DOE awards $6.4M contract for clean coal and carbon management analytical support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,389,816 ($6.4M)
Contractor: Onlocation, Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2021-09-15
End Date: 2026-09-14
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.5K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF CLEAN COAL AND CARBON MANAGEMENT AND THE DOE OFFICE OF POLICY WITH ANALYTICAL SUPPORT, INCLUDING ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION (RD&D) GOALS, AND ANALYSIS TO INFORM SOUND POL
Place of Performance
Location: VIENNA, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22180
State: Virginia Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $6.4 million to ONLOCATION, INC for work described as: THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF CLEAN COAL AND CARBON MANAGEMENT AND THE DOE OFFICE OF POLICY WITH ANALYTICAL SUPPORT, INCLUDING ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION (RD&D) GOALS, AND ANALYSIS TO INFORM SOUND POL Key points: 1. Contract focuses on analytical support for research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) goals. 2. Analysis aims to inform sound policy decisions within the Office of Clean Coal and Carbon Management. 3. Contract duration of 5 years suggests a need for sustained analytical expertise. 4. The award falls under Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. 5. This contract supports the Department of Energy's broader policy and RD&D objectives.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.4 million over five years appears reasonable for specialized analytical support in a complex policy area. Benchmarking against similar contracts for management consulting services within the federal government, particularly those focused on energy policy and research, would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the scope of work, involving RD&D goals and policy formulation, suggests a need for expert analysis that justifies the investment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This competitive process is expected to yield a fair price and ensure the selection of a qualified contractor. The number of bidders, if available, would further clarify the intensity of the competition and its potential impact on pricing and innovation.
Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can lead to better pricing and higher quality services, ensuring federal funds are used efficiently.
Public Impact
The Office of Clean Coal and Carbon Management and the DOE Office of Policy are direct beneficiaries, receiving crucial analytical support. The services delivered will inform research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) initiatives in clean coal and carbon management. Policy decisions related to carbon management will be informed by the analysis provided. The contract supports the development of strategies to address carbon emissions from coal-based energy sources.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for scope creep if analytical needs evolve significantly beyond initial projections.
- Reliance on contractor expertise could create knowledge gaps within the agency if not managed effectively.
- Ensuring the objectivity and independence of the analytical support is crucial for sound policy.
Positive Signals
- Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust selection process.
- Long-term duration (5 years) indicates a strategic need and potential for building valuable institutional knowledge.
- Focus on RD&D and policy informs critical national energy and environmental goals.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the management consulting services sector, specifically supporting the energy industry's focus on clean coal and carbon management. The market for such specialized analytical services is driven by evolving environmental regulations, technological advancements in carbon capture, and national energy policy objectives. Comparable spending benchmarks would likely be found in contracts awarded to firms providing policy analysis, economic modeling, and technical consulting for government agencies focused on energy and environmental issues.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). While this contract was awarded under full and open competition, there is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether the prime contractor, ONLOCATION, INC, chooses to engage small businesses for specialized support or if the nature of the services inherently limits small business involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Energy contracting officers and program managers responsible for the Office of Clean Coal and Carbon Management and the Office of Policy. Standard federal procurement regulations and contract management practices would apply. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. The Inspector General of the Department of Energy would have jurisdiction for investigating fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy - Office of Clean Coal and Carbon Management
- Department of Energy - Office of Policy
- Federal Management and Consulting Services
- Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Initiatives
- Energy Research and Development Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for contractor lock-in due to long-term duration.
- Need for continuous monitoring of performance to ensure quality and value.
- Ensuring objectivity in policy-related analysis is paramount.
Tags
department-of-energy, administrative-management, general-management-consulting-services, clean-coal, carbon-management, research-development-demonstration, policy-analysis, full-and-open-competition, delivery-order, virginia, labor-hours, energy-sector
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $6.4 million to ONLOCATION, INC. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE THE OFFICE OF CLEAN COAL AND CARBON MANAGEMENT AND THE DOE OFFICE OF POLICY WITH ANALYTICAL SUPPORT, INCLUDING ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, AND DEMONSTRATION (RD&D) GOALS, AND ANALYSIS TO INFORM SOUND POL
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ONLOCATION, INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-09-15. End: 2026-09-14.
What is the track record of ONLOCATION, INC. in providing similar analytical support to federal agencies, particularly within the energy sector?
ONLOCATION, INC. has a history of providing management and consulting services to various federal agencies. While specific details on their experience with clean coal and carbon management analytical support require deeper investigation into their past performance reports and contract history, their award by the Department of Energy suggests they possess relevant capabilities. A thorough review would involve examining past contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), the types of analytical services they have delivered previously, and their success in meeting objectives on similar projects. Understanding their expertise in areas like economic analysis, policy research, and RD&D support within the energy domain is crucial for assessing their suitability for this specific contract.
How does the awarded amount of $6.4 million compare to similar federal contracts for analytical support in energy policy and RD&D?
The $6.4 million contract value over five years, averaging approximately $1.28 million annually, appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized federal consulting services. To provide a precise comparison, one would need to benchmark against contracts for similar services (e.g., policy analysis, RD&D support, management consulting) awarded by the Department of Energy or other agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency or the Department of the Interior. Factors such as contract duration, scope complexity, required expertise, and the number of bidders influence pricing. Without direct comparable contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but it does not appear to be an outlier based on the general market for federal consulting.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of ONLOCATION, INC. under this contract?
The specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract are not detailed in the provided data. However, typical metrics for such analytical support contracts would likely include the quality and timeliness of analytical reports, the clarity and actionability of policy recommendations, the accuracy of economic or technical modeling, and the successful support provided for RD&D milestones. The Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers would establish these KPIs in the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS). Regular progress reviews and performance evaluations would assess ONLOCATION, INC.'s adherence to these metrics, ensuring the contractor delivers the expected value and contributes effectively to the agency's goals.
What is the historical spending trend for analytical support related to clean coal and carbon management at the Department of Energy?
Historical spending data for analytical support specifically on clean coal and carbon management at the Department of Energy would provide valuable context for this $6.4 million award. Analyzing past budgets and contract awards in this area over the last 5-10 years would reveal trends in funding priorities, the types of services procured, and the typical contract values. Significant increases or decreases in spending could indicate shifts in policy focus, technological advancements, or regulatory changes. Understanding this historical context helps assess whether the current award is consistent with past investments or represents a new strategic direction for the agency in managing carbon emissions from coal.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single contractor, ONLOCATION, INC., for critical analytical support over a five-year period?
Relying on a single contractor, ONLOCATION, INC., for critical analytical support over five years presents several potential risks. These include a potential decline in service quality or innovation over time if competition is not maintained through performance management, contractor lock-in making it difficult to switch providers if performance issues arise, and the risk of key personnel turnover within the contractor's organization leading to loss of institutional knowledge. Furthermore, over-reliance could stifle internal agency expertise development. Mitigating these risks involves robust contract oversight, clear performance expectations, regular performance reviews, and potentially incorporating mechanisms for knowledge transfer to agency personnel.
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: KLS Government Services LLC
Address: 501 CHURCH ST NE, VIENNA, VA, 22180
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,389,816
Exercised Options: $6,389,816
Current Obligation: $6,389,816
Actual Outlays: $6,112,137
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0126U
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2021-09-15
Current End Date: 2026-09-14
Potential End Date: 2026-09-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-12
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