data, performance for contracts of this nature typically revolves around several key areas. These often include the timeliness and accuracy of technical reports and analyses, the effectiveness of implemented security protocols, the successful execution of vault activities, and the responsiveness of support personnel. Metrics might also track the number of successful technical assessments, the adherence to project schedules and budgets, and client satisfaction feedback from the National Nuclear Security Administration. Performance is usually evaluated through regular progress reports, formal reviews, and potentially through the achievement of specific milestones outlined in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). Failure to meet these KPIs could result in contractual remedies or impact future award decisions.
What is the historical spending pattern for vault activities and technical support services by the Department of Energy or NNSA?
Historical spending patterns for vault activities and technical support services by the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) are generally consistent with the ongoing need for specialized expertise in nuclear security, counterterrorism, and counterproliferation. The NNSA, in particular, manages a vast portfolio of programs requiring continuous technical support for facilities, research, and operational security. Spending in this area is driven by national security imperatives and the lifecycle management of nuclear materials and technologies. While specific historical figures for this exact contract type are not readily available, the DOE and NNSA consistently allocate significant budgets towards ensuring the safety, security, and non-proliferation of nuclear materials, which includes substantial investments in technical support services, engineering, and program management over many years.
Are there any identified risks associated with MELE ASSOCIATES INC.'s performance or the nature of the services provided?
Risks associated with this contract can be categorized into several areas. Firstly, there's the inherent risk tied to the criticality of the services; any lapse in vault security or technical support for counterterrorism/counterproliferation could have severe national security implications. Secondly, there's the risk of personnel turnover or loss of key expertise within MELE ASSOCIATES INC., which could disrupt service continuity. Thirdly, potential risks include scope creep, where the requirements expand beyond the original contract, leading to cost overruns. Finally, cybersecurity risks are paramount, given the sensitive nature of the data and operations involved. Effective risk mitigation strategies, including robust oversight, clear performance expectations, and contingency planning, are crucial for managing these potential issues.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Solicitation ID: 89233119QNA000063
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 11 TAFT CT, ROCKVILLE, MD, 20850
Business Categories: Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $32,622,885
Exercised Options: $32,622,885
Current Obligation: $32,622,885
Actual Outlays: $27,943,983
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F243CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-09-06
Current End Date: 2025-03-05
Potential End Date: 2025-03-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-08-07
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