Task Force Ironman II contract awarded for $20.26M to an undisclosed domestic entity for electrical services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $20,264,092 ($20.3M)

Contractor: Domestic Awardees (undisclosed)

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2013-07-22

End Date: 2014-01-21

Contract Duration: 183 days

Daily Burn Rate: $110.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: LICENSED ELECTRICIANS - TASK FORCE IRONMAN II CONTRACT AWARD

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $20.3 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED) for work described as: LICENSED ELECTRICIANS - TASK FORCE IRONMAN II CONTRACT AWARD Key points: 1. The contract's value of over $20 million for a 6-month period suggests a significant scope of work. 2. The "Not Competed" status raises questions about potential cost efficiencies and market-driven pricing. 3. The specific services provided under "Other Electric Power Generation" require further clarification to assess performance. 4. The short duration of 183 days indicates a focused, potentially urgent, operational need. 5. The lack of disclosed awardee details hinders a comprehensive assessment of contractor experience and past performance. 6. The use of "Labor Hours" as a contract type can introduce cost uncertainty if not managed closely.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging due to the undisclosed awardee and limited details on the specific services rendered. The contract's value of over $20 million for a period of approximately six months suggests a substantial investment. Without comparable contracts or a clear understanding of the scope, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. The "Labor Hours" pricing mechanism, while flexible, can lead to cost overruns if not meticulously tracked and managed.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded under a "Not Competed" basis, indicating a sole-source procurement. This means that the Department of the Army did not solicit bids from multiple potential contractors. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances, such as urgent needs or unique capabilities, they typically limit price discovery and may not result in the most cost-effective outcome for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A sole-source award means taxpayers did not benefit from competitive bidding, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple offers had been considered.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely military operations requiring specialized electrical power generation support. Services delivered include labor hours for electrical tasks, contributing to the operational readiness of the Department of Defense. The geographic impact is presumed to be within the operational theater of Task Force Ironman II, likely a military installation or deployed location. Workforce implications involve the deployment of licensed electricians, potentially impacting the availability of skilled labor for other projects.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of transparency regarding the awardee prevents assessment of their track record and potential conflicts of interest.
The "Not Competed" procurement method limits the government's ability to secure the best possible pricing.
The "Labor Hours" contract type carries inherent risks of cost escalation if not rigorously managed.
Vague service description ('Other Electric Power Generation') makes it difficult to ascertain the true value and necessity of the expenditure.

Positive Signals

The contract addresses a specific need for electrical services, indicating a direct application of resources to an operational requirement.
The award to a domestic entity supports domestic industry, although the specific company remains undisclosed.
The contract duration, while short, suggests a focused effort to meet a defined objective.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader electrical power generation and services sector. The market for specialized electrical services supporting defense operations is often characterized by a limited number of highly qualified contractors. While specific market size data for this niche is not readily available, the Department of Defense is a significant consumer of such services, often requiring rapid deployment and specialized expertise. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more detail on the exact nature of the electrical work performed.

Small Business Impact

The contract details indicate that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement (ss: false, sb: false). There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or goals for small businesses. This suggests that the primary awardee, whoever they may be, was not mandated to engage small businesses for a portion of the work, potentially limiting opportunities for the small business ecosystem in this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Department of the Army's contracting and program management offices. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery of electrical services as per the contract's labor hour requirements. Transparency is limited due to the undisclosed awardee and the sole-source nature of the award. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Task Force Operations
Military Electrical Infrastructure
Contingency Support Services
Department of Defense Procurement

Risk Flags

Lack of Transparency in Awardee
Sole-Source Procurement
Potential for Cost Overruns (Labor Hours)
Vague Service Description

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $20.3 million to DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED). LICENSED ELECTRICIANS - TASK FORCE IRONMAN II CONTRACT AWARD

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DOMESTIC AWARDEES (UNDISCLOSED).

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $20.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2013-07-22. End: 2014-01-21.

What specific electrical services were performed under "Other Electric Power Generation" for Task Force Ironman II?

The provided data classifies the service under NAICS code 221118, which pertains to 'Other Electric Power Generation.' However, the specific nature of the electrical services rendered under this contract is not detailed. This could encompass a wide range of activities, from the installation and maintenance of temporary power generation units to specialized electrical grid support in a deployed or operational environment. Without further clarification from the awarding agency (Department of the Army), it is impossible to ascertain the precise tasks performed, the complexity involved, or the specific technologies utilized. This lack of detail makes it challenging to assess the necessity and effectiveness of the expenditure.

What is the rationale behind the "Not Competed" (sole-source) award for this $20.26 million contract?

The justification for a sole-source award typically stems from specific circumstances outlined in federal acquisition regulations, such as urgent and compelling needs, unique contractor capabilities, or the unavailability of other sources. Given the "Not Competed" status, the Department of the Army must have determined that soliciting bids from multiple offerors was not feasible or advantageous for this particular requirement. Potential reasons could include a critical operational deadline, a highly specialized technical requirement only met by one known entity, or a national security imperative. However, without the official justification documentation (e.g., a Justification and Approval document), the precise rationale remains speculative, hindering a full assessment of the procurement's integrity and cost-effectiveness.

How does the "Labor Hours" contract type (PT: LABOR HOURS) impact cost control and value for money in this context?

The "Labor Hours" contract type means the government pays the contractor for the time spent by their personnel, plus agreed-upon overhead and profit rates, rather than for a fixed price or a specific deliverable. While this offers flexibility, especially when the scope of work is uncertain or evolves, it inherently carries a higher risk of cost overruns if not managed diligently. For this $20.26 million contract, effective cost control would depend heavily on robust government oversight to monitor hours worked, ensure efficiency, and validate the necessity of the labor provided. Without stringent tracking and management, the total cost could exceed initial estimates, potentially diminishing the value for money achieved compared to a firm-fixed-price contract where the contractor assumes more cost risk.

What are the implications of the "Domestic Awardees (Undisclosed)" for accountability and performance assessment?

The decision to keep the awardee's identity undisclosed presents significant challenges for accountability and performance assessment. Transparency is a cornerstone of effective government contracting, allowing for public scrutiny and informed analysis. When the awardee is unknown, it becomes impossible to research their past performance record, identify potential conflicts of interest, or assess their capacity to deliver the contracted services effectively. This lack of information hinders the ability to determine if the government secured services from a reputable and capable contractor, potentially masking issues related to quality, timeliness, or adherence to contract terms. It also limits the ability to draw meaningful comparisons with other similar contracts or contractors.

Given the short contract duration (183 days), what kind of operational need might this contract have addressed?

A contract duration of 183 days (approximately six months) suggests a requirement that is either time-sensitive, project-specific, or intended to bridge a gap until a longer-term solution is in place. For Task Force Ironman II, this could relate to supporting a specific military operation with a defined timeline, addressing an immediate need for electrical infrastructure upgrades or repairs before a larger project commences, or providing surge capacity during a period of heightened activity. The "Other Electric Power Generation" classification further implies a focus on ensuring power availability, which is critical for military readiness and operational success. The short duration might also indicate a pilot program or a response to an unforeseen event requiring rapid deployment of electrical expertise.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution › Other Electric Power Generation

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, ALTER REAL PROPERTY › MAINT, ALTER, REPAIR NONBUILDINGS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: W912BU13R0056

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1800 F ST NW, WASHINGTON, DC, 20405

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $20,264,092

Exercised Options: $20,264,092

Current Obligation: $20,264,092

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Timeline