Rural Electric Supply Cooperative awarded $1.5M for wiring devices, with 13 bids received
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $149,830 ($149.8K)
Contractor: Rural Electric Supply Cooperative
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 2025-09-02
End Date: 2025-12-15
Contract Duration: 104 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: LINE HARDWARE
Place of Performance
Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53744
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $149,830 to RURAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COOPERATIVE for work described as: LINE HARDWARE Key points: 1. The contract value of $1.5M appears reasonable given the scope of wiring devices. 2. Strong competition with 13 bidders suggests a healthy market for these goods. 3. The firm-fixed-price structure mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. This purchase order supports essential electrical infrastructure maintenance and upgrades. 5. The contract falls within the manufacturing sector for electrical components. 6. Performance is expected within a 104-day period, indicating a focused delivery timeline.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $1.5M for wiring devices seems aligned with market rates for similar procurements. While specific per-unit cost data is not provided, the number of bids suggests competitive pricing was likely achieved. The firm-fixed-price nature of the award helps control costs, making it a potentially good value for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a threshold for smaller procurements. The receipt of 13 bids demonstrates robust competition, suggesting that multiple suppliers were aware of and capable of fulfilling the requirement. This level of competition is generally favorable for price discovery and achieving competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: A high number of bidders for this procurement suggests that taxpayers are likely benefiting from competitive pricing, as suppliers vied to win the contract by offering their best terms.
Public Impact
The Department of Energy benefits from the acquisition of essential electrical components. Rural electric cooperatives in Wisconsin will likely receive improved infrastructure reliability. The procurement supports the manufacturing sector for electrical wiring devices. Workforce implications are minimal, primarily related to manufacturing and distribution of the goods.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for supply chain disruptions impacting delivery timelines.
- Quality control of manufactured wiring devices needs to be ensured.
- Dependence on a single supplier for specific components could pose a risk.
Positive Signals
- Strong competition indicates a healthy supplier base.
- Firm-fixed-price contract limits cost escalation.
- Clear delivery timeline specified for the goods.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Noncurrent-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing industry, a segment of the broader electrical equipment manufacturing sector. This sector is crucial for maintaining and upgrading electrical infrastructure, supporting both residential and industrial needs. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing other government procurements for similar electrical components, considering volume and specifications.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The award to Rural Electric Supply Cooperative, which may or may not be classified as a small business, means the direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem is not immediately clear without further details on the contractor's size and subcontracting practices.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this purchase order will likely be managed by the Department of Energy's contracting officers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract terms and the specified delivery schedule. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, though detailed performance monitoring data may not be publicly available.
Related Government Programs
- Electrical Grid Modernization Programs
- Rural Electrification Administration Programs
- Department of Energy Procurement Data
Risk Flags
- Potential for delivery delays due to short performance period.
- Quality assurance of manufactured goods needs verification.
- Contractor's past performance history is unknown.
Tags
line-hardware, wiring-devices, department-of-energy, rural-electric-supply-cooperative, purchase-order, competed-under-sap, firm-fixed-price, wisconsin, manufacturing, electrical-components, simplified-acquisition
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $149,830 to RURAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COOPERATIVE. LINE HARDWARE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RURAL ELECTRIC SUPPLY COOPERATIVE.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $149,830.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-02. End: 2025-12-15.
What is the specific type and quantity of wiring devices being procured under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract is for 'LINE HARDWARE' and specifically falls under the 'Noncurrent-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing' national industry classification. However, the exact type (e.g., receptacles, switches, connectors) and precise quantity of wiring devices are not detailed in the summary data. This level of specificity is typically found in the contract's statement of work or line item details, which are not included here. Understanding the specific items is crucial for a more granular value assessment and comparison to market prices.
How does the awarded price per unit compare to industry benchmarks for similar wiring devices?
Without the specific quantity and detailed specifications of the wiring devices, a precise per-unit cost comparison to industry benchmarks is not feasible. The total award is $1,498,300. If we assume, for illustrative purposes, that 100,000 units were procured, the average cost per unit would be approximately $15. However, the actual unit cost could vary significantly based on the complexity, durability, and specific application of the devices. A thorough benchmark would require comparing the price of identical or highly similar items from other government contracts or commercial price lists, factoring in volume discounts and quality standards.
What is the track record of Rural Electric Supply Cooperative in fulfilling government contracts, particularly for electrical supplies?
The provided data does not include information on the contractor's past performance or track record with government contracts. To assess this, one would typically review the Federal Awardee Performance and Integrity Information System (FAPIIS) or similar databases for past performance reviews, contract modifications, disputes, or terminations. A history of successful and timely contract completion would indicate lower risk, while a pattern of issues might raise concerns about the contractor's reliability and the potential for performance problems on this new award.
What are the potential risks associated with the short performance period of approximately 3.5 months?
The contract duration is 104 days, from September 2, 2025, to December 15, 2025. A short performance period for the delivery of manufactured goods like wiring devices can introduce risks related to production capacity, supply chain lead times, and quality control. If the manufacturer faces unexpected delays in raw material sourcing or production, meeting the deadline could become challenging. This compressed timeline might also limit the contractor's ability to ramp up production efficiently, potentially leading to rushed work and increased risk of defects. However, it also implies a focused effort and potentially faster delivery of needed supplies.
How does the $1.5M award compare to historical spending on similar 'LINE HARDWARE' or wiring devices by the Department of Energy?
To compare this $1.5M award to historical spending, one would need to analyze the Department of Energy's procurement history for similar items, specifically 'LINE HARDWARE' or wiring devices, over previous fiscal years. This analysis would involve querying federal procurement databases (like USASpending.gov or FPDS) for contracts with similar product service codes (PSCs) or keywords, filtering by the agency (DOE) and the nature of the goods. Understanding the volume, frequency, and average award values of past procurements would establish a baseline. If this $1.5M award is significantly higher or lower than typical awards for comparable quantities and types of goods, it could indicate either a potential overpayment or a particularly advantageous deal.
What is the significance of the contract being 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures)?
Competing a contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) signifies that the procurement value falls below the statutory threshold for full and open competition (currently $250,000, though specific agency rules may apply). SAP is designed to streamline the acquisition process for smaller purchases, making it faster and less burdensome. This often involves using methods like GSA Advantage!, electronic RFQs, or other simplified methods. While it allows for more efficient procurement, it may sometimes result in less extensive market research or fewer formal proposals compared to larger, full-and-open competitions. However, the fact that 13 bids were received indicates that even within SAP, robust competition was achieved for this requirement.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing › Noncurrent-Carrying Wiring Device Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: ELECTRICAL/ELECTRONIC EQPT COMPNTS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 89503225QWA000669
Offers Received: 13
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2250 PINEHURST DR, MIDDLETON, WI, 53562
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $149,830
Exercised Options: $149,830
Current Obligation: $149,830
Actual Outlays: $149,830
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-02
Current End Date: 2025-12-15
Potential End Date: 2025-12-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
Other Department of Energy Contracts
- Federal Contract — $48.1B (Lockheed Martin Corp)
- ,Ct::igf Contract Award De-Na0003525 to the National Technology&engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC (ntess) for the Management and Operation of the Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration's Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) — $41.7B (National Technology & Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC)
- Management and Operation of the OAK Ridge National Laboratory — $40.8B (Ut-Battelle LLC)
- TAS::89 0240::TAS This Performance-Based Management Contract (pbmc) IS for the Management and Operation of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (llnl). the Contractor Shall, in Accordance With the Provisions of This Contract, Accomplish the Missions and Programs Assigned by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Manage and Operate the Laboratory. the Laboratory IS ONE of Does Office of Defense Program Multi-Program Laboratories. the Laboratory IS a Federally Funded Research and Development Institution (established in Accordance With the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 35 and Operated Under This Management and Operating (M&O) Contract, AS Defined in FAR 17.6 and Dear 917.6 — $40.8B (Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC)
- M&O of Lanl BR of U of CA — $35.3B (Regents of the University of California, the)