DOE's $12M Protective Security Support Program Awarded to Oak Ridge Associated Universities

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $12,000,000 ($12.0M)

Contractor: OAK Ridge Associated Universities, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2003-12-29

End Date: 2006-01-31

Contract Duration: 764 days

Daily Burn Rate: $15.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PROTECTIVE SECURITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Place of Performance

Location: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA County, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, 20001

State: District of Columbia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $12.0 million to OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED for work described as: PROTECTIVE SECURITY SUPPORT PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract value is $12 million. 2. The award was not competed. 3. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee. 4. The sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed carefully. Without competition, it's difficult to assess if the pricing is optimal compared to similar services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as competitive pressures are absent.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a competitively awarded contract.

Public Impact

Taxpayers may be paying more due to the absence of competitive bidding. The specific services provided under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' are not detailed, impacting public understanding of the expenditure. The long duration (764 days) for a sole-source contract warrants scrutiny.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

  • Lack of Competition
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee Contract Type
  • Unspecified Services

Positive Signals

  • Awarded to a known entity (Oak Ridge Associated Universities)

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' Spending in this broad category can vary significantly, but a $12 million award for security support suggests a specialized or extensive requirement.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business.

Oversight & Accountability

The sole-source nature of this award necessitates robust oversight from the Department of Energy to ensure the contractor is performing effectively and costs are reasonable.

Related Government Programs

  • All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
  • Department of Energy Contracting
  • Department of Energy Programs

Risk Flags

  • Sole-source award
  • Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract type
  • Lack of detailed service description
  • Potential for inflated costs due to lack of competition

Tags

all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-energy, dc, dca, 10m-plus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $12.0 million to OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED. PROTECTIVE SECURITY SUPPORT PROGRAM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OAK RIDGE ASSOCIATED UNIVERSITIES, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $12.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2003-12-29. End: 2006-01-31.

What specific security services were provided under this contract, and how did they align with the Department of Energy's mission?

The contract description 'PROTECTIVE SECURITY SUPPORT PROGRAM' and NAICS code '541990' (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) are very broad. Without further details, it's impossible to ascertain the exact nature of the security support. This could range from physical security assessments and planning to specialized technical security measures, but the lack of specificity hinders a clear understanding of the value delivered.

What was the justification for awarding this $12 million contract on a sole-source basis without competition?

Sole-source awards typically require a strong justification, such as a unique capability possessed by only one contractor or an urgent need that precludes competition. The Department of Energy would need to provide documentation outlining this justification. The absence of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and reduced value for taxpayer money.

How was the 'fixed fee' component determined in this Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract, and was it benchmarked against industry standards?

In a Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contract, the fee is negotiated upfront and remains fixed regardless of the actual costs incurred. Determining this fee requires careful analysis of the contractor's proposed costs, overhead, and profit margin. Without access to the negotiation details or benchmarks for similar security support services, it's difficult to assess if the fixed fee represents fair value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesOther Professional, Scientific, and Technical ServicesAll Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Contractor Details

Address: 130 BADGER AVE., OAK RIDGE, TN, 03

Business Categories: Category Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,000,000

Exercised Options: $12,000,000

Current Obligation: $12,000,000

Timeline

Start Date: 2003-12-29

Current End Date: 2006-01-31

Potential End Date: 2006-01-31 00:00:00

Last Modified: 2010-03-12

More Contracts from OAK Ridge Associated Universities, Incorporated

View all OAK Ridge Associated Universities, Incorporated federal contracts →

Other Department of Energy Contracts

View all Department of Energy contracts →

Explore Related Government Spending