Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs Awards $3.7M Task Order for Professional Services to Flatwater, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,723,762 ($3.7M)

Contractor: Flatwater, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-08-21

End Date: 2025-08-21

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $10.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: DEMD_A1622F0061 - TASK ORDER 5 FLATWATER 5TH TASK ORDER

Place of Performance

Location: WINNEBAGO, THURSTON County, NEBRASKA, 68071

State: Nebraska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.7 million to FLATWATER, INCORPORATED for work described as: DEMD_A1622F0061 - TASK ORDER 5 FLATWATER 5TH TASK ORDER Key points: 1. The contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' under NAICS code 541990. 2. Flatwater, Inc. is the sole awardee for this specific task order. 3. The contract duration is one year, with an estimated value of $3.72 million. 4. This task order falls under a larger contract vehicle, but specific details on the base contract are not provided. 5. The award was made after excluding other sources, indicating a specific justification was likely required.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The value of $3.72 million for a one-year task order for professional services appears within a reasonable range for specialized technical support. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' would provide a clearer picture of its competitiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' suggesting that while competition was considered, only specific sources were invited or deemed suitable. This method can sometimes lead to higher prices compared to broad full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized professional services. The limited competition aspect warrants scrutiny to ensure the price paid represents fair market value.

Public Impact

Supports the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, potentially impacting services for Native American communities. The services provided are general technical and scientific, making their direct public impact less visible but crucial for agency operations. Awarding to a single entity for this task order raises questions about the breadth of available expertise and potential for cost savings through wider competition.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition after exclusion of sources
Lack of detailed justification for source exclusion
Potential for higher costs due to limited competition

Positive Signals

Award supports critical agency functions
Contract has a defined one-year period
Specific task order value is clear

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad and encompasses a wide range of specialized support. Spending in this area often reflects the need for expertise not readily available within government agencies. Benchmarks vary significantly based on the specific services rendered.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this specific task order award (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if the base contract vehicle included small business considerations or if this is an area for potential improvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure Flatwater, Inc. delivers the contracted services effectively and within budget. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education are responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance with the terms of the task order.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs

Risk Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpayment.
Lack of transparency regarding the exclusion of sources.
Potential for better pricing through broader competition.
Small business participation is absent in this award.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.7 million to FLATWATER, INCORPORATED. DEMD_A1622F0061 - TASK ORDER 5 FLATWATER 5TH TASK ORDER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FLATWATER, INCORPORATED.

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 $3.7 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-08-21. End: 2025-08-21.

What specific services are included under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for this task order, and how do they align with the Bureau of Indian Affairs' mission?

The specific services are not detailed in the provided data. However, this category typically includes a wide array of support such as research, development, consulting, and technical assistance. For the Bureau of Indian Affairs, these services could range from environmental consulting to program evaluation or data analysis, all aimed at supporting the agency's mission to enhance the lives of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.

What was the justification for excluding other sources, and how was fair market value ensured under this limited competition scenario?

The justification for excluding other sources is not provided but is a critical element for 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' Agencies must demonstrate why only specific sources meet the requirements. Fair market value is typically ensured through pre-negotiated rates on a base contract, comparison to similar services, or independent government cost estimates. Without the justification, it's difficult to assess the rigor of the price discovery process.

What is the expected impact of these professional services on the effectiveness of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education programs?

The impact depends entirely on the nature of the services rendered. If the services are critical for program planning, implementation, or evaluation, they could significantly enhance the effectiveness of the Bureaus' initiatives. Conversely, if the services are administrative or tangential, the impact on program effectiveness might be indirect. A clear understanding of the service scope is necessary to gauge their true contribution.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 140A1624Q0068

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Ho-Chunk, Inc.

Address: 1 MISSION DR, WINNEBAGO, NE, 68071

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,723,762

Exercised Options: $3,723,762

Current Obligation: $3,723,762

Actual Outlays: $3,723,762

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140A1622D0010

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline