DOE's NNSA Awards $13.7M for Vault Activities and Technical Support to MELE ASSOCIATES INC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,712,474 ($13.7M)
Contractor: Mele Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-03-04
End Date: 2026-09-05
Contract Duration: 550 days
Daily Burn Rate: $24.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION VAULT ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $13.7 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION VAULT ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. MELE ASSOCIATES INC secures a significant contract for specialized counterterrorism and counterproliferation support. 2. The contract value of $13.7M indicates a substantial need for these critical services. 3. Competition method was 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION', suggesting a robust market for these services. 4. The sector is primarily engineering services, vital for national security infrastructure.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $13.7M for 550 labor hours appears reasonable given the specialized nature of counterterrorism and counterproliferation support. Benchmarking against similar highly technical, security-cleared services suggests this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: $24,932 per labor hour
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to drive fair pricing and ensure the government receives the best value for these critical services.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential national security functions, with competition aiming to ensure efficient allocation of resources.
Public Impact
Ensures continued support for critical national security functions related to counterterrorism and counterproliferation. Supports specialized technical expertise required for maintaining secure vault activities. The award to MELE ASSOCIATES INC highlights the importance of private sector partnerships in government security operations.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep in technical support services.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical national security functions.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports vital national security mission.
- Clear contract duration and delivery order structure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), which is crucial for national security and specialized government operations. Spending in this sector often reflects complex technical requirements and high levels of expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the prime contractor, MELE ASSOCIATES INC, is not listed as a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard oversight mechanisms for delivery orders under larger contracts would apply, focusing on performance and adherence to terms.
Related Government Programs
- Engineering Services
- Department of Energy Contracting
- Department of Energy Programs
Risk Flags
- Contract duration extends into FY2026, requiring ongoing budget allocation.
- Specialized nature of services may limit the pool of qualified competitors.
- Potential for single-source dependency if follow-on contracts are not competed.
- Performance monitoring is critical for specialized technical support.
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 $13.7 million to MELE ASSOCIATES INC. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTERPROLIFERATION VAULT ACTIVITIES AND TECHNICAL 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 $13.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-04. End: 2026-09-05.
What specific technical expertise does MELE ASSOCIATES INC bring to vault activities and counterproliferation support that justifies the per-unit cost?
MELE ASSOCIATES INC likely possesses specialized knowledge in areas such as nuclear material security, insider threat mitigation, physical security systems, and regulatory compliance pertinent to classified materials. Their expertise may include threat assessment, risk analysis, and the development of security protocols tailored to sensitive government facilities, justifying a higher per-unit cost due to the unique and critical nature of the services provided.
What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single contractor for critical counterterrorism and counterproliferation vault activities?
The primary risks include potential disruptions to essential services if the contractor faces financial instability, personnel issues, or fails to meet performance standards. There's also a risk of reduced innovation and increased costs over time due to a lack of ongoing competitive pressure. Over-reliance can create a single point of failure for national security operations.
How effectively does the 'full and open competition' method ensure value for money in specialized national security services like these?
Full and open competition is designed to maximize value by encouraging a wide range of qualified bidders, fostering price competition, and ensuring the government selects the offer that best meets its technical and cost requirements. For specialized services, its effectiveness depends on clearly defining requirements and ensuring sufficient qualified vendors exist to create a truly competitive landscape.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
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: $18,664,689
Exercised Options: $18,664,689
Current Obligation: $13,712,474
Actual Outlays: $7,729,453
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F243CA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-03-04
Current End Date: 2026-09-05
Potential End Date: 2026-09-05 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-25
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