DOE's $30.5M Personnel and Facility Clearance Support Services contract awarded to TUVA LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $30,467,352 ($30.5M)

Contractor: Tuva LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Energy

Start Date: 2016-11-01

End Date: 2024-02-01

Contract Duration: 2,648 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Number of Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: IGF::OT::IGF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF PERSONNEL AND FACILITY CLEARANCE SUPPORT SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87185

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Energy obligated $30.5 million to TUVA LLC for work described as: IGF::OT::IGF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF PERSONNEL AND FACILITY CLEARANCE SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract provides essential support for personnel and facility security clearances. 2. The contract duration spans over 8 years, indicating a long-term need. 3. Awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, suggesting a specific justification for the competition method. 4. The contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee, which can incentivize cost control but requires careful oversight. 5. Geographically, the contract is focused on New Mexico. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541690 points to 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates close monitoring to ensure costs remain reasonable and that the fixed fee adequately compensates the contractor for their efforts without excessive profit. The total award amount of approximately $30.5 million over nearly 7 years suggests a moderate annual spend for specialized support services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded using 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific circumstances led to the exclusion of certain potential bidders. The number of bids received (10) suggests a reasonable level of interest, but the exclusion clause warrants further investigation into the rationale and its potential impact on price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition method could potentially limit the number of competitive offers, possibly leading to less aggressive pricing than a truly unrestricted full and open competition.

Public Impact

Benefits the Department of Energy by ensuring the integrity and efficiency of personnel and facility clearance processes. Supports national security by maintaining robust vetting procedures for individuals and facilities. Services are primarily delivered in New Mexico, impacting the local workforce and economy. Ensures compliance with federal regulations regarding security clearances.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Cost Plus Fixed Fee contracts can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.
The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method may limit competitive pressure on pricing.
Long contract duration requires sustained oversight to ensure continued value and performance.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating multiple interested parties.
The contract addresses a critical function for national security and facility operations.
A significant number of bids (10) suggests a healthy market for these services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on consulting services related to security clearances. This is a niche but critical area supporting government operations, particularly in defense and energy sectors. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government contracts for similar personnel vetting, background investigation, and facility security management services, often awarded to specialized firms.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a primary set-aside goal for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). There is no explicit information on subcontracting plans for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee, TUVA LLC, is likely a larger entity, and the contract's structure may not have prioritized direct small business involvement or subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Department of Energy's contracting officers and program managers. The Cost Plus Fixed Fee structure necessitates rigorous financial oversight to track costs against the fixed fee and ensure compliance with contract terms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract award databases and reporting requirements, though specific performance reviews are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

Personnel Security Investigations
Facility Clearance Management
Background Check Services
Department of Energy Security Operations
National Nuclear Security Administration Support

Risk Flags

Competition Method: 'Exclusion of Sources' warrants scrutiny to ensure maximum value.
Contract Type: CPFF requires diligent oversight to control costs.
Long Duration: Extended period necessitates ongoing performance monitoring.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Energy awarded $30.5 million to TUVA LLC. IGF::OT::IGF DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF PERSONNEL AND FACILITY CLEARANCE SUPPORT SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TUVA LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $30.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2016-11-01. End: 2024-02-01.

What is the historical spending trend for personnel and facility clearance support services at the Department of Energy?

Analyzing historical spending trends for personnel and facility clearance support services at the Department of Energy (DOE) requires access to detailed budget allocations and contract award data over multiple fiscal years. While this specific contract represents a significant award of approximately $30.5 million from 2016 to 2024, it is one component of the DOE's overall security and personnel management budget. Broader trends would likely show fluctuations based on national security priorities, changes in regulatory requirements, and the number of personnel requiring clearances. Without access to comprehensive historical data across all relevant contracts and internal DOE expenditures, a precise trend analysis is not feasible. However, it is reasonable to assume that spending in this area remains consistently high due to the critical nature of security clearances for nuclear facilities and national security missions.

How does the pricing structure (Cost Plus Fixed Fee) compare to other contracts for similar services?

The Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) pricing structure is common for complex services where the scope of work may evolve or is difficult to define precisely at the outset, such as consulting or research and development. For personnel and facility clearance support, CPFF allows the contractor to cover all allowable costs plus a predetermined fixed fee representing profit. Compared to other contract types like Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), CPFF offers more flexibility but carries a higher risk of cost overruns if not managed effectively. FFP contracts provide greater cost certainty for the government but may lead to contractor risk aversion or scope limitations. Other structures like Time and Materials (T&M) are generally used for smaller, less defined tasks. The suitability of CPFF for this DOE contract suggests the government prioritized flexibility and contractor expertise over strict cost predictability, necessitating robust oversight.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate TUVA LLC's performance on this contract?

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for a contract like this, focused on personnel and facility clearance support services, would typically revolve around efficiency, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Specific KPIs might include the average time to process a clearance application, the percentage of applications processed without errors, adherence to security protocols and data privacy regulations, and the successful completion rate of background investigations. For facility clearances, KPIs could relate to the timeliness and accuracy of assessments and the maintenance of required security standards. While the exact KPIs are defined within the contract's Performance Work Statement (PWS), the government's objective is to ensure that TUVA LLC consistently meets or exceeds established standards to maintain the integrity of the clearance process and national security.

What is the potential impact of 'exclusion of sources' on the overall cost-effectiveness of this contract?

The 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' clause introduces a layer of complexity when assessing cost-effectiveness. While it implies a competitive process, the exclusion of certain potential bidders means the government may not have received offers from all capable sources in the market. This could limit the breadth of competition, potentially leading to higher prices than if all qualified vendors had been allowed to bid. The rationale for exclusion is critical; if it's based on specific technical requirements or security needs that only a subset of vendors can meet, the impact on cost-effectiveness might be justifiable. However, if the exclusion was arbitrary or overly restrictive, it could have reduced competitive pressure, resulting in less favorable pricing for the government and taxpayers.

How does this contract align with the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) broader mission objectives?

This contract directly supports the National Nuclear Security Administration's (NNSA) core mission objectives, which include ensuring the safety, security, and reliability of the nation's nuclear deterrent and preventing nuclear proliferation. Personnel and facility clearances are fundamental to these objectives, as they ensure that individuals with access to sensitive nuclear materials, technologies, and facilities are properly vetted and trustworthy. The NNSA operates highly secure facilities and manages complex nuclear programs, making robust clearance processes essential for maintaining operational security and preventing unauthorized access or misuse of materials. Therefore, the services provided by TUVA LLC are critical enablers for the NNSA to fulfill its national security mandate.

Industry Classification

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

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: DE-SOL-0006736

Offers Received: 10

Pricing Type: COST PLUS FIXED FEE (U)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 13873 PARK CENTER RD STE 300N, HERNDON, VA, 20171

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $30,467,352

Exercised Options: $30,467,352

Current Obligation: $30,467,352

Actual Outlays: $17,351,322

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline