DOE NNSA Awards $11.7M for Technical Support Services to MELE ASSOCIATES INC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,756,265 ($11.8M)

Contractor: Mele Associates Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2022-09-15

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,476 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.0K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA) OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & HEALTH TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES

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 $11.8 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA) OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & HEALTH TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND PROGRAMMATIC SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for technical, analytical, and programmatic support. 2. The contract is for Engineering Services with a value of $11.7 million. 3. Awarded under full and open competition, indicating a competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is approximately 4 years, ending in September 2026.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract is a Time and Materials type, which can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Benchmarking against similar engineering services contracts is difficult without more specific task details.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. However, the Time and Materials pricing structure may limit the effectiveness of initial price competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers are likely receiving competitive pricing due to the open competition, but the Time and Materials structure necessitates vigilant oversight to control costs.

Public Impact

Supports critical environment, safety, and health functions within the NNSA. The services provided are essential for the safe and effective operation of nuclear facilities. The contract ensures continuity of specialized technical expertise for the agency.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 75 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost uncertainty.
  • Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to assess value for money.
  • Small business participation is not indicated.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition.
  • Supports critical safety and environmental functions.
  • Long-term contract provides stability for essential services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under Engineering Services, a broad category often involving specialized technical expertise. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project complexity and agency needs. The NNSA's focus on safety and security suggests a need for high-quality, reliable services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit mention of small business subcontracting goals or participation in the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

The Time and Materials contract type requires robust oversight from the Department of Energy to ensure costs are reasonable and allocable to the contract's objectives. Regular reviews of labor hours and material costs are crucial for accountability.

Related Government Programs

  • Engineering Services
  • Department of Energy Contracting
  • Department of Energy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing.
  • Lack of defined performance metrics.
  • No indication of small business subcontracting.
  • Limited insight into specific service deliverables.
  • Contract duration extends into a future administration, potentially impacting strategic alignment.

Tags

engineering-services, department-of-energy, dc, delivery-order, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $11.8 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA) OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENT, SAFETY & HEALTH TECHNICAL, ANALYTICAL, AND PROGRAMMATIC 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 $11.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-15. End: 2026-09-30.

How does the Time and Materials pricing structure compare to fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee contracts for similar engineering support services in terms of overall cost efficiency and risk to the g

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts generally offer less cost certainty for the government compared to fixed-price or cost-plus-fixed-fee (CPFF) contracts. While T&M can be flexible for undefined scopes, it places the burden of cost control on the government's oversight. CPFF provides a more predictable ceiling, and fixed-price contracts offer the most cost certainty if the scope is well-defined. For engineering services, a well-defined scope often favors fixed-price or CPFF for better value and risk management.

What specific technical, analytical, and programmatic support tasks are included under this contract, and how are they aligned with the NNSA's core mission objectives?

The provided data does not detail the specific tasks. However, given the NNSA's mission, these services likely encompass technical assessments of safety protocols, analytical support for environmental impact studies, and programmatic management for safety initiatives. Alignment would involve ensuring these services directly contribute to maintaining the safety and security of nuclear materials and facilities, and managing environmental responsibilities.

What mechanisms are in place to ensure the quality and effectiveness of the technical, analytical, and programmatic support provided by MELE ASSOCIATES INC, beyond just tracking hours and materials?

Effective oversight for T&M contracts typically involves establishing clear performance standards, key performance indicators (KPIs), and regular progress reviews. The government contracting officer and technical representatives must actively monitor deliverables, assess the quality of analysis and recommendations, and ensure the contractor's personnel possess the requisite expertise. Feedback mechanisms and potential incentives or penalties tied to performance quality are also crucial.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesArchitectural, Engineering, and Related ServicesEngineering 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: 89233122QNA000258

Offers Received: 4

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: $18,725,752

Exercised Options: $16,015,095

Current Obligation: $11,756,265

Actual Outlays: $9,761,604

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS00F243CA

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-09-15

Current End Date: 2026-09-30

Potential End Date: 2027-09-30 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-20

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