DOE awards $4.78M BPA Call to Independent Strategic Management Solutions for Nuclear Safety Support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,778,856 ($4.8M)

Contractor: Independent Strategic Management Solutions Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2024-01-18

End Date: 2027-01-31

Contract Duration: 1,109 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: THIS BPA CALL WILL BE PLACED AGAINST BPA 89303923AEM000019 WITH INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY SUPPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK.

Place of Performance

Location: RICHLAND, BENTON County, WASHINGTON, 99354

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $4.8 million to INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC for work described as: THIS BPA CALL WILL BE PLACED AGAINST BPA 89303923AEM000019 WITH INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY SUPPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK. Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized nuclear safety support, indicating a critical need within the Department of Energy. 2. The award utilizes an existing Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA), suggesting a streamlined procurement process. 3. The contract duration of approximately three years allows for sustained support in a complex regulatory environment. 4. The Time and Materials (T&M) contract type may present cost control challenges if not closely monitored. 5. The relatively small award amount suggests this may be a specific task order under a larger BPA. 6. Nuclear safety is a high-stakes area requiring specialized expertise, making contractor selection crucial.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award amount of $4.78 million for a three-year BPA Call appears reasonable for specialized nuclear safety support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental consulting or specialized technical support within the Department of Energy would provide further context. The Time and Materials pricing structure necessitates careful oversight to ensure value for money, as direct cost comparisons are difficult without detailed labor rates and material costs. However, the use of an existing BPA suggests that some level of pre-negotiation and vetting of the contractor's capabilities and pricing has already occurred.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This BPA Call was awarded under a full and open competition BPA (89303923AEM000019). This indicates that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid on the underlying BPA, and subsequently, this call order likely followed a competitive process among eligible BPA holders. The specific number of bidders for this particular call order is not provided, but the initial full and open competition for the BPA suggests a robust market engagement.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition for the underlying BPA generally leads to better price discovery and potentially more competitive pricing for taxpayers. It ensures that the government explores a wide range of qualified vendors, fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and improve service quality.

Public Impact

The Department of Energy benefits from specialized expertise in nuclear safety, crucial for regulatory compliance and operational integrity. The services delivered will support the safe management and oversight of nuclear-related activities. The geographic impact is likely concentrated around Department of Energy facilities where nuclear operations are managed. The contract supports a specialized workforce with expertise in nuclear safety and environmental consulting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently, requiring close monitoring of labor hours and material expenses.
The specialized nature of nuclear safety support means that any disruption in service or contractor performance could have significant implications.
Reliance on a single BPA call order for critical nuclear safety functions warrants robust performance management and contingency planning.

Positive Signals

Awarding against an existing BPA streamlines procurement, indicating efficiency in the acquisition process.
The contractor, Independent Strategic Management Solutions, Inc., has secured a contract in a highly specialized and regulated field, suggesting established capabilities.
The contract duration of over three years allows for continuity of essential nuclear safety support services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector (NAICS 541620), specifically addressing nuclear safety support. The broader environmental consulting market is substantial, encompassing a wide range of services from site remediation to regulatory compliance. Contracts for nuclear safety are a niche within this sector, characterized by stringent requirements, high barriers to entry due to specialized knowledge and security clearances, and significant government oversight. Comparable spending benchmarks would focus on other federal contracts providing technical and safety consulting for high-risk industries.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a primary set-aside consideration for this specific BPA Call. The contract was awarded under a full and open competition BPA, which does not inherently exclude small businesses from bidding but does not prioritize them through set-asides. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would depend on the prime contractor's strategy and the nature of the work required, but there is no explicit indication of a small business focus in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this BPA Call will likely be managed by the Department of Energy contracting officers and program managers responsible for nuclear safety. As it is a BPA Call, the underlying BPA itself would have undergone a vetting process. The Time and Materials (T&M) nature of the contract necessitates rigorous oversight of hours, expenses, and deliverables to ensure cost control and performance. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, but specific performance metrics and detailed cost breakdowns may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Energy Nuclear Safety Programs
Environmental Consulting Services
Technical Support Services
Nuclear Regulatory Commission Oversight
Department of Energy Blanket Purchase Agreements

Risk Flags

Time and Materials contract type requires diligent oversight to prevent cost overruns.
Specialized nature of nuclear safety support necessitates high contractor performance standards.
Reliance on a single BPA call for critical functions requires contingency planning.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $4.8 million to INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC. THIS BPA CALL WILL BE PLACED AGAINST BPA 89303923AEM000019 WITH INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS, INC. FOR NUCLEAR SAFETY SUPPORT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATEMENT OF WORK.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is INDEPENDENT STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $4.8 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-01-18. End: 2027-01-31.

What is the track record of Independent Strategic Management Solutions, Inc. in providing nuclear safety support to federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of Independent Strategic Management Solutions, Inc. in providing nuclear safety support is not detailed in the provided data. However, securing this BPA Call from the Department of Energy suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to operate in this highly specialized and regulated field. Further investigation into their past performance on similar contracts, client references, and any past performance reviews would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment. Federal procurement databases and agency performance records could offer more granular insights into their history with nuclear safety or related technical consulting services.

How does the value of this BPA Call compare to other nuclear safety support contracts awarded by the Department of Energy?

The award value of $4.78 million for this BPA Call is moderate for specialized federal support services. To benchmark effectively, one would need to compare it against similar contracts for nuclear safety consulting, technical oversight, or regulatory compliance support awarded by the DOE or other agencies like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). Factors such as contract duration, scope of work (e.g., specific facilities, types of safety analysis), and the level of expertise required would influence comparability. Without access to a broader dataset of comparable contracts, it's challenging to definitively state if this represents a high, low, or average value. However, the use of an existing BPA suggests a potentially more efficient pricing structure than a standalone new contract.

What are the primary risks associated with this Time and Materials (T&M) contract type for nuclear safety support?

The primary risk with a Time and Materials (T&M) contract, especially for a critical service like nuclear safety support, is the potential for cost overruns. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M agreements reimburse the contractor for direct labor hours and material costs incurred. If not meticulously managed and monitored, this can lead to costs exceeding initial estimates. For nuclear safety, this necessitates stringent oversight of work hours, validation of labor categories, and careful review of any material purchases. Scope creep can also be a significant risk, as additional tasks or extended timelines can directly increase costs without a pre-defined ceiling, requiring robust change management processes.

How effective are BPA Calls in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized services like nuclear safety support?

Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Calls can be effective in ensuring competitive pricing for specialized services, provided the underlying BPA was established through robust full and open competition. The initial competition for the BPA itself allows multiple vendors to compete, establishing a baseline of capabilities and pricing. Subsequent calls against the BPA can then be competed among the BPA holders, fostering continued price discovery. However, the level of competition for individual calls can vary. If only a few vendors hold the BPA, or if the call is narrowly scoped, competition might be limited. For nuclear safety support, the specialized nature of the work may inherently limit the number of qualified bidders, even within a competitive BPA structure.

What are the implications of this contract award for the Department of Energy's overall spending on nuclear safety oversight?

This $4.78 million BPA Call represents a specific allocation of funds towards nuclear safety support, likely addressing a particular need or task order within the Department of Energy's broader nuclear safety program. It indicates ongoing investment in maintaining safety standards and regulatory compliance. Analyzing this single award in isolation provides limited insight into overall spending trends. A comprehensive assessment would require examining historical spending patterns for nuclear safety support, the total value and number of active BPAs and contracts in this domain, and the agency's strategic priorities. This award suggests a continued reliance on external expertise for critical safety functions.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: FY24-SB03

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1950 KEENE RD, RICHLAND, WA, 99352

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Asian Pacific American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,301,902

Exercised Options: $5,301,902

Current Obligation: $4,778,856

Actual Outlays: $2,782,757

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 89303923AEM000019

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline