Interior's USGS Awards $538K for Scientist III Services to Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $538,060 ($538.1K)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-10-01

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 2,069 days

Daily Burn Rate: $260/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SCIENTIST III

Place of Performance

Location: GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA County, FLORIDA, 32653

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $538,059.93 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: SCIENTIST III Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Scientist III services, totaling $538,059.93. 2. Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC is the contractor. 3. The Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey is the agency. 4. Contract type is 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 5. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $538,059.93 for Scientist III services appears moderate. Benchmarking against similar professional, scientific, and technical services contracts would be necessary for a precise assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources', indicating a competitive process. However, the exclusion of specific sources warrants further investigation to ensure optimal price discovery and value.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for specialized scientific support services. The competitive nature of the award aims to ensure reasonable pricing, but the exclusion clause requires scrutiny.

Public Impact

Supports critical scientific research and technical services for the U.S. Geological Survey. Ensures continuity of operations for specialized scientific roles. Potential impact on scientific data collection and analysis.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Exclusion of sources in competition
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data

Positive Signals

Awarded to a company with potential ties to a specific tribal nation
Supports essential government scientific functions

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. Spending in this sector is often driven by agency-specific needs for expertise not readily available in-house.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if the prime contractor is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve the U.S. Geological Survey monitoring contract performance, adherence to terms, and financial expenditures. The 'Exclusion of Sources' clause may require specific justification and oversight.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Geological Survey Programs

Risk Flags

Potential lack of broad competition due to source exclusion
Need for detailed performance metrics to assess value
Contract duration extends significantly, requiring ongoing monitoring
Unclear if small business participation was considered

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $538,059.93 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. SCIENTIST III

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $538,059.93.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2026-06-01.

What specific scientific expertise does 'Scientist III' entail, and how does it align with the USGS's mission?

The 'Scientist III' role likely involves advanced scientific research, data analysis, and technical support within the U.S. Geological Survey's domain. This could range from geological surveys and environmental monitoring to resource management. The alignment with the USGS mission would depend on the specific tasks outlined in the full contract, ensuring the expertise directly contributes to the agency's goals of understanding Earth systems and natural hazards.

What was the rationale for excluding certain sources during the full and open competition?

The rationale for excluding sources in a 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' award typically stems from specific technical requirements, unique capabilities, or prior performance that only a limited number of vendors can meet. This exclusion must be justified to ensure fair competition while still allowing the government to procure specialized services effectively. Without further details, the specific reasons remain unclear.

How will the effectiveness of the 'Scientist III' services be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?

The effectiveness of 'Scientist III' services is typically measured through performance metrics defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). These metrics could include timely delivery of reports, accuracy of data analysis, successful completion of research objectives, and adherence to scientific standards. The Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) at the USGS would be responsible for monitoring these metrics and ensuring the contractor meets performance expectations.

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

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cherokee Nation

Address: 10838 E MARSHALL ST STE 200-A17, TULSA, OK, 74116

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not 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: $538,060

Exercised Options: $538,060

Current Obligation: $538,060

Actual Outlays: $501,854

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140G0120D0021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline