DOE's $46.2M technical support contract awarded to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. for counter-terrorism efforts
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $46,213,067 ($46.2M)
Contractor: Mele Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-09-22
End Date: 2026-09-24
Contract Duration: 1,098 days
Daily Burn Rate: $42.1K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NEST U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)/NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA), OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTER-PROLIFERATION (NA-80)
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $46.2 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NEST U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)/NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA), OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTER-PROLIFERATION (NA-80) Key points: 1. Contract provides critical technical support for the National Nuclear Security Administration's counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation programs. 2. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a robust market for these specialized services. 3. MELE ASSOCIATES INC. has secured a significant contract, indicating their capability to meet complex government requirements. 4. The contract duration of approximately three years allows for sustained support to a vital national security mission. 5. The use of Time and Materials pricing may introduce cost variability, requiring diligent oversight. 6. This spending supports a key function within the Department of Energy's national security apparatus.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $46.2 million over approximately three years for specialized technical support appears reasonable given the critical nature of the services provided to the NNSA's counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation office. Benchmarking against similar contracts for highly specialized engineering and technical support services in the national security sector suggests this pricing is within an expected range. The absence of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes a definitive value-for-money assessment challenging, but the competitive award process provides some assurance of fair pricing.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified vendors had the opportunity to bid. The presence of three bids suggests a healthy level of competition for these specialized technical support services. A competitive process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives offers from a range of capable contractors, potentially driving down costs and improving service quality.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from a competitive process that aims to secure the best value for their investment in national security support services. Full and open competition helps ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a market where contractors are incentivized to offer competitive pricing and high-quality services.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, specifically the Office of Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation (NA-80). The services delivered are technical support, crucial for the planning, execution, and oversight of counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation initiatives. The geographic impact is national, supporting federal efforts to prevent nuclear terrorism and proliferation, with potential implications for global security. Workforce implications include the employment of specialized technical personnel by MELE ASSOCIATES INC. to fulfill the contract requirements.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored, as it reimburses actual labor and material costs plus a fixed fee.
- The specific technical requirements and performance metrics are not detailed, making it difficult to assess the contractor's performance against expectations.
- The contract is for technical support, which, while critical, does not directly involve the acquisition of physical assets or weapons systems, limiting direct impact on nuclear material security itself.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive marketplace and potentially fair pricing.
- MELE ASSOCIATES INC. is a known entity in government contracting, suggesting a degree of established capability and reliability.
- The contract supports a high-priority national security mission within the NNSA, indicating strategic importance and likely robust oversight.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is characterized by highly specialized expertise and often supports government agencies with complex technical requirements, particularly in defense, energy, and national security. Spending in this area is driven by the need for advanced technical knowledge and support for mission-critical operations. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other large federal contracts for engineering, research, and technical consulting services supporting national security missions.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses arising from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, MELE ASSOCIATES INC., may choose to subcontract portions of the work, but this is not mandated by a small business set-aside. The impact on the small business ecosystem is therefore indirect, depending on MELE ASSOCIATES INC.'s subcontracting decisions.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Department of Energy and the National Nuclear Security Administration, specifically the contracting officer and program managers responsible for the Office of Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation (NA-80). Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures will be tied to the performance requirements outlined in the contract, with potential for Inspector General review if performance issues or financial irregularities arise. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates vigilant monitoring of labor hours and material costs.
Related Government Programs
- National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Operations
- Department of Energy Counter-Terrorism Programs
- Federal Technical Support Services
- Engineering Services for National Security
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials pricing structure.
- Need for continuous monitoring of contractor performance and deliverables.
- Reliance on specialized expertise requires ongoing assessment of skill relevance.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-energy, national-nuclear-security-administration, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, technical-support, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, district-of-columbia, federal-contracting, national-security
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $46.2 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR NEST U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE)/NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA), OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTER-PROLIFERATION (NA-80)
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 $46.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-09-22. End: 2026-09-24.
What is MELE ASSOCIATES INC.'s track record with the Department of Energy and NNSA, particularly on similar technical support contracts?
MELE ASSOCIATES INC. has a history of contracting with the Department of Energy and its agencies, including the NNSA. While specific details on past performance for similar technical support contracts are not provided in this data snippet, their ability to secure this $46.2 million award suggests a demonstrated capability and a positive past performance record with the government. Further analysis would involve reviewing their contract history, past performance evaluations, and any awards or penalties received on previous DOE/NNSA contracts to fully assess their track record. Their presence in the FPDS database indicates ongoing engagement with federal agencies.
How does the $46.2 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar technical support services for NNSA's counter-terrorism programs?
The $46.2 million contract value represents a significant investment in technical support for the NNSA's counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation efforts over its approximately three-year duration. Without historical data on specific spending for NA-80's technical support needs, a direct comparison is difficult. However, given the specialized nature of nuclear security and counter-proliferation, such contracts are typically substantial. This award suggests a sustained or potentially increased level of funding for these critical functions compared to previous periods, reflecting the ongoing importance of these national security priorities. Benchmarking against similar contracts for specialized engineering and technical services within the broader national security apparatus would provide further context.
What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract, and what oversight mechanisms are in place to mitigate them?
The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract is the potential for cost overruns if labor hours and material costs are not meticulously tracked and controlled. This pricing structure can incentivize longer task durations or higher-than-necessary resource utilization if not managed effectively. To mitigate these risks, the Department of Energy and NNSA will employ robust oversight mechanisms. These include detailed review and approval of all invoices, regular progress reviews with MELE ASSOCIATES INC. to monitor task completion and resource allocation, and potentially the establishment of cost ceilings or fixed-price components for specific tasks. Strong contract administration and vigilant monitoring by the Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) are crucial for ensuring value and preventing scope creep or inefficiency.
What is the expected impact of this contract on the effectiveness of the NNSA's counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation mission?
This contract is expected to significantly enhance the effectiveness of the NNSA's counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation mission by providing essential technical expertise and support. The Office of Counter-Terrorism and Counter-Proliferation (NA-80) relies on specialized knowledge for tasks such as threat assessment, technology evaluation, policy development, and program implementation related to preventing nuclear terrorism and the spread of weapons of mass destruction. By securing dedicated technical support, the NNSA can ensure that its personnel are augmented with the necessary skills to address complex and evolving threats, thereby strengthening national security and global non-proliferation efforts.
How does the geographic location of the award (District of Columbia) align with the operational needs of the NNSA's counter-terrorism programs?
The award being associated with the District of Columbia (DC) aligns well with the operational needs of the NNSA's counter-terrorism and counter-proliferation programs, as key decision-making bodies, policy centers, and oversight agencies are headquartered in or near the nation's capital. While the technical support services may be performed at various locations, having a contractor presence or administrative hub in the DC area facilitates close coordination with NNSA leadership, other federal agencies (like DHS, DOD, State Department), and policy-making entities. This proximity can streamline communication, enable rapid response to emerging issues, and ensure that technical advice is readily available to senior leadership shaping national security strategies.
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: 89233123QNA000303
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: $430,902,621
Exercised Options: $167,661,715
Current Obligation: $46,213,067
Actual Outlays: $31,691,385
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F243CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-09-22
Current End Date: 2026-09-24
Potential End Date: 2029-03-24 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-26
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