Department of Energy awards $8.5M contract for arms control technical support to Cogent Security Consulting LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,516,978 ($8.5M)
Contractor: Cogent Security Consulting LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-09-16
End Date: 2026-09-15
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL (NA-24)
Place of Performance
Location: ALEXANDRIA, ALEXANDRIA CITY County, VIRGINIA, 22314
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $8.5 million to COGENT SECURITY CONSULTING LLC for work described as: TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL (NA-24) Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized technical and analytical support. 2. Full and open competition suggests a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear scope and defined period of performance. 4. Performance context is within the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control. 5. Sector positioning is within management consulting services for government agencies.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $8.5 million for a one-year period appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized technical and analytical support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for administrative management and general management consulting services would provide a more precise assessment of value for money. However, given the niche area of nonproliferation and arms control, specialized expertise likely commands a premium.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of 3 bidders suggests a moderate level of competition for this specialized service. A higher number of bidders would typically lead to more aggressive pricing and potentially better value, but three bidders in a niche area is not necessarily indicative of poor price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it encourages multiple firms to compete, potentially driving down costs and ensuring the government receives competitive pricing for its needs.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy's Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control, which will receive essential technical and analytical support. Services delivered will likely include policy analysis, technical assessments, and strategic planning related to arms control and nonproliferation efforts. The geographic impact is primarily within the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, where the Department of Energy is headquartered. Workforce implications may involve specialized consultants contributing to national security objectives.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
- Reliance on a single contractor for critical analytical support could pose a risk if performance falters.
Positive Signals
- Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Clear period of performance (one year) with defined end date.
- Contract type (Time and Materials) allows for flexibility in addressing evolving needs within the scope.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on management consulting. The market for these services is large and diverse, with many firms offering specialized expertise. The Department of Energy's spending in this area supports its mission-critical functions, including national security and nonproliferation efforts. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other government contracts for similar analytical and technical support services within national security or scientific agencies.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless Cogent Security Consulting LLC utilizes small business subcontractors, which is not specified.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers within the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of services as outlined in the contract's statement of work. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases, though specific performance details may be sensitive.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy - Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control
- Federal Management Consulting Services
- National Security Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Potential for reliance on specialized knowledge held by the contractor.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure quality and accuracy of sensitive analyses.
Tags
department-of-energy, technical-support, analytical-support, nonproliferation, arms-control, management-consulting, full-and-open-competition, time-and-materials, delivery-order, national-security, virginia
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $8.5 million to COGENT SECURITY CONSULTING LLC. TECHNICAL AND ANALYTICAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE OFFICE OF NONPROLIFERATION AND ARMS CONTROL (NA-24)
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COGENT SECURITY CONSULTING LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-16. End: 2026-09-15.
What is the track record of Cogent Security Consulting LLC in providing similar technical and analytical support services to federal agencies, particularly in the area of nonproliferation and arms con
Information regarding the specific track record of Cogent Security Consulting LLC in providing technical and analytical support services, especially within the niche area of nonproliferation and arms control, is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, client references, and the company's portfolio of similar projects. Federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS) would be the primary sources for evaluating their history. Without this specific data, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability and past success in this specialized domain.
How does the awarded amount of $8.5 million compare to the typical cost of similar technical and analytical support contracts within the Department of Energy or other agencies focused on national secu
The awarded amount of $8.5 million for a one-year contract for technical and analytical support services for nonproliferation and arms control is a significant sum, suggesting specialized expertise is required. To benchmark this value, one would need to compare it against similar contracts awarded by agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of State, or other intelligence community components that deal with arms control, nonproliferation, or related national security analysis. Factors such as the duration of the contract, the specific deliverables, the level of security clearance required, and the number of personnel involved would influence comparability. A preliminary assessment suggests this amount is plausible for highly specialized, mission-critical support, but a detailed market analysis of comparable contracts is necessary for a definitive value-for-money judgment.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success and effectiveness of Cogent Security Consulting LLC's performance under this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics that will be used to evaluate the success and effectiveness of Cogent Security Consulting LLC's performance. Typically, such metrics are detailed within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS). These KPIs would likely relate to the quality of analysis provided, adherence to deadlines for reports and assessments, accuracy of technical evaluations, contribution to policy development, and overall responsiveness to the needs of the Office of Nonproliferation and Arms Control. The Department of Energy's program managers and contracting officers would be responsible for monitoring these KPIs and assessing contractor performance against them throughout the contract period.
Given the 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services' NAICS code, how does this specific contract's focus on nonproliferation and arms control represent a specialized applic
The NAICS code 541611, 'Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services,' is a broad category encompassing a wide range of advisory and assistance services. This contract represents a highly specialized application within that code, focusing specifically on the complex and sensitive domain of nonproliferation and arms control. While general management consulting might involve organizational efficiency or strategic planning, this contract requires deep technical expertise, policy analysis, and an understanding of international security issues related to weapons of mass destruction. The value here lies in applying management consulting principles and analytical rigor to a very specific, high-stakes national security mission, rather than general business operations.
What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Energy for technical and analytical support services related to nonproliferation and arms control, and how does this $8.5 million award fit
The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for the Department of Energy (DOE) related to nonproliferation and arms control technical and analytical support. To understand this contract's place in the trend, one would need to analyze past DOE contracts for similar services over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal whether spending in this area is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable, and whether this $8.5 million award is typical, higher, or lower than previous awards. Factors such as shifts in global security threats, changes in administration policy, or new legislative mandates could influence historical spending and the current award amount.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting 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: 89233125QNA000392
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 111 FRANKLIN ST, ALEXANDRIA, VA, 22314
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $59,656,078
Exercised Options: $9,954,285
Current Obligation: $8,516,978
Actual Outlays: $3,122,918
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS00F301DA
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-16
Current End Date: 2026-09-15
Potential End Date: 2031-03-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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