Interior's Bureau of Reclamation awards $17.4M contract for Grand Coulee Generator Exciter Replacements to ABB Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $17,427,781 ($17.4M)
Contractor: ABB Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2010-03-01
End Date: 2013-05-10
Contract Duration: 1,166 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EXCITER REPLACEMENT FOR GENERATORS G19-G24, GRAND COULEE THIRD POWERPLANT, WASHINGTON
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $17.4 million to ABB INC for work described as: EXCITER REPLACEMENT FOR GENERATORS G19-G24, GRAND COULEE THIRD POWERPLANT, WASHINGTON Key points: 1. Contract awarded to ABB Inc. for generator exciter replacements at Grand Coulee Dam. 2. The contract was awarded under full and open competition. 3. The total value of the contract is $17.4 million. 4. The contract duration was 1166 days, ending in May 2013.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $17.4 million for generator exciter replacements appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the equipment and the scale of the Grand Coulee Third Powerplant. Benchmarking against similar large-scale power generation equipment upgrades would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust process for price discovery and selection of the most advantageous offer. This method typically leads to competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process likely ensured a fair price, maximizing the value of taxpayer funds for this critical infrastructure upgrade.
Public Impact
Ensures continued reliable operation of critical hydroelectric power generation at Grand Coulee Dam. Supports the nation's energy infrastructure and the reliable supply of electricity. Investment in aging infrastructure to prevent potential failures and costly emergency repairs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Awarded to a known industry supplier.
- Supports critical national infrastructure.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Motor and Generator Manufacturing sector, specifically supporting large-scale power generation infrastructure. Spending in this sector is often driven by infrastructure upgrades, maintenance, and the need for reliable energy production.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to ABB Inc., a large corporation, and there is no indication of specific subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within the provided data. Further analysis would be needed to determine any small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, indicating established governmental oversight for this project. The fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty.
Related Government Programs
- Motor and Generator Manufacturing
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen technical challenges arise during installation.
- Dependency on a single supplier (ABB Inc.) for specialized equipment.
- Long project duration could introduce risks related to technology obsolescence or changing operational needs.
- Aging infrastructure requires continuous monitoring and maintenance beyond this specific upgrade.
Tags
motor-and-generator-manufacturing, department-of-the-interior, dca, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $17.4 million to ABB INC. EXCITER REPLACEMENT FOR GENERATORS G19-G24, GRAND COULEE THIRD POWERPLANT, WASHINGTON
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ABB INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $17.4 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2010-03-01. End: 2013-05-10.
What was the specific technical scope of the 'Exciter Replacement' and how did it contribute to the overall generator performance and lifespan?
The exciter is a critical component responsible for providing the DC current to the generator's field winding, which in turn creates the magnetic field necessary for electricity generation. Replacing older exciters with modern units like those from ABB Inc. likely improved voltage regulation, transient response, and overall efficiency of generators G19-G24. This upgrade would enhance the reliability and potentially extend the operational lifespan of these vital power units at Grand Coulee.
Were there any performance issues or failures with the previous exciters that necessitated this replacement, and what risks were mitigated?
While specific failure data isn't provided, the replacement of exciters on generators of this age (likely several decades old) suggests a proactive approach to mitigate the risk of component failure. Such failures could lead to unplanned outages, reduced power generation, and potentially cascading damage to other generator components. This contract aimed to prevent such costly disruptions and ensure the continued, reliable output of electricity from the Grand Coulee Third Powerplant.
How does the cost of this exciter replacement project compare to similar upgrades at other major hydroelectric facilities in the US?
Without specific comparative data for similar exciter replacement projects at other major US hydroelectric facilities, a direct cost-effectiveness assessment is challenging. However, the $17.4 million awarded to ABB Inc. for six generators at Grand Coulee, a facility of immense scale, suggests a significant but potentially justifiable investment. Factors like the specific technology used, the complexity of integration, and the age of the existing equipment would influence costs across different projects.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Electrical Equipment Manufacturing › Motor and Generator Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: ELECTRIC WIRE, POWER DISTRIB EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 09SP101718
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: ABB Inc. (UEI: 480657126)
Address: 10300 BOUL HENRI-BOURASSA O, SAINT-LAURENT
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $17,427,781
Exercised Options: $17,427,781
Current Obligation: $17,427,781
Contract Characteristics
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2010-03-01
Current End Date: 2013-05-10
Potential End Date: 2013-05-10 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2014-12-15
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