VA's $13.8M Energy Metering Pilot Awarded to Geo-Marine, Inc. for Engineering Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $13,851,276 ($13.9M)

Contractor: Geo-Marine, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Veterans Affairs

Start Date: 2008-09-29

End Date: 2012-02-01

Contract Duration: 1,220 days

Daily Burn Rate: $11.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: VISN 10&22 ENERGY METERING PILOT

Place of Performance

Location: BRECKSVILLE, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44141

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Veterans Affairs obligated $13.9 million to GEO-MARINE, INC. for work described as: VISN 10&22 ENERGY METERING PILOT Key points: 1. The contract's value of $13.8 million represents a significant investment in energy efficiency for the VA. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. The contract duration of 1220 days (over 3 years) allows for comprehensive pilot program implementation and data collection. 4. The fixed-price contract type shifts performance risk to the contractor, Geo-Marine, Inc. 5. The award was made by the Department of Veterans Affairs, highlighting a focus on infrastructure modernization. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541330 points to specialized engineering services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $13.8 million contract for an energy metering pilot is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable projects. However, the duration of over three years suggests a substantial scope. The firm fixed-price nature implies that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for the government if managed effectively. Further analysis would require comparing the delivered outcomes against the initial investment and industry standards for similar pilot programs.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple bidders had the opportunity to submit proposals. The presence of 3 bids (as indicated by 'no': 3) suggests a reasonable level of competition for this specialized engineering service. This competitive environment is generally expected to drive more favorable pricing and encourage innovation from the participating firms.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process helps ensure that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market-driven price discovery mechanism.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Veterans Affairs facilities, which will gain insights into energy consumption patterns. The services delivered include engineering expertise for the implementation and evaluation of an energy metering pilot program. The geographic impact is focused on facilities managed by VISN 10 & 22, likely within the Ohio region given the 'st': 'OH' and 'sn': 'OHIO' data. The contract supports the VA's broader goals of improving operational efficiency and potentially reducing energy costs across its network.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if the fixed-price contract does not adequately account for unforeseen technical challenges.
Dependence on contractor expertise for successful pilot implementation and data accuracy.
Limited visibility into the detailed cost breakdown of the contractor's proposed solution.

Positive Signals

Firm fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Full and open competition suggests a robust selection process.
Long contract duration allows for thorough pilot evaluation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS 541330), a critical component of infrastructure development and modernization. The energy metering pilot addresses the growing need for smart building technologies and energy management solutions within federal agencies. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements, sustainability goals, and the pursuit of operational cost savings. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other federal or large-scale private sector investments in energy efficiency technologies and related engineering consulting.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Given the specialized nature of engineering services for a pilot program of this scale, it is likely that larger, established firms with relevant expertise were best positioned to compete. There is no explicit information regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses, which could represent a missed opportunity to engage the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and program managers within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm fixed-price contract terms, requiring the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly accessible. The Inspector General's office for the VA would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Department of Veterans Affairs Energy Management Programs
Federal Energy Efficiency Initiatives
Smart Building Technology Contracts
Engineering Consulting Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Contract duration exceeds typical pilot program timelines, potentially indicating scope creep or extended evaluation needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in the award data makes value assessment challenging.
Engineering services for pilot programs can be susceptible to unforeseen technical challenges impacting cost and schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Veterans Affairs awarded $13.9 million to GEO-MARINE, INC.. VISN 10&22 ENERGY METERING PILOT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GEO-MARINE, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Veterans Affairs (Department of Veterans Affairs).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $13.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2008-09-29. End: 2012-02-01.

What was the specific technical scope and expected outcomes of the VISN 10&22 Energy Metering Pilot?

The provided data does not detail the specific technical scope or expected outcomes of the VISN 10&22 Energy Metering Pilot. However, based on the contract's nature as an 'Energy Metering Pilot' awarded for 'Engineering Services,' it can be inferred that the project likely involved the installation, calibration, and testing of advanced metering systems within VA facilities managed by VISN 10 and VISN 22. The objective would be to gather granular data on energy consumption across various building systems (e.g., HVAC, lighting, plug loads) to identify inefficiencies, optimize usage, and potentially inform future energy conservation measures or infrastructure upgrades. The success of such a pilot is typically measured by the accuracy and completeness of the data collected, the identification of actionable insights for energy savings, and the overall cost-effectiveness of the implemented metering technology.

How does the $13.8 million contract value compare to similar energy metering pilot programs within the federal government?

Directly comparing the $13.8 million contract value for this specific energy metering pilot is difficult without access to a comprehensive database of similar federal projects, including their scope, duration, and specific technologies employed. However, federal agencies are increasingly investing in energy efficiency and smart building technologies. Larger-scale energy management contracts can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, encompassing broader energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs) or major infrastructure overhauls. A pilot program of this magnitude, awarded over a period of approximately 3.3 years (1220 days), suggests a significant undertaking, potentially involving multiple facilities or complex metering solutions. It indicates a substantial commitment by the VA to explore advanced energy monitoring capabilities.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) used to evaluate the success of this energy metering pilot?

The provided data does not specify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this energy metering pilot. Typically, for such a project, KPIs would focus on the accuracy and reliability of the metering data collected, the identification of specific energy-saving opportunities (e.g., percentage reduction in waste), the cost-effectiveness of the implemented metering technology, and the successful integration of the system with existing VA infrastructure. Other potential KPIs could include the number of anomalies detected, the timeliness of data reporting, and the user-friendliness of the system for VA facility managers. The contractor's ability to meet these defined KPIs would be crucial for determining the overall success and value derived from the $13.8 million investment.

What is Geo-Marine, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs and similar federal energy projects?

Information regarding Geo-Marine, Inc.'s specific track record with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) or similar federal energy projects is not detailed in the provided data. The award of this $13.8 million contract suggests they possess the necessary qualifications and experience to undertake such an initiative. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine past performance evaluations, other contracts awarded to Geo-Marine, Inc. by the VA or other federal agencies, and their history with energy-related engineering services. A review of federal procurement databases and contractor performance systems would be necessary to gain a comprehensive understanding of their past performance and reliability.

What are the potential risks associated with a firm fixed-price contract for an innovative pilot program like this?

While a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract is generally advantageous for the government as it caps costs, it can introduce risks, especially for innovative pilot programs. For Geo-Marine, Inc., the primary risk is underestimating the costs associated with unforeseen technical challenges, integration complexities, or the need for specialized equipment or expertise that may arise during the pilot's execution. If the fixed price is too low, the contractor may face financial losses, potentially impacting their motivation or ability to deliver the full scope. Conversely, if the price was set too high to account for potential risks, the government might overpay. For the VA, the risk lies in the contractor potentially cutting corners on quality or scope to maintain profitability if cost pressures mount, or conversely, the pilot failing to achieve its objectives if the contractor is overly conservative due to risk aversion.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 550 E 15TH ST, PLANO, TX, 90

Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Minority Owned Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Special Designations, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $14,756,864

Exercised Options: $13,851,276

Current Obligation: $13,851,276

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS10F0359L

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline