DOI's USGS Awards $367K for General Biologist Services to Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $367,525 ($367.5K)
Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2021-02-22
End Date: 2026-06-01
Contract Duration: 1,925 days
Daily Burn Rate: $191/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: STSSC ORDER FOR GENERAL BIOLOGIST IV
Place of Performance
Location: GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA County, FLORIDA, 32653
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $367,524.79 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: STSSC ORDER FOR GENERAL BIOLOGIST IV Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized scientific and technical services. 2. Competition method indicates potential for competitive pricing. 3. Risk appears moderate given the service nature and contract duration. 4. Services fall under professional, scientific, and technical sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $367,524.79 over approximately 5 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized biologist support. Benchmarking against similar professional services contracts would provide a more 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, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to more competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary scientific services.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific research and data collection by the U.S. Geological Survey. Ensures continuity of specialized biological expertise for environmental monitoring and assessment. Contributes to understanding and managing natural resources within the United States.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Clear service description for biologist support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, which is a significant area of federal spending. Benchmarks for similar services vary widely based on specialization and duration.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is managed by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey, implying established oversight mechanisms for scientific service contracts. The duration and value suggest regular performance monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of specific small business participation details.
- Potential for scope creep in long-term scientific service contracts.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical biological services.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-the-interior, fl, delivery-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $367,524.79 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. STSSC ORDER FOR GENERAL BIOLOGIST IV
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 $367,524.79.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2021-02-22. End: 2026-06-01.
What is the specific nature of the 'General Biologist IV' services required?
The specific duties of a 'General Biologist IV' would typically involve advanced research, data analysis, field studies, and potentially project management related to biological sciences. This could encompass areas like ecology, wildlife biology, conservation, or environmental science, depending on the USGS's specific needs for this contract.
How does the pricing compare to market rates for similar biological consulting services?
Without specific details on the tasks performed and the qualifications required, a direct market rate comparison is difficult. However, the 'full and open competition' award method suggests the pricing was vetted against multiple offers, likely aligning it with competitive market rates for professional scientific services.
What is the potential impact of contract duration on service quality and cost-effectiveness?
The contract duration of approximately 5 years (ending June 2026) allows for long-term project planning and continuity of expertise. This can enhance service quality and potentially lead to cost savings through established working relationships and reduced onboarding time compared to multiple short-term contracts.
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: $367,525
Exercised Options: $367,525
Current Obligation: $367,525
Actual Outlays: $334,412
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
Start Date: 2021-02-22
Current End Date: 2026-06-01
Potential End Date: 2026-06-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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