Department of Energy awards $12.5M engineering services contract to Commodore Advanced Sciences Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $12,462,696 ($12.5M)
Contractor: Commodore Advanced Sciences Incorporated
Awarding Agency: Department of Energy
Start Date: 1999-10-15
End Date: 2001-03-31
Contract Duration: 533 days
Daily Burn Rate: $23.4K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE
Sector: Other
Place of Performance
Location: NEW MEXICO
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Energy obligated $12.5 million to COMMODORE ADVANCED SCIENCES INCORPORATED for work described as: Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 533 days indicates a medium-term engagement for engineering services. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight. 4. The award was made by the Department of Energy, indicating a focus on energy-related engineering needs. 5. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to specialized engineering services. 6. The contract was awarded in 1999, providing historical context for current spending patterns.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The total award amount of $12,462,695.98 for engineering services over approximately 18 months appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized federal contracts of this nature. However, without specific details on the scope of work, deliverables, and the contractor's performance history on this particular contract, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar engineering service contracts awarded by the Department of Energy during the late 1990s would provide a more robust comparison.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition,' indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit a bid. The presence of two bids suggests a moderate level of competition for this engineering services contract. While two bidders are better than one, a higher number of bids typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of technical solutions.
Taxpayer Impact: A competitive bidding process, even with two bidders, generally benefits taxpayers by encouraging more favorable pricing and service offerings compared to sole-source or limited competition scenarios.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Energy's research, development, or operational projects requiring specialized engineering expertise. The services delivered would encompass engineering design, analysis, consulting, or project management related to energy infrastructure or technologies. The geographic impact is likely concentrated in New Mexico, where the contract was awarded, or at DOE facilities nationwide. The contract supports a specialized segment of the engineering workforce, potentially requiring highly skilled professionals.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts require diligent oversight to ensure costs remain reasonable and the fixed fee is justified.
- Limited competition (two bidders) may have resulted in a higher price than if more firms had competed.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition, indicating an effort to maximize the pool of potential offerors.
- The contract specifies engineering services, a critical area for federal agency operations and infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, a vital component of the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector supports numerous government functions, including infrastructure development, research, and operational support. The Department of Energy, as a major federal agency, frequently procures engineering services for its diverse portfolio of energy-related projects, from research facilities to power generation and grid modernization efforts. Spending in this sector is often driven by infrastructure investments and technological advancements.
Small Business Impact
The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a small business set-aside. The prime contractor, Commodore Advanced Sciences Incorporated, would have had the discretion to subcontract, but this was not mandated by a set-aside provision.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this contract would have been primarily the responsibility of the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. As a Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, rigorous financial oversight would be crucial to monitor incurred costs against the fixed fee. Transparency would be facilitated through contract reporting mechanisms, and accountability would be tied to the successful completion of contracted engineering services and adherence to cost and schedule parameters. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.
Related Government Programs
- Department of Energy Research and Development Contracts
- Federal Engineering and Architectural Services
- Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Contracts
- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Risk Flags
- Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type requires diligent oversight to manage costs.
- Limited competition (two bidders) may reduce price competitiveness.
- Contract awarded in 1999, historical data may not reflect current market conditions.
Tags
engineering-services, department-of-energy, cost-plus-fixed-fee, full-and-open-competition, professional-scientific-and-technical-services, new-mexico, commodity-services, federal-contract, historical-contract, medium-value-contract
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Energy awarded $12.5 million to COMMODORE ADVANCED SCIENCES INCORPORATED. See the official description on USAspending.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COMMODORE ADVANCED SCIENCES INCORPORATED.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Energy (Department of Energy).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $12.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 1999-10-15. End: 2001-03-31.
What was the specific scope of engineering services provided under this contract?
The provided data indicates the contract was for 'Engineering Services' (NAICS code 541330) awarded by the Department of Energy. However, the specific scope of work, such as whether it involved design, analysis, consulting, project management, or a combination thereof, is not detailed in the summary data. To understand the precise services, one would need to review the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). This would clarify the technical requirements, deliverables, and the specific engineering disciplines involved, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, or nuclear engineering, relevant to the Department of Energy's mission.
How does the $12.5 million award compare to other engineering service contracts awarded by the Department of Energy around 1999?
The $12.5 million award for engineering services by the Department of Energy in 1999 is a significant but not exceptionally large sum for federal contracts in this category. During that period, the Department of Energy managed numerous large-scale projects and research initiatives that often required substantial engineering support. Comparable contracts could range from a few million to tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the complexity and duration of the engineering tasks. Without a detailed market analysis of engineering service contract values from that era, it's difficult to definitively benchmark this specific award. However, it suggests a substantial engagement requiring specialized expertise.
What were the primary risks associated with this Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract?
The primary risks associated with a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, like this one, revolve around cost control and contractor performance. For the government (Department of Energy), the risk is that the contractor may not be sufficiently incentivized to control costs, as the government pays actual allowable costs plus a fixed fee. This can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently. For the contractor, the risk lies in accurately estimating the costs to perform the work and ensuring the fixed fee adequately compensates them for their effort and risk, especially if unforeseen challenges arise. Effective oversight, clear definition of allowable costs, and robust performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.
What was Commodore Advanced Sciences Incorporated's track record prior to this award?
Information regarding Commodore Advanced Sciences Incorporated's specific track record prior to this 1999 award is not provided in the summary data. To assess their past performance, one would typically look at their history with federal agencies, including previous contracts, their value, duration, and performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports). A review of their experience in similar engineering services, their financial stability, and any past performance issues or commendations would be necessary to understand their capabilities and reliability as a contractor for this Department of Energy award.
How did the two-bidder competition impact the final price and value received by the government?
With only two bids received under full and open competition, the impact on the final price and value is uncertain without knowing the bid amounts and the government's estimate. While competition generally drives down prices, a limited number of bidders (two) might not have generated the most aggressive pricing possible. If the bids were significantly higher than the government's estimate or if the technical proposals varied widely, it could indicate that the competition was not as robust as desired. Conversely, if the bids were competitive and met all requirements, the government may have still received good value. A deeper analysis would require comparing the bid prices to each other and to independent cost estimates.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)
Contractor Details
Address: 507 KNIGHT ST STE B, RICHLAND, WA, 04
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $62,990,696
Exercised Options: $62,990,696
Current Obligation: $12,462,696
Timeline
Start Date: 1999-10-15
Current End Date: 2001-03-31
Potential End Date: 2001-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2008-02-07
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