DOE/NNSA awards $41.4M for technical, analytical, and programmatic support services to MELE ASSOCIATES INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,393,678 ($41.4M)

Contractor: Mele Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2022-10-01

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,460 days

Daily Burn Rate: $28.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S (DOE/NNSA)BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) HOLDERS--RFQ 89233122QNA000228 TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $41.4 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S (DOE/NNSA)BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) HOLDERS--RFQ 89233122QNA000228 TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for safety, infrastructure, and operations within the National Nuclear Security Administration. 2. The award utilizes a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) structure, indicating a pre-established framework for services. 3. MELE ASSOCIATES INC. is the sole awardee under this specific Delivery Order, though the BPA may have multiple holders. 4. The contract duration spans four years, from October 2022 to September 2026, ensuring continuity of services. 5. Services encompass technical, analytical, and programmatic support, crucial for complex governmental functions. 6. The contract type is Time and Materials, which can present cost control challenges if not closely managed.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The total award amount of $41.4 million over four years suggests a significant investment in specialized support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for technical, analytical, and programmatic support within federal agencies is necessary for a precise value assessment. However, the use of a BPA indicates some level of pre-negotiated terms, potentially offering better value than a completely new solicitation. The Time and Materials pricing structure requires diligent oversight to ensure costs remain within reasonable bounds and reflect actual effort expended.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This Delivery Order was issued under a Full and Open Competition BPA. While the BPA itself was competed, the specifics of how many bidders vied for the overall BPA and this particular Delivery Order are not detailed in the provided data. A full and open competition generally leads to a wider pool of potential offerors, fostering price discovery and potentially driving down costs through competitive pressures.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it increases the likelihood of obtaining services at competitive market rates, preventing potential overpayment.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, receiving critical support for their safety, infrastructure, and programmatic initiatives. The services delivered are technical, analytical, and programmatic, aiding in the complex decision-making and operational execution within these agencies. The geographic impact is centered in Washington D.C., where the Department of Energy and NNSA headquarters are located. Workforce implications include the potential for MELE ASSOCIATES INC. to utilize its skilled personnel to fulfill these support roles, contributing to specialized employment within the federal contracting sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously monitored and controlled.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the services rendered.
The reliance on a single awardee for this Delivery Order, even under a competed BPA, warrants attention to ensure continued competitive pressure for future needs.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded under a Full and Open Competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
The duration of the contract (four years) provides stability and allows for the development of deep institutional knowledge by the contractor.
The services provided are critical to the mission of the NNSA, indicating a recognized need and value for MELE ASSOCIATES INC.'s expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a broad category encompassing firms that provide engineering consulting and services. The federal government, particularly agencies like the Department of Energy and NNSA, frequently procures such specialized support for complex technical, safety, and infrastructure projects. The market for these services is competitive, with numerous firms capable of providing the required expertise. The total value of $41.4 million over four years is a substantial award, reflecting the critical nature and scope of the support required by the NNSA.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false) and there is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting requirements (ss: false). This suggests that the primary award went to a large business or that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses were not a specific focus of this particular delivery order. Further analysis of the BPA's overall structure might reveal subcontracting plans, but based on this data, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears limited for this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration. As a Delivery Order under a BPA, there are likely established reporting requirements and performance monitoring mechanisms. The Time and Materials nature of the contract necessitates close financial oversight to ensure that labor hours and material costs are reasonable and directly related to the work performed. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract reporting systems, and while an Inspector General may have jurisdiction, specific oversight activities are not detailed here.

Related Government Programs

Department of Energy - General Services
National Nuclear Security Administration - Operations Support
Engineering and Technical Consulting Services
Program Management Support
Infrastructure Support Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
Need for robust oversight to ensure value for money and prevent scope creep.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical NNSA functions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $41.4 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S (DOE/NNSA)BLANKET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (BPA) HOLDERS--RFQ 89233122QNA000228 TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF SAFETY, INFRASTRUCTURE AND

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 $41.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the track record of MELE ASSOCIATES INC. in performing similar technical, analytical, and programmatic support services for federal agencies, particularly within the defense and energy sectors

MELE ASSOCIATES INC. has a history of providing technical, analytical, and programmatic support services to various federal agencies. Their experience often includes areas related to national security, energy, and defense. A detailed review of their past performance on similar contracts, including client feedback, past performance evaluations, and any documented issues or successes, would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and reliability for this specific NNSA requirement. Their portfolio typically demonstrates a focus on specialized scientific, engineering, and management support crucial for complex governmental missions.

How does the awarded amount of $41.4 million compare to the typical cost of similar support services procured by the NNSA or other agencies with comparable missions?

The $41.4 million award over four years equates to an average annual value of approximately $10.35 million. To benchmark this effectively, one would need to compare it against contracts for similar technical, analytical, and programmatic support services awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Energy, or other entities managing complex national security or scientific programs. Factors such as the specific scope of work, required expertise levels, security clearances, and contract duration significantly influence pricing. Without direct comparable contract data, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents excellent, fair, or concerning value, but it falls within a range expected for significant, multi-year federal support contracts.

What are the primary risks associated with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract of this magnitude and duration, and what mitigation strategies are typically employed?

The primary risk with a T&M contract is the potential for cost overruns, as the government pays for the actual labor hours and materials used, rather than a fixed price. This can lead to scope creep and inefficient use of resources if not managed tightly. Mitigation strategies include robust oversight by the contracting officer's representative (COR), detailed tracking and verification of all labor hours and material costs, clear definition of work requirements, and regular performance reviews. Establishing not-to-exceed (NTE) limits for task orders and the overall contract, along with strong communication channels with the contractor, are also crucial for controlling costs and ensuring value.

What is the strategic importance of the technical, analytical, and programmatic support services being procured by the NNSA through this contract?

The technical, analytical, and programmatic support services are strategically vital for the NNSA's mission, which involves ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, as well as advancing nuclear nonproliferation efforts and promoting global nuclear security. These services likely contribute to critical functions such as risk assessments, policy development, program planning and execution, technical analysis of complex systems, and ensuring compliance with safety and security regulations. The continuity of such support is essential for maintaining operational effectiveness and achieving the NNSA's core objectives in a highly complex and sensitive domain.

How has federal spending on engineering and technical support services, particularly within the Department of Energy and NNSA, trended over the past five years?

Federal spending on engineering and technical support services, especially within the Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), has generally remained substantial and often increased over the past five years. This trend is driven by ongoing modernization efforts, national security imperatives, and the need for specialized expertise in areas like nuclear weapons management, energy research, and infrastructure security. Agencies like the NNSA consistently require significant contractor support to augment their government workforce and address highly technical and specialized requirements. Analyzing historical spending patterns for similar contract vehicles and service categories within these agencies would provide context for the current award's scale.

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: 89233122QNA000228

Offers Received: 3

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: $47,328,359

Exercised Options: $41,393,678

Current Obligation: $41,393,678

Actual Outlays: $31,546,780

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F243CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline