University of Arkansas awarded $82,975 contract for water sample analysis, with analysis extending through June 2027

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $82,975 ($83.0K)

Contractor: Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-06-13

End Date: 2027-06-12

Contract Duration: 1,094 days

Daily Burn Rate: $76/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: ANALYZE WATER SAMPLES TO INCLUDE NITRATE, NITRITE, SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUS, TOTAL NITROGEN, AND TOTAL PHOSPHORUS. THESE SAMPLES WILL BE OVERNIGHT SHIPPED IN BATCHES EVERY OTHER WEEK OR MONTHLY. A SAMPLE BATCH OF 780 WILL BE SENT OVER THE COURSE O

Place of Performance

Location: JONESBORO, CRAIGHEAD County, ARKANSAS, 72401

State: Arkansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $82,975 to DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS for work described as: ANALYZE WATER SAMPLES TO INCLUDE NITRATE, NITRITE, SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUS, TOTAL NITROGEN, AND TOTAL PHOSPHORUS. THESE SAMPLES WILL BE OVERNIGHT SHIPPED IN BATCHES EVERY OTHER WEEK OR MONTHLY. A SAMPLE BATCH OF 780 WILL BE SENT OVER THE COURSE O Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable for specialized water sample analysis services over a multi-year period. 2. The sole-source nature of this award warrants scrutiny regarding potential cost efficiencies missed. 3. The fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for the agency. 4. The contract supports ongoing agricultural research, contributing to environmental monitoring. 5. The duration of the contract suggests a sustained need for these analytical services. 6. The geographic focus is on Arkansas, aligning with the University of Arkansas's regional research mandate.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific contract is challenging without more detailed cost breakdowns or comparable sole-source awards for similar water sample analysis. However, the total award of $82,975 over approximately three years suggests a modest annual expenditure. The fixed-price nature provides budget predictability. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of services per sample batch and the frequency of shipments to assess true value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically used when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances preclude full and open competition. The lack of competition means potential cost savings that might arise from a competitive bidding process were not realized.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award can sometimes lead to higher costs compared to a competitively bid contract, as the government may not benefit from the price reductions typically driven by market competition.

Public Impact

The Agricultural Research Service benefits from the specialized water sample analysis, supporting its research objectives. Services include the analysis of key water quality indicators such as nitrate, nitrite, phosphorus, and nitrogen. The geographic impact is primarily within Arkansas, where the University of Arkansas conducts its agricultural research. The contract supports scientific research and potentially contributes to understanding and managing water resources in agricultural regions.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in higher costs than a competitive award.
Limited transparency into the cost drivers for the analysis without a competitive bid process.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical agricultural research and water quality monitoring.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Long-term award ensures continuity of essential analytical services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the scientific and technical services sector, specifically focusing on environmental testing and analysis. The market for such services is diverse, ranging from large environmental consulting firms to specialized analytical laboratories. The Agricultural Research Service, as part of the Department of Agriculture, frequently procures such services to support its research into agricultural practices and their environmental impacts. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing the cost per sample or per batch for similar water quality testing services across various government agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract was awarded to the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas, which is not typically considered a small business. There is no indication of small business set-aside provisions or subcontracting requirements in the provided data. Therefore, this award is unlikely to have a direct positive impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) within the Department of Agriculture. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency oversight. The fixed-price nature simplifies financial oversight. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source award, but ARS would be responsible for ensuring the services meet the defined analytical requirements.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Contracts
Agricultural Research Support Services
Water Quality Testing Services
University Research Grants

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed cost breakdown hinders value assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $82,975 to DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS. ANALYZE WATER SAMPLES TO INCLUDE NITRATE, NITRITE, SOLUBLE REACTIVE PHOSPHORUS, TOTAL NITROGEN, AND TOTAL PHOSPHORUS. THESE SAMPLES WILL BE OVERNIGHT SHIPPED IN BATCHES EVERY OTHER WEEK OR MONTHLY. A SAMPLE BATCH OF 780 WILL BE SENT OVER THE COURSE O

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DIVISION OF AGRICULTURE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $82,975.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-13. End: 2027-06-12.

What is the specific breakdown of costs per sample or per batch for the water analysis services?

The provided data does not include a detailed cost breakdown per sample or per batch. The total award is $82,975 for the entire contract period. To assess the value for money, further information would be needed on the number of samples analyzed, the frequency of shipments, and the specific tests performed on each sample. Without this granularity, it is difficult to benchmark the per-unit cost against market rates or similar contracts. The fixed-price nature implies that the University of Arkansas has estimated these costs internally.

How does the cost of this contract compare to similar water sample analysis contracts awarded by other federal agencies?

Direct comparison is difficult due to the sole-source nature of this award and the lack of specific cost breakdowns per sample or test. Generally, the cost for water sample analysis can vary significantly based on the types of contaminants tested, the required turnaround time, and the volume of samples. For a contract of this duration and total value, the annual expenditure is relatively modest. However, without knowing the exact scope of work and the specific analytical parameters, a precise comparison to other federal contracts for similar services is not feasible. A competitive process would typically yield more transparent pricing data for benchmarking.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for these analytical services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award is the potential for paying a higher price than would be achieved through a competitive bidding process. Without competition, there is less incentive for the contractor to offer the lowest possible price. Additionally, there's a risk that the government might not be accessing the most innovative or efficient solutions available in the market, as only one provider's capabilities are being considered. Ensuring the necessity and justification for a sole-source award is crucial to mitigate these risks and demonstrate responsible use of taxpayer funds.

What is the track record of the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas in performing similar water analysis services for the government?

The provided data indicates the awardee is the Division of Agriculture of the University of Arkansas. Universities, particularly their agricultural divisions, often have established research capabilities and laboratories equipped for environmental and water quality analysis. While specific past performance data for this exact contract is not detailed here, it is reasonable to assume that an academic institution undertaking such work possesses the necessary scientific expertise and infrastructure. However, a comprehensive assessment would involve reviewing their past performance on similar government contracts or grants.

What are the historical spending patterns for water sample analysis by the Agricultural Research Service?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for water sample analysis by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). To analyze historical spending, one would need access to ARS's procurement databases or contract award histories over several fiscal years. This would allow for the identification of trends in spending, the types of contracts awarded (competitive vs. sole-source), the average cost per analysis, and the primary contractors utilized. Such an analysis would provide context for the current $82,975 award and help determine if it aligns with past expenditure levels.

How does the contract's duration (1094 days) impact the overall value and risk for the agency?

The contract duration of approximately three years (1094 days) provides the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) with continuity of essential water sample analysis services, which is beneficial for long-term research projects. This extended period can lead to administrative efficiencies by reducing the frequency of contract re-procurement. For the contractor, it offers a stable revenue stream. From a value perspective, a longer-term fixed-price contract can lock in current pricing, potentially shielding the agency from future price increases. However, it also means the agency is committed to this specific provider and scope for the duration, potentially missing out on better terms or services if the market evolves significantly.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Utilities › Water, Sewage and Other Systems › Water Supply and Irrigation Systems

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 12405B24Q0195

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1371 W ALTHEIMER DR, FAYETTEVILLE, AR, 72704

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $161,375

Exercised Options: $82,975

Current Obligation: $82,975

Actual Outlays: $42,698

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline