Department of Energy awards $3.1M task order for remediation services to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $3,095,390 ($3.1M)
Contractor: Catawba-Tea, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2023-03-09
End Date: 2025-10-22
Contract Duration: 958 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.2K/day
Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 10- ATLAS
Place of Performance
Location: ROCK HILL, YORK County, SOUTH CAROLINA, 29730
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $3.1 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC for work described as: EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 10- ATLAS Key points: 1. The contract value represents a significant investment in environmental remediation. 2. Competition dynamics for this specific task order are limited, potentially impacting price. 3. The duration of the contract suggests a complex and ongoing remediation effort. 4. Performance context is crucial to understand the effectiveness of these remediation services. 5. This contract positions CATAWBA-TEA, LLC as a key player in DOE's remediation efforts in South Carolina.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
Benchmarking the value of this specific task order is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparisons to similar remediation projects. The contract is a delivery order under a larger IDIQ, making direct price comparisons difficult. However, the total value of $3.1 million over its period of performance warrants scrutiny to ensure cost-effectiveness for the taxpayer.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This task order was awarded under a 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (NAF) designation, indicating a sole-source procurement. This means that only one contractor, CATAWBA-TEA, LLC, was solicited. While NAF awards can be justified for specific circumstances, they limit the potential for competitive bidding and price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards mean taxpayers do not benefit from competitive pricing that could arise from multiple bidders vying for the contract. This can lead to higher costs than if the contract had been competed.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Energy and potentially the environment in South Carolina, through the remediation of contaminated sites. The services delivered involve remediation activities, likely focused on environmental cleanup and restoration. The geographic impact is concentrated in South Carolina, where the remediation work will take place. Workforce implications may include the creation of jobs for skilled labor in environmental remediation within the region.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Lack of transparency in the sole-source justification requires further review.
- The specific nature of the remediation services and associated risks are not detailed.
Positive Signals
- The award to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC suggests they possess specialized capabilities for these remediation tasks.
- The contract duration indicates a commitment to addressing long-term environmental challenges.
- The Department of Energy's selection implies confidence in the contractor's ability to perform.
Sector Analysis
The environmental remediation sector is a critical component of government contracting, particularly for agencies like the Department of Energy tasked with managing legacy contamination. This contract falls within the broader environmental services industry, which includes a range of activities from site assessment to cleanup and waste management. The market is often characterized by specialized firms capable of handling complex environmental challenges, with government contracts forming a significant portion of demand.
Small Business Impact
This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside designation (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct implications for small business set-asides. However, the prime contractor, CATAWBA-TEA, LLC, may engage small businesses as subcontractors, which would be a positive signal for the small business ecosystem. Further analysis of subcontracting plans would be needed to assess this impact.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Energy's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance work statement and delivery schedules. Transparency is limited by the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details and performance reports should be accessible through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Remediation Services
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Site Cleanup Contracts
- Department of Energy Contracts
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award limits competitive pricing.
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive pressure.
- Performance risks associated with specialized remediation services.
- Transparency concerns due to limited competition.
Tags
department-of-energy, remediation-services, south-carolina, sole-source, delivery-order, environmental-services, federal-contract, labor-hours, medium-value, contract-naics-562910
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $3.1 million to CATAWBA-TEA, LLC. EM/HQ/BRIDGE CTSS- TASK ORDER 10- ATLAS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CATAWBA-TEA, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $3.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-03-09. End: 2025-10-22.
What is the track record of CATAWBA-TEA, LLC in performing similar environmental remediation services for the federal government?
Assessing the track record of CATAWBA-TEA, LLC requires a review of their past performance on federal contracts, particularly those involving environmental remediation. Information on contract databases like SAM.gov or FPDS can provide details on previous awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. A strong history of successful project completion, adherence to timelines, and positive client feedback would indicate a reliable contractor. Conversely, a history of performance deficiencies, disputes, or contract terminations would raise concerns about their capability to execute this current task order effectively. Without specific past performance data readily available for this analysis, it is assumed the DOE conducted due diligence prior to this sole-source award.
How does the pricing structure of this task order compare to industry benchmarks for similar remediation services?
Directly comparing the pricing structure of this $3.1 million task order to industry benchmarks is challenging without detailed cost breakdowns and specific service scopes. As a sole-source award, there's no competitive pricing data to leverage. However, the Department of Energy would typically have internal mechanisms to review cost proposals against estimated costs or historical data for similar services. Factors such as labor rates, material costs, equipment usage, and overhead are critical. If CATAWBA-TEA, LLC's proposed rates are significantly higher than established benchmarks for comparable remediation projects in South Carolina or nationally, it could indicate a lack of cost-effectiveness. Further investigation into the contract's cost-plus or fixed-price elements and the justification for the negotiated rate would be necessary for a definitive assessment.
What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source remediation contract, and how are they being mitigated?
The primary risk associated with this sole-source remediation contract is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competition. Without multiple bidders, there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the most competitive pricing. Another risk is contractor performance; if CATAWBA-TEA, LLC lacks the necessary expertise or resources, the remediation efforts could be delayed or ineffective, leading to increased costs and environmental consequences. Mitigation strategies would typically involve robust oversight by the Department of Energy, including detailed performance monitoring, regular progress reviews, and strict adherence to the contract's technical requirements and milestones. The DOE likely conducted a thorough technical evaluation and negotiation process to ensure the proposed price was fair and reasonable, despite the sole-source nature.
What is the historical spending pattern of the Department of Energy on environmental remediation services in South Carolina?
Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the Department of Energy (DOE) on environmental remediation services in South Carolina provides crucial context for this $3.1 million task order. The DOE has a significant presence in South Carolina, particularly with facilities like the Savannah River Site, which has a long history of environmental cleanup activities. Historical data would reveal the typical scale and frequency of remediation contracts awarded in the state, the types of services most commonly procured, and the average contract values. Understanding this pattern can help determine if the current award is consistent with past investments or represents a significant deviation. It can also highlight trends in remediation needs and the DOE's commitment to addressing environmental liabilities in the region over time.
How does the 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (NAF) designation for this contract align with federal procurement regulations and justifications?
The 'NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION' (NAF) designation, often referred to as sole-source procurement, is governed by strict federal acquisition regulations (FAR). For a contract to be awarded on a sole-source basis, the contracting agency must demonstrate that only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs. This typically requires a justification and approval (J&A) process, which must be publicly documented. Reasons for NAF awards can include unique capabilities, urgent and compelling needs, or specific follow-on work where only the original contractor can perform. The Department of Energy's decision to award this task order as NAF implies they have completed this rigorous justification process. The validity of this designation hinges on the thoroughness and accuracy of the agency's justification, ensuring that competition was genuinely not feasible or would be detrimental to the government's interests.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 996 AVENUE OF THE NATIONS, ROCK HILL, SC, 29730
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Native American Tribal Government, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,095,390
Exercised Options: $3,095,390
Current Obligation: $3,095,390
Actual Outlays: $3,095,390
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Cost or Pricing Data: YES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 89303323DEM000087
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-03-09
Current End Date: 2025-10-22
Potential End Date: 2026-02-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-19
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