Interior's OIT User Support Services Contract Awarded to Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans for $8.79M
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $8,790,270 ($8.8M)
Contractor: Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-08-30
End Date: 2026-05-15
Contract Duration: 623 days
Daily Burn Rate: $14.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: IT
Official Description: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OIT
Place of Performance
Location: PENDLETON, UMATILLA County, OREGON, 97801
State: Oregon Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $8.8 million to CAYUSE NATIVE HAWAIIAN VETERANS, LLC for work described as: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OIT Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a small business, potentially impacting broader market competition. 2. Services fall under 'Other Computer Related Services', a broad category. 3. The contract's value is moderate, but the lack of competition raises concerns. 4. Focus on user support suggests a critical but potentially replicable service.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $8.79M for user support services appears reasonable for the duration and scope. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to ascertain if this represents the best possible price.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not have explored all available vendors, potentially leading to a higher price than a full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of robust competition limits the potential for cost savings, meaning taxpayers may be paying more than necessary for these IT support services.
Public Impact
Ensures essential IT support for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Supports a small business, aligning with federal small business contracting goals. Potential for improved IT infrastructure and user experience within the agencies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpayment
- Limited vendor pool
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a small business
- Supports critical IT functions
Sector Analysis
IT user support services are crucial for agency operations, with spending benchmarks varying widely based on agency size and complexity. This contract falls within the 'Other Computer Related Services' NAICS code, which is broad and encompasses many IT support functions.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Cayuse Native Hawaiian Veterans, LLC, a small business. This aligns with federal goals to support small businesses, but the limited competition method raises questions about whether other small businesses were considered.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract's limited competition status warrants further oversight to ensure fair pricing and adequate service delivery. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education should monitor performance closely.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competitive bidding
- Potential for non-competitive pricing
- Limited vendor options explored
- Dependence on a single small business
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-the-interior, or, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $8.8 million to CAYUSE NATIVE HAWAIIAN VETERANS, LLC. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY USER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR OIT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is CAYUSE NATIVE HAWAIIAN VETERANS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $8.8 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-30. End: 2026-05-15.
What is the justification for not competing this contract more broadly, given the potential for cost savings?
The justification for not competing this contract more broadly is not explicitly stated in the provided data. Typically, limited competition might be used for specialized services, urgent needs, or when only one responsible source is available. However, for general IT user support, a broader competition is usually expected to yield better value for taxpayers.
How does the per-unit cost of this contract compare to similar IT user support contracts within the federal government?
A direct per-unit cost comparison is not possible without more detailed service metrics (e.g., cost per user, cost per ticket). The contract is priced based on labor hours. Benchmarking would require analyzing contracts with similar scopes of work and labor categories across different agencies to identify potential cost deviations.
What is the risk of service disruption if this vendor's performance is unsatisfactory, given the limited competition?
The risk of service disruption is moderate. While the contract is with a specific small business, the nature of IT user support is often critical. If performance is unsatisfactory, the agency would need to initiate a new procurement process, which can be time-consuming, potentially leading to a gap in service or reliance on interim solutions.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - IT MANAGEMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 140A1624Q0085
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 72632 COYOTE RD, PENDLETON, OR, 97801
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, 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: $8,790,270
Exercised Options: $8,790,270
Current Obligation: $8,790,270
Actual Outlays: $7,343,403
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-30
Current End Date: 2026-05-15
Potential End Date: 2026-05-15 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-30
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