DOE awards $2.3M contract for strategic support to EERE's Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,320,387 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Professional Vets Consulting Group, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2022-12-30

End Date: 2025-07-06

Contract Duration: 919 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: STRATEGIC SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE) OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY (PDAS)

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20585

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $2.3 million to PROFESSIONAL VETS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC for work described as: STRATEGIC SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE) OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY (PDAS) Key points: 1. Contract provides essential administrative and management consulting services. 2. Sole-source award raises questions about competition and potential value. 3. Duration of over two years suggests a need for sustained support. 4. Fixed-price contract type aims to control costs for the government. 5. Focus on EERE indicates support for renewable energy and efficiency initiatives. 6. Geographic location in Washington D.C. aligns with federal agency operations.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.3 million over approximately two years for administrative management consulting services appears moderate for a federal agency. Without specific benchmarks for similar strategic support roles within the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), a direct value-for-money assessment is challenging. However, the fixed-price nature of the contract provides some cost certainty. The absence of competition, as a sole-source award, limits the ability to benchmark against market rates or identify potential cost savings through competitive bidding.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, PROFESSIONAL VETS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves soliciting proposals from multiple interested parties. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities, urgent needs), they generally lead to less price discovery and potentially higher costs compared to fully competed contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price, as competition is a key driver for cost reduction in government contracting.

Public Impact

The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) will benefit from enhanced strategic and administrative support. Services delivered include general management and administrative consulting, crucial for the efficient operation of a key energy policy office. The contract's impact is primarily concentrated within the federal government in Washington D.C. The contract supports federal workforce functions by providing specialized consulting services, potentially freeing up government personnel for core mission activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
  • Sole-source awards can reduce transparency in the procurement process.
  • Reliance on a single contractor for strategic support could pose continuity risks if not managed effectively.

Positive Signals

  • Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost overruns.
  • Contract duration of over two years indicates a stable, ongoing need for services.
  • Focus on EERE aligns with national priorities for renewable energy and efficiency.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically administrative management and general management consulting. This sector is vital for supporting government operations across various agencies. The market for these services is competitive, but specific niche support for federal offices, especially those focused on policy and strategic initiatives like EERE, can sometimes lead to less traditional procurement methods. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar strategic support roles within federal agencies are often difficult to ascertain due to the unique nature of each office's needs and the varying levels of competition.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business and does not appear to have a small business set-aside component. There is no explicit indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses within the provided data. Therefore, this specific award does not directly contribute to the small business contracting ecosystem or provide opportunities for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the EERE office. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract structure, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon price. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details should be publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

  • Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Operations
  • Department of Energy Strategic Planning
  • Federal Management Consulting Services
  • Administrative Support Contracts
  • Renewable Energy Policy Support

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award limits competition.
  • Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.
  • Requires strong oversight to ensure value and performance.

Tags

administrative-management-consulting, professional-services, sole-source, department-of-energy, eere, strategic-support, fixed-price, definitive-contract, washington-dc, federal-agency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $2.3 million to PROFESSIONAL VETS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC. STRATEGIC SUPPORT FOR THE OFFICE OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (EERE) OFFICE OF THE PRINCIPAL DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY (PDAS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PROFESSIONAL VETS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-12-30. End: 2025-07-06.

What is the track record of PROFESSIONAL VETS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC with the Department of Energy or similar agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of PROFESSIONAL VETS CONSULTING GROUP, LLC with the Department of Energy or similar agencies is not detailed in the provided data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, previous contract awards, and any reported issues or successes. Federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would typically contain historical contract data for this vendor, allowing for an analysis of their experience, performance quality, and reliability in delivering similar services. Without this historical context, it is difficult to definitively assess their suitability and past performance for this specific strategic support role.

How does the $2.3M contract value compare to similar strategic support contracts within the Department of Energy?

Direct comparison of the $2.3 million contract value for strategic support to EERE's PDAS with similar contracts within the Department of Energy (DOE) is challenging without specific data on comparable roles and contract scopes. Federal agencies often procure a wide range of support services, and the value can vary significantly based on the level of responsibility, duration, and specific expertise required. Given this is a sole-source award for administrative and management consulting, it suggests a potentially specialized need. A thorough benchmark would involve analyzing contracts for high-level administrative and strategic support within other DOE offices or similar federal entities, considering factors like the number of personnel supported, the complexity of the tasks, and the contract duration to determine if the pricing is competitive.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for strategic support?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for strategic support include a lack of price competition, which can lead to the government paying a premium compared to a fully competed contract. There is also a potential for reduced innovation and service quality, as the contractor may face less pressure to excel when there are no direct competitors vying for future work. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process, potentially limiting opportunities for other qualified vendors. Ensuring the justification for the sole-source award is robust and that the contractor's performance is rigorously monitored becomes even more critical to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected impact of this contract on the Department of Energy's renewable energy initiatives?

This contract is expected to have a positive impact on the Department of Energy's (DOE) renewable energy initiatives by providing crucial strategic and administrative support to the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and its Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS). By ensuring efficient operations and effective management within the PDAS office, the contractor can help streamline decision-making, improve resource allocation, and enhance the overall effectiveness of EERE's programs. This support can indirectly accelerate the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies and energy efficiency solutions, contributing to the DOE's broader mission goals in these critical areas.

What historical spending patterns exist for administrative management consulting services at the DOE?

Historical spending patterns for administrative management consulting services at the Department of Energy (DOE) are likely substantial, given the agency's complex operational needs and policy-driven mission. The DOE frequently engages contractors for a wide array of professional services, including management consulting, to support its various offices and programs, such as those focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy. Analyzing past contract awards for similar services (NAICS code 541611) would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and the types of firms typically engaged. This specific contract's value of $2.3 million appears to be within a moderate range for such support, but a broader analysis of historical spending would provide better context on typical investment levels for these services.

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: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3949 PENDER DRIVE SUITE 215, FAIRFAX, VA, 22030

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,320,387

Exercised Options: $2,320,387

Current Obligation: $2,320,387

Actual Outlays: $2,320,387

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline

Start Date: 2022-12-30

Current End Date: 2025-07-06

Potential End Date: 2025-07-06 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2026-01-08

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