Department of Energy awards $48M for technical and analytical support to nonproliferation and arms control
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $48,024,501 ($48.0M)
Contractor: Mele Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2020-03-15
End Date: 2025-11-25
Contract Duration: 2,081 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL (NA-24).
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $48.0 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL (NA-24). Key points: 1. Contract provides essential expertise for critical national security functions. 2. MELE ASSOCIATES INC, a long-standing contractor, will deliver specialized services. 3. The contract duration of over 2000 days indicates a significant, ongoing need. 4. Performance is measured through delivery orders, suggesting a flexible, task-based approach. 5. The 'Engineering Services' NAICS code points to a focus on technical problem-solving. 6. Geographic concentration in Washington D.C. aligns with the agency's operational hub.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $48 million over approximately five years suggests a substantial investment in specialized support. Benchmarking this against similar contracts for technical and analytical services within the Department of Energy or other agencies involved in national security would provide a clearer picture of value for money. Without specific comparable data, the pricing appears reasonable for the duration and scope of services, which are critical for complex areas like nonproliferation and arms control.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a competitive process designed to solicit the best value. This approach typically leads to more robust price discovery and a wider range of technical solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve the quality of services received.
Public Impact
The Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NA-24) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential analytical and technical support. Services delivered are crucial for national security, focusing on preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The contract's impact is primarily national, supporting federal efforts in arms control policy and implementation. Workforce implications include the employment of specialized engineers and analysts by MELE ASSOCIATES INC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if task orders are not tightly managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical, long-term support could pose a risk if performance degrades.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive selection process.
- Long contract duration indicates a stable, ongoing need and potential for contractor expertise development.
- MELE ASSOCIATES INC has a history of performing government contracts, implying established capabilities.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting government functions related to national security and arms control. The market for such specialized technical and analytical support is driven by government needs for expertise in complex scientific, policy, and security domains. Comparable spending would include contracts for policy analysis, technical consulting, and research and development support within defense, energy, and foreign affairs agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, MELE ASSOCIATES INC, is responsible for its own staffing and resource management. Any subcontracting would be at their discretion to fulfill the contract requirements.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract is likely managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers within the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance metrics outlined in the contract and the successful completion of task orders. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance details may be sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy - National Nuclear Security Administration
- Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (historical)
- Department of State - Bureau of Arms Control, Verification and Compliance
- Department of Defense - Nonproliferation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value.
- Reliance on specialized expertise necessitates careful contractor performance monitoring.
Tags
department-of-energy, nonproliferation, arms-control, technical-support, analytical-support, engineering-services, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, delivery-order, district-of-columbia, national-security, mele-associates-inc
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $48.0 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL (NA-24).
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 $48.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-03-15. End: 2025-11-25.
What is the track record of MELE ASSOCIATES INC in performing similar technical and analytical support contracts for the federal government?
MELE ASSOCIATES INC has a significant history of performing contracts for various federal agencies, including the Department of Energy. Their expertise often lies in areas related to national security, energy policy, and technical consulting. Reviewing their past performance evaluations and contract history, particularly for similar services within the nonproliferation and arms control domain, would be crucial. Data from contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS can provide insights into their award history, past performance ratings, and any reported issues. A strong track record in delivering complex analytical support and meeting deadlines on previous government contracts would be a positive indicator for this current award.
How does the awarded amount of $48 million compare to historical spending on similar technical and analytical support services by the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NA-24)?
To assess the value for money, a comparison of the $48 million award against historical spending patterns for similar technical and analytical support by NA-24 is necessary. This would involve examining contract data for previous periods to understand the average annual expenditure for these services. If this $48 million award represents a significant increase or decrease compared to historical averages, it warrants further investigation. Factors such as inflation, changes in program scope, or increased demand for services could explain deviations. Without access to specific historical spending data for NA-24's support contracts, a precise comparison is difficult, but it is a key metric for evaluating the current contract's financial justification.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of MELE ASSOCIATES INC under this contract?
The success of MELE ASSOCIATES INC under this contract is likely evaluated through a set of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) tied to the specific task orders issued. While not explicitly detailed in the provided data, typical KPIs for technical and analytical support contracts include timeliness of deliverables, accuracy and quality of analysis, adherence to project milestones, responsiveness to agency requests, and overall client satisfaction. The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type suggests that performance might be monitored based on the efficient use of labor hours and the successful completion of defined tasks within estimated resource allocations. Formal performance reviews and feedback from the contracting officer's representative (COR) would be critical components of oversight.
What is the potential impact of this contract on the broader nonproliferation and arms control policy landscape?
This contract provides crucial technical and analytical support that directly informs the policy decisions and operational effectiveness of the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NA-24). The expertise provided by MELE ASSOCIATES INC can contribute to threat assessments, policy development, verification strategies, and international engagement efforts. High-quality analysis and technical insights are essential for navigating complex geopolitical issues related to nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons proliferation. Therefore, the successful execution of this contract can have a significant positive impact on the government's ability to effectively manage and mitigate proliferation risks, thereby enhancing national and global security.
Are there any specific risks associated with the 'TIME AND MATERIALS' contract type for this type of service, and how are they mitigated?
The 'TIME AND MATERIALS' (T&M) contract type, used here, carries inherent risks, primarily the potential for cost overruns if not managed carefully, as it reimburses the contractor for direct labor hours and costs incurred. Mitigation strategies typically involve establishing strong oversight by the government, including detailed monitoring of labor hours, review of material costs, and setting cost ceilings or CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) to control overall expenditure. The government also relies on the contractor's good faith and efficiency. For this contract, the 'full and open competition' award suggests that bidders proposed rates and estimated effort, and the agency will likely use task order limitations and regular performance reviews to manage risks and ensure value.
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: 89233120QNA000114
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
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: $48,024,501
Exercised Options: $48,024,501
Current Obligation: $48,024,501
Actual Outlays: $41,331,186
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F243CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-03-15
Current End Date: 2025-11-25
Potential End Date: 2026-03-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-11
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