Kenneth Fletcher
WC Monitor
6/12/2015
Noting the “unprecedented” amount of Department of Energy procurements scheduled in the next few years, a recent report by the Energy Communities Alliance is urging a discussion with DOE on potential changes to its contracting policies and processes. The report notes that at least 17 major DOE contracts could expire between 2016 and 2019. “As DOE’s planning begins in earnest for this next wave of acquisitions, we are concerned that DOE’s current processes, policies and procedures are not currently up to the task,” the report states. It adds: “DOE’s effort to shift more risk to contractors through fixed-price and cost-capped contracts, fee claw-back and other measures has resulted in significantly decreased competition for recent DOE contracts and, more importantly, has been a severe impediment to the completion of work on several existing contracts. At the same time, community and site-level input into contracting strategy is diminishing and subcontractors whose vitality is critical to local economies are seeing a similar decrease in their roles and opportunities.”
ECA has requested a meeting with DOE that would include contractors and state regulators to address some of the contracting concerns. “DOE should use this opportunity to engage directly with local communities and contractors on these issues to develop an agreement on how best to proceed to accomplish the important missions at DOE,” the report states, adding later: “It is critical that the Department of Energy put in place acquisition policies that foster competition, drive performance, align with the goals of host communities and support a healthy and sustainable subcontracting base for the long-term.”
DOE: Competition Up in Future Procurements
The Department has adapted its strategy in response to industry feedback, DOE Office of Environmental Management Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition and Project Management Jack Surash said this week, noting that DOE changed fee provisions in the development of the new cleanup contract for the Idaho site as a result of concerns. “I think we’ve got that part of it solved. Now, pay attention in the next several months … to the number of proposers,” Surash said at an EM Business Opportunity Forum. “On our large procurements there will be no lack of competition now that we have this clawback stuff resolved. If any companies and proposers out there don’t like what we’re doing, come see me soon. If you are, I’m not hearing it at this point. Don’t be shy. If I don’t know, I can’t do anything about it.”
