DOE awards $3.8M for SBIR/STTR support services to Grey Street Consulting, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,881,905 ($3.9M)
Contractor: Grey Street Consulting, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2021-07-15
End Date: 2026-07-14
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: SBIR/STTR SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS OFFICE.
Place of Performance
Location: GERMANTOWN, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20874
State: Maryland Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $3.9 million to GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: SBIR/STTR SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS OFFICE. Key points: 1. Contract provides essential administrative support for DOE's innovation programs. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long contract duration (5 years) requires careful performance monitoring. 4. Focus on administrative services suggests a stable, ongoing need. 5. Small business status of the contractor is a positive signal for the ecosystem. 6. Geographic location in Maryland may indicate regional economic impact.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $3.8 million over five years averages to approximately $776,000 annually. Without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the nature of administrative support services often has a more predictable cost structure. Benchmarking against similar support contracts within the federal government for innovation program offices would be necessary for a more robust assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This limits the opportunity for multiple vendors to bid, potentially reducing price competition and innovation. The justification for a sole-source award, if available, would provide insight into why other vendors were not considered. The lack of competition means taxpayers may not be receiving the most cost-effective solution.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can lead to higher costs for taxpayers as the government does not benefit from competitive bidding to drive down prices.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy's SBIR/STTR programs, which receive crucial administrative support. Services delivered include office administrative support, ensuring the smooth operation of these key innovation funding programs. The contract's geographic impact is centered in Maryland, where the contractor is located. Workforce implications include employment opportunities for administrative professionals within Grey Street Consulting, LLC.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess efficiency and effectiveness.
- Long contract duration necessitates vigilant oversight to ensure continued value.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded to a small business, supporting the small business ecosystem.
- Administrative support is critical for the functioning of important R&D programs.
- Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty for the government.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting administrative functions for research and development programs. The SBIR/STTR programs are vital for fostering innovation and commercialization of new technologies. Comparable spending in this area often involves significant investment in program management and administrative overhead to ensure efficient allocation of research funds. The market for such services is competitive, but sole-source awards bypass this dynamic.
Small Business Impact
While Grey Street Consulting, LLC is a small business, this specific contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. The fact that it is a small business receiving a sole-source award suggests a potential existing relationship or a specific capability that led to this designation. It does not directly imply subcontracting opportunities for other small businesses unless specified in the contract terms, which are not detailed here.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the SBIR/STTR office. Accountability measures would be defined by the contract's performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with less public visibility compared to competed contracts. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any issues of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.
Related Government Programs
- Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
- Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program
- Department of Energy Administrative Services
- Federal R&D Program Support Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive transparency.
- Potential for cost inefficiencies due to lack of competition.
- Performance metrics not publicly detailed, hindering objective assessment.
- Long contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Tags
doe, sbir, sttr, administrative-services, sole-source, small-business, firm-fixed-price, maryland, r&d-support, professional-services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $3.9 million to GREY STREET CONSULTING, LLC. SBIR/STTR SUPPORT SERVICES TO THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY (DOE), SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) AND SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER (STTR) PROGRAMS OFFICE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is GREY STREET 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 $3.9 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-07-15. End: 2026-07-14.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis to Grey Street Consulting, LLC?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION,' which is synonymous with a sole-source award. The specific justification would typically be documented by the agency in a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) or similar document. Common reasons include unique capabilities, urgent needs, or a lack of other responsible sources. Without access to DOE's internal documentation, the precise reason remains unknown. This lack of transparency is a key concern for assessing the value and fairness of the procurement process.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar administrative support contracts for R&D programs within the federal government?
The annual cost for this contract is approximately $776,000 ($3.8M / 5 years). Benchmarking this against similar contracts is challenging without more specific data on the scope of services, contractor size, and agency. However, administrative support for federal programs can vary widely. Contracts for program management offices or large-scale R&D initiatives might incur higher administrative costs. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to analyze contracts with similar NAICS codes (like 561110 - Office Administrative Services) awarded by agencies like DOE, NSF, or DOD for their innovation programs, looking at cost per full-time equivalent or cost as a percentage of program funding.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) associated with this contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or service level agreements (SLAs) for this contract. Typically, administrative support contracts would include metrics related to response times, accuracy of support, efficiency in processing requests, and overall client satisfaction from the SBIR/STTR programs office. The absence of this information in the summary data makes it difficult to objectively assess the contractor's performance and the overall effectiveness of the services provided. These details would normally be found within the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).
What is Grey Street Consulting, LLC's track record with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of Energy?
The data indicates Grey Street Consulting, LLC is the sole contractor for this specific award. Further investigation into federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) would be required to ascertain their complete contract history. This would reveal if they have a history of performing similar administrative support services, their past performance ratings on other contracts, and their overall experience with the Department of Energy or other federal agencies. A positive track record would lend more confidence to this sole-source award, while a limited or negative one would increase concerns.
What is the historical spending trend for administrative support services for DOE's SBIR/STTR programs?
The provided data only includes information for this specific $3.8 million contract awarded in July 2021. To understand the historical spending trend, one would need to analyze prior contracts awarded by the DOE for administrative support to the SBIR/STTR programs office. This would involve searching historical procurement data for similar services over several fiscal years. Analyzing this trend would reveal whether spending has been consistent, increasing, or decreasing, and whether this current contract represents a continuation or a significant shift in resource allocation for administrative functions.
Are there any specific risks associated with relying on a single small business for critical administrative functions of major federal programs?
Yes, there are inherent risks. Relying on a single small business, even if capable, can create vulnerabilities. If the contractor experiences financial difficulties, management turnover, or faces unforeseen operational challenges, it could significantly disrupt the essential administrative functions of the SBIR/STTR programs. This could lead to delays in processing applications, disbursing funds, or providing necessary support to researchers. Furthermore, the lack of competition means there's less pressure on the contractor to continually innovate or improve efficiency, potentially leading to stagnation over the contract's duration.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Office Administrative Services › Office Administrative Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 7605 RUSTLE RIDGE CT, FAIRFAX STATION, VA, 22039
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $4,049,016
Exercised Options: $4,049,016
Current Obligation: $3,881,905
Actual Outlays: $3,554,050
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-07-15
Current End Date: 2026-07-14
Potential End Date: 2026-07-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-13
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