DOE's $2.56M training support contract awarded to PM Connections LLC, lacking competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,560,890 ($2.6M)
Contractor: PM Connections LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-03-20
End Date: 2026-09-19
Contract Duration: 1,279 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.0K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TRAINING SUPPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, GOLDEN FIELD OFFICE, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS OFFICE
Place of Performance
Location: GOLDEN, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80401
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $2.6 million to PM CONNECTIONS LLC for work described as: LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TRAINING SUPPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, GOLDEN FIELD OFFICE, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS OFFICE Key points: 1. Contract awarded without competition, raising concerns about potential overpayment and limited value. 2. Sole-source award limits opportunities for market-driven pricing and innovation. 3. The contract duration of nearly four years suggests a long-term need for these services. 4. Focus on knowledge management and systems office indicates critical internal support functions. 5. Awarded under Other Than Full and Open Competition, suggesting specific justifications were likely required. 6. The contract type is labor hours, which can be less predictable in cost than fixed-price.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
Without competitive bids, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The $2.56 million price tag over nearly four years for training support services needs careful scrutiny. Comparing this to similar training and knowledge management support contracts across government agencies, especially those competed openly, would be essential to determine if the pricing is fair. The labor hour contract type also introduces cost uncertainty, as actual hours worked will determine the final expenditure.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was awarded under 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which typically implies a sole-source or limited competition scenario, likely justified by specific circumstances. The absence of a competitive process means there were no multiple bidders vying for the contract. This lack of competition limits the government's ability to leverage market forces to secure the best possible price and service.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best value due to the absence of competitive pressure, potentially leading to higher costs than if multiple vendors had bid.
Public Impact
Department of Energy employees, particularly within the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) office, will benefit from enhanced training and knowledge management. Services delivered include learning and development support, crucial for maintaining a skilled and informed workforce. The geographic impact is centered around the Golden Field Office in Colorado, supporting its specific operational needs. Workforce implications include the potential for improved employee skills and efficiency through targeted training programs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition may lead to inflated pricing.
- Sole-source awards can reduce transparency and accountability.
- Labor hour contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed closely.
- Limited visibility into alternative solutions or innovative approaches from the market.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a specific need for training and knowledge management within a critical DOE office.
- Contract duration suggests a stable, long-term requirement for these services.
- PM Connections LLC is the awardee, implying they have been identified as capable of meeting the need.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on training and knowledge management. The IT and administrative support aspects are common across many government agencies. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely, but consistent investment in employee development and knowledge systems is a hallmark of effective agency operations. The market for such services is competitive, making the sole-source award notable.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a stated requirement or outcome for this award (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source award, there were no subcontracting opportunities generated through a competitive bidding process. This means the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal, as the prime contract is not set aside for small businesses, nor is there an explicit requirement for subcontracting to them.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) office. Accountability measures would be defined in the contract's terms and conditions, focusing on performance deliverables and adherence to labor hour reporting. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, with public visibility primarily through contract databases rather than a competitive justification document.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Training Programs
- Federal Knowledge Management Systems
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Initiatives
- IT and Administrative Support Services
- Government Employee Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of Competition
- Sole-Source Award
- Labor Hour Contract Type
Tags
training-support, department-of-energy, energy-efficiency-and-renewable-energy, golden-field-office, knowledge-management, systems-support, computer-systems-design-services, not-competed-under-sap, sole-source, labor-hours, pm-connections-llc, colorado
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $2.6 million to PM CONNECTIONS LLC. LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT TRAINING SUPPORT FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND RENEWABLE ENERGY, GOLDEN FIELD OFFICE, KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND SYSTEMS OFFICE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PM CONNECTIONS LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.6 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-20. End: 2026-09-19.
What is the specific justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' suggesting it was likely awarded under specific exceptions to full and open competition, such as a brand name justification, a critical need, or a lack of qualified sources. Without access to the justification documentation, the precise reason remains unknown. However, such awards typically require a detailed rationale demonstrating why competition was not feasible or practical, often involving unique capabilities of the sole provider or urgent requirements that preclude a lengthy solicitation process. The Department of Energy would have internal procedures and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clauses to follow for sole-source procurements.
How does the pricing structure (labor hours) compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?
Labor hour contracts, like this one, offer flexibility by paying for the actual time spent by contractor personnel. This can be advantageous when the scope of work is not well-defined or is expected to change. However, it introduces cost uncertainty for the government, as the total cost depends on the number of hours worked. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, establish a set price for a defined scope of work, providing cost certainty but offering less flexibility. For training and knowledge management support, a fixed-price contract might be suitable if the training modules and knowledge management system requirements are clearly defined upfront. The labor hour approach here suggests a potentially evolving or less precisely scoped need, but it also carries a higher risk of cost overruns if not diligently managed and monitored by the agency.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to measure the success of this training support contract?
The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract. Typically, for learning and development training support, KPIs might include metrics such as training completion rates, post-training assessment scores, employee performance improvements linked to training, user satisfaction surveys, and the effectiveness of knowledge management system utilization. For knowledge management and systems support, KPIs could involve system uptime, data accessibility, knowledge base growth, and user adoption rates. The Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers would establish these KPIs in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS) to ensure PM Connections LLC meets the required service levels and delivers tangible value.
What is the historical spending pattern for learning and development training support at the DOE's Golden Field Office?
The provided data only includes details for this specific contract awarded in March 2023. Historical spending patterns for learning and development training support at the DOE's Golden Field Office are not available within this dataset. To assess historical spending, one would need to analyze previous contract awards for similar services to this office or the broader EERE directorate over several fiscal years. This would involve searching federal procurement databases for prior contracts with terms related to training, knowledge management, and IT support, and then aggregating the awarded amounts to identify trends, fluctuations, and the typical scale of such investments.
What is the track record of PM Connections LLC in delivering similar government contracts?
The provided data identifies PM Connections LLC as the contractor for this specific learning and development training support contract. However, it does not offer details on their broader track record, past performance evaluations, or experience with similar government contracts. To assess their track record, one would need to consult additional sources such as the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS), past performance reviews included in contract files (if publicly accessible), or other government contract databases that track contractor history. A thorough review would examine their performance on previous contracts, including timeliness, quality of service, cost control, and adherence to contract terms.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Computer Systems Design 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: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14300 CORNERSTONE VILLAGE DR STE 126B, HOUSTON, TX, 77014
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,056,331
Exercised Options: $3,056,331
Current Obligation: $2,560,890
Actual Outlays: $2,204,934
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-20
Current End Date: 2026-09-19
Potential End Date: 2026-09-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-18
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