DOE awards $37.5M for WMD Counterterrorism TTX and Training to MELE ASSOCIATES INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $37,522,600 ($37.5M)
Contractor: Mele Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-10-01
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,095 days
Daily Burn Rate: $34.3K/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 WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) COUNTERTERRORISM TABLETOP EXERCISE (TTX) AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA), OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTE
Place of Performance
Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $37.5 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) COUNTERTERRORISM TABLETOP EXERCISE (TTX) AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA), OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTE Key points: 1. Contract awarded to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for critical WMD counterterrorism support. 2. The contract value is $37.5 million over three years. 3. Competition method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. The sector involves specialized engineering services for national security.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $37.5M for three years of specialized technical support appears reasonable given the critical nature of WMD counterterrorism exercises and training. Benchmarking against similar complex, specialized government contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to compete. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for essential national security services.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by supporting WMD counterterrorism preparedness. Ensures effective training and exercises for critical government agencies. Supports specialized technical expertise in a high-stakes field.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns in complex, specialized service contracts.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical training and exercise support.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports vital national security functions.
- Long-term contract provides stability for essential services.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting national security initiatives related to Weapons of Mass Destruction counterterrorism. Spending in this niche area is driven by evolving threats and the need for specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this specific award, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, an agency with established oversight mechanisms. Further review of performance reports and audits would be necessary to assess ongoing accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Critical national security function.
- Awarded via full and open competition.
- Long-term contract duration.
- Specialized technical expertise required.
- Potential for evolving threat landscape.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-energy, md, delivery-order, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $37.5 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION (WMD) COUNTERTERRORISM TABLETOP EXERCISE (TTX) AND TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION (NNSA), OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTE
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 $37.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-10-01. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the specific scope of 'technical support services' for WMD counterterrorism TTX and training?
Technical support services likely encompass a range of activities crucial for effective tabletop exercises and training programs. This could include curriculum development, scenario design, simulation technology management, logistical support for exercise execution, subject matter expert facilitation, and post-exercise analysis and reporting. The goal is to ensure realistic and impactful training that enhances the preparedness of DOE/NNSA personnel and partner agencies in responding to WMD threats.
What are the key risks associated with this contract, given its focus on WMD counterterrorism?
Key risks include the potential for evolving threat landscapes requiring rapid adaptation of training content, the need for highly specialized and scarce expertise, and the critical nature of any failure in training or exercise design which could have significant national security implications. Ensuring the contractor maintains up-to-date knowledge and possesses robust security clearances is paramount. Furthermore, the 'Time and Materials' contract type can pose a risk of cost escalation if not closely monitored.
How effective is this type of training and exercise in improving actual WMD counterterrorism response capabilities?
Tabletop exercises and training programs are generally considered effective foundational tools for improving response capabilities by identifying gaps in plans, policies, and procedures, and fostering interagency coordination. However, their ultimate effectiveness depends on the realism of scenarios, the quality of facilitation, the commitment of participants, and the subsequent implementation of identified improvements. They are a necessary but not sufficient component of a comprehensive counterterrorism strategy.
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: 89233123QNA000301
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: $184,315,417
Exercised Options: $97,427,911
Current Obligation: $37,522,600
Actual Outlays: $28,292,839
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F243CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-10-01
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2029-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
More Contracts from Mele Associates Inc
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Nuclear Security Administration (nnsa) Technical Engineering and Programmatic Support (teps-2) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Request for Information (RFI) in Support of the Office of Defense Nuclear Securi — $91.1M (Department of Energy)
- Technical Analytical Support Services (NA-70) Igf::ot::igf — $48.2M (Department of Energy)
- Technical and Analytical Support for the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control (NA-24) — $48.0M (Department of Energy)
- Technical Support Services for Nest U.S. Department of Energy (doe)/National Nuclear Security Administration (nnsa), Office of Counterterrorism and Counter-Proliferation (NA-80) — $46.2M (Department of Energy)
- Technical, Analytical, and Programmatic Support for the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's (doe/Nnsa) Office of Global Threat Reduction Initiative (NA-21) and the Office of Infrastructure and Operations (NA-00) — $41.9M (Department of Energy)
Other Department of Energy Contracts
- Federal Contract — $48.1B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- ,Ct::igf Contract Award De-Na0003525 to the National Technology&engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (ntess) for the Management and Operation of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — $41.7B (National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC)
- Management and Operation of the OAK Ridge National Laboratory — $40.8B (Ut-Battelle LLC)
- TAS::89 0240::TAS This Performance-Based Management Contract (pbmc) IS for the Management and Operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl). the Contractor Shall, in Accordance With the Provisions of This Contract, Accomplish the Missions and Programs Assigned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Manage and Operate the Laboratory. the Laboratory IS ONE of Does Office of Defense Program Multi-Program Laboratories. the Laboratory IS a Federally Funded Research and Development Institution (established in Accordance With the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Operated Under This Management and Operating (M&O) Contract, AS Defined in FAR 17.6 and Dear 917.6 — $40.8B (Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC)
- M&O of Lanl BR of U of CA — $35.3B (Regents of the University of California, the)