DOE's $6M Weatherization Assistance Program Services Contract Awarded via Full and Open Competition

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $6,082,514 ($6.1M)

Contractor: Cynthia B Simonson

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2021-12-23

End Date: 2026-12-23

Contract Duration: 1,826 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP) TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT AND FACILITATION SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ROCKVILLE, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20850

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $6.1 million to CYNTHIA B SIMONSON for work described as: WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP) TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT AND FACILITATION SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to CYNTHIA R SIMONSON for $6.08M. 2. Services fall under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. Contract duration is 5 years, ending December 2026. 5. The contract type is Time and Materials.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $6.08M over 5 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, assessing value for money is difficult. Benchmarking against similar consulting services for federal programs would be necessary for a more precise evaluation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a broad solicitation of potential offerors. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value. The specific pricing structure (Time and Materials) requires careful monitoring to control costs.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for consulting services to support the Weatherization Assistance Program. The use of full and open competition aims to ensure efficient use of these funds.

Public Impact

Supports the Weatherization Assistance Program, which aims to reduce energy costs for low-income households. Technical assessment and facilitation services are crucial for program effectiveness and efficiency. The contract duration allows for sustained support and potential long-term impact on program delivery.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Time and Materials contract type can lead to cost overruns if not closely managed.
  • Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment challenging.
  • Limited information on the specific technical services provided.

Positive Signals

  • Awarded through full and open competition, promoting fairness and potential cost savings.
  • Long contract duration (5 years) provides stability for program support.
  • Supports a vital program for low-income households.

Sector Analysis

The Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541611) is a common area for federal contracting. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on agency needs, but consulting services are often used for program management, efficiency improvements, and technical assistance.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved as subcontractors or prime contractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation in this contract.

Oversight & Accountability

The Department of Energy is the contracting and awarding agency, suggesting internal oversight. However, the effectiveness of this oversight, particularly for a Time and Materials contract, depends on robust monitoring of hours and rates to ensure cost control and value.

Related Government Programs

  • Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
  • Department of Energy Contracting
  • Department of Energy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Potential for cost overruns due to Time and Materials contract type.
  • Lack of specific performance metrics makes value assessment difficult.
  • Limited transparency on the specific services rendered and their impact.
  • The contractor's past performance and experience are not detailed in the provided data.

Tags

administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-energy, md, delivery-order, 1m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $6.1 million to CYNTHIA B SIMONSON. WEATHERIZATION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (WAP) TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT AND FACILITATION SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CYNTHIA B SIMONSON.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $6.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-12-23. End: 2026-12-23.

What specific technical assessment and facilitation activities are included in this contract, and how do they directly contribute to the WAP's goals?

The contract likely involves evaluating the technical aspects of weatherization projects, ensuring compliance with standards, and facilitating the smooth implementation of WAP initiatives. This could include site assessments, quality control checks, and guidance to program administrators or contractors. The direct contribution to WAP's goals would be improved program efficiency, better quality of weatherization work, and ultimately, greater energy savings for low-income households.

Given the Time and Materials contract type, what mechanisms are in place to prevent cost overruns and ensure the government receives fair value?

Effective oversight is critical. This includes rigorous monitoring of labor hours, rates, and direct costs incurred by the contractor. Establishing clear ceiling prices, requiring detailed invoicing, and conducting regular performance reviews are essential. The government should also have the ability to task order and manage the scope of work closely to prevent scope creep and ensure that only necessary and efficient work is performed.

How does the selection of CYNTHIA R SIMONSON through full and open competition demonstrate effective price discovery and contractor selection for these specialized services?

Full and open competition implies that multiple qualified firms were invited to bid, allowing the Department of Energy to compare proposals based on technical merit and price. This process should lead to competitive pricing as firms vie for the contract. The selection of CYNTHIA R SIMONSON suggests their proposal offered the best value, whether through the lowest price, superior technical approach, or a combination thereof, indicating a potentially effective price discovery mechanism.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesManagement, Scientific, and Technical Consulting ServicesAdministrative 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: 89243421QEE000068

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5 EQUESTRIAN CT, DERWOOD, MD, 20855

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $6,966,657

Exercised Options: $6,966,657

Current Obligation: $6,082,514

Actual Outlays: $5,500,224

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $68,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0065U

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline

Start Date: 2021-12-23

Current End Date: 2026-12-23

Potential End Date: 2026-12-23 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-02-09

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