Agriculture awards $2.3M task order for technical support services to Chickasaw Business Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,309,645 ($2.3M)

Contractor: Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-09-26

End Date: 2026-06-25

Contract Duration: 272 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.5K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE SERVICING OFFICE.

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT LOUIS, SAINT LOUIS CITY County, MISSOURI, 63102

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $2.3 million to CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC for work described as: THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE SERVICING OFFICE. Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the fixed-price nature of the contract and the duration. 2. Competition was limited, raising questions about potential price discovery and taxpayer value. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract and a single awardee. 4. Performance context involves technical and professional support for the Rural Housing Service. 5. Sector positioning is within consulting services, a common area for federal support contracts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of approximately $2.3 million over 272 days suggests a daily rate of around $8,491. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it is difficult to benchmark this against similar contracts. However, the firm-fixed-price structure implies that the contractor assumes the risk of cost overruns, which can be a positive indicator for value if the scope is well-defined. The absence of a specific Public Law 114-264 (Small Business Act) set-aside suggests it was not specifically targeted for small business participation.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $8,491 per day.

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This task order was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances necessitate a rapid award. The lack of competition means that potential alternative pricing and service offerings from other qualified vendors were not explored, which could impact the final price and the overall value obtained by the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards limit the government's ability to leverage market competition to secure the best possible pricing for taxpayers. This can potentially lead to higher costs compared to a fully competed contract.

Public Impact

The Rural Housing Service benefits from technical and professional support, potentially improving program efficiency. Services delivered include consulting, which can aid in operational improvements and strategic planning. The geographic impact is primarily within the scope of the Rural Housing Service's operations, likely nationwide. Workforce implications are minimal, as this contract provides external support rather than direct federal hiring.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition may result in suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed information on specific deliverables makes value assessment challenging.
Sole-source awards can reduce transparency and accountability in the procurement process.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract shifts cost risk to the contractor.
Contract duration of over two years provides stability for service delivery.
Awardee has a contract vehicle (indicated by 'st': 'MO', likely a Master Ordering Agreement or similar) which can streamline future procurements.

Sector Analysis

The federal consulting services sector is vast, encompassing a wide range of expertise from IT to management and scientific support. This contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS code 541690). Spending in this category is substantial across various agencies, supporting diverse mission requirements. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar task orders for technical and professional support within agencies like the Department of Agriculture or other entities focused on housing and rural development.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside, nor does it indicate any specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The awardee, Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC, is identified as a business entity, but its size classification (small or large) is not provided in the data. The lack of set-aside provisions means that opportunities for small businesses to compete directly for this work were not prioritized.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this task order would typically fall under the Rural Housing Service's program management and contracting officers within the Department of Agriculture. Accountability measures are tied to the firm-fixed-price contract terms and the defined period of performance. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award; however, contract award data is generally publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of Agriculture IT Support Services
Rural Development Program Support
Federal Professional Services Contracts
Technical Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition
Sole-source award
Lack of detailed performance metrics

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $2.3 million to CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC. THE PURPOSE OF THIS TASK ORDER IS TO PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE SERVICING OFFICE.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHICKASAW BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Rural Housing Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.3 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-26. End: 2026-06-25.

What is the track record of Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC in performing similar technical and professional support services for federal agencies?

Information regarding the specific track record of Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC in performing similar technical and professional support services for federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. To assess their past performance, one would need to consult federal procurement databases such as SAM.gov or FPDS-NG for historical contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. A thorough review would involve examining the types of services rendered, contract values, agencies served, and client feedback to gauge their capability and reliability in fulfilling the requirements of this task order.

How does the daily rate of approximately $8,491 compare to market rates for similar consulting services?

The daily rate of approximately $8,491 for technical and professional support services is a significant figure that requires careful benchmarking. To assess its competitiveness, it should be compared against industry data for similar services, considering factors such as the specific expertise required (e.g., IT, management, engineering), the geographic location of service delivery, and the experience level of the personnel provided. Data from professional organizations, consulting industry reports, and analyses of other federal contracts for comparable services would be necessary. Without this comparative data, it is challenging to definitively state whether this rate represents excellent, fair, or questionable value for money.

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

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for technical support services include a lack of price competition, which can lead to inflated costs for the government and taxpayers. There is also a reduced incentive for the awarded contractor to innovate or provide exceptional value, as there is no direct competitive pressure. Furthermore, sole-source awards can raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the procurement process, potentially limiting opportunities for other capable businesses. If the selected contractor underperforms, the government has limited recourse without a competitive re-procurement, which can be time-consuming and costly.

What is the expected impact of these services on the efficiency and effectiveness of the Rural Housing Service?

The expected impact of these technical and professional support services on the Rural Housing Service's efficiency and effectiveness hinges on the specific nature of the support provided. If the services involve process optimization, IT system enhancements, data analysis, or strategic planning, they could lead to streamlined operations, improved service delivery to rural communities, better program management, and enhanced decision-making. However, without a detailed statement of work or defined performance metrics, the precise impact remains speculative. The success will depend on the contractor's ability to deliver high-quality, relevant support aligned with the agency's strategic goals.

What has been the historical spending trend for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' within the Department of Agriculture?

Analyzing the historical spending trend for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) within the Department of Agriculture (USDA) would provide context for this $2.3 million task order. A review of past USDA procurement data would reveal the typical volume of spending in this category, the average contract values, and the primary agencies or offices utilizing these services. Understanding this trend can help determine if this award is consistent with historical patterns, unusually large, or indicative of a shift in the agency's reliance on external consulting support. Significant increases or decreases in spending could signal changes in program needs, budget allocations, or internal capacity.

Are there any performance concerns or positive performance indicators documented for Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC on previous contracts?

The provided data does not contain specific performance concerns or positive indicators for Chickasaw Business Solutions, LLC. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing performance evaluation reports (e.g., CPARS) available through federal procurement systems. These reports offer insights into a contractor's past performance regarding quality, timeliness, cost control, and customer satisfaction on previous government contracts. Without this information, it is impossible to evaluate the contractor's reliability and suitability based on their historical performance record.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2600 JOHN SAXON BLVD STE 2223, NORMAN, OK, 73071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,079,526

Exercised Options: $2,309,645

Current Obligation: $2,309,645

Actual Outlays: $1,026,509

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $135,821

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12C0BA22D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline