Interior's $1.12M contract for specialized IT and research services awarded to Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $1,121,143 ($1.1M)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 1,703 days

Daily Burn Rate: $658/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: GIS SPECIALIST V, WEB SUPPORT SPECIALIST IV AND RESEARCHER II

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33701

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $1.1 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: GIS SPECIALIST V, WEB SUPPORT SPECIALIST IV AND RESEARCHER II Key points: 1. Contract addresses a need for skilled IT and research personnel, indicating potential gaps in internal capabilities. 2. The award to a single entity suggests a focused approach to acquiring specific expertise. 3. Performance period extends over multiple fiscal years, allowing for sustained support. 4. The contract type, labor hours, points to a flexible service delivery model. 5. Geographic location of performance is Florida, potentially impacting regional IT support and research activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.12 million over approximately 5.6 years (1703 days) for specialized IT and research roles appears reasonable given the niche skill sets required. Benchmarking against similar contracts for GIS specialists, web support, and researchers is challenging due to the combined nature of the roles. However, the labor hour pricing model allows for flexibility, and the total value is modest for a multi-year federal IT support contract. Further analysis would require detailed rates for each role and comparison to market data for comparable skill sets in Florida.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' which implies that while full and open competition was intended, specific sources were excluded at some point in the process. This could be due to reasons like national security, specific technological requirements, or prior performance issues with other vendors. The exact number of bidders is not specified, but the 'exclusion of sources' language suggests a potentially narrowed field compared to a truly unrestricted full and open competition. This could impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs if the excluded sources represented significant competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may have faced slightly higher costs due to the exclusion of certain potential bidders, limiting the full competitive pressure that could drive down prices.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) benefits from specialized IT and research support, enabling critical scientific and mapping activities. Services include support for GIS specialists, web support, and researchers, crucial for data analysis and dissemination. The contract's performance in Florida supports federal operations within that state. The contract likely supports a small team of specialized personnel, contributing to the federal workforce in technical roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method warrants further investigation to ensure fair market access and optimal pricing.
Lack of specific performance metrics or KPIs in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the contractor's effectiveness.
The labor hour contract type can lead to cost overruns if not managed diligently.

Positive Signals

The contract is awarded to Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC, a Native American-owned business, potentially aligning with socio-economic goals.
The multi-year duration suggests a stable and ongoing need for these specialized services.
The contract supports critical functions within the U.S. Geological Survey.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). This broad category encompasses a wide range of specialized services. The market for such services is competitive, with numerous firms offering IT support, research, and geospatial expertise. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, driven by agencies like the Department of the Interior requiring advanced analytical and technical capabilities for their missions. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar IT support and research roles across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications or specific impacts on the small business ecosystem stemming from a set-aside provision. The prime contractor, Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC, is an entity that may itself be considered a small business depending on its size standards, but the contract itself was not awarded under a small business set-aside program. Analysis of subcontracting opportunities would require further details on the prime contractor's own small business utilization plan.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior. Contract administration and performance monitoring are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract databases like FPDS-NG, where award details are published. Accountability measures would involve the contractual terms, including deliverables, service level agreements, and payment schedules, which the contractor must meet. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction over any potential fraud, waste, or abuse related to this contract.

Related Government Programs

Geographic Information System (GIS) Services
IT Support Services
Scientific Research and Development Support
Federal IT Services Contracts
Professional and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Competition Method: 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' may limit competitive pricing.
Performance Metrics: Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data hinders objective assessment of value.
Contract Type: Labor-hour contracts require diligent oversight to manage costs and prevent scope creep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $1.1 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. GIS SPECIALIST V, WEB SUPPORT SPECIALIST IV AND RESEARCHER II

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 $1.1 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What is the track record of Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC with the Department of the Interior and similar contracts?

Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC (CNSS) has a history of contracting with various federal agencies, including the Department of the Interior. Analyzing their past performance with DOI and other agencies is crucial for assessing their reliability and capability. This involves reviewing past contract awards, performance evaluations (if publicly available), and any history of disputes or contract terminations. For this specific contract, understanding CNSS's experience with GIS, web support, and researcher roles, particularly within scientific or environmental agencies, would provide valuable context. A review of their federal procurement data would reveal the extent and nature of their previous work, helping to gauge their suitability and potential risks associated with this award.

How does the pricing structure and total value compare to market rates for similar specialized IT and research services?

The total contract value of $1.12 million over approximately 5.6 years for a combination of GIS Specialist, Web Support Specialist, and Researcher II roles is modest for federal IT services. However, a precise value-for-money assessment requires benchmarking against specific labor rates for these roles in the Florida region. Since the contract is labor-hour based, the actual expenditure can vary. Comparing the blended hourly rate (if calculable) against General Services Administration (GSA) schedules or other publicly available market data for comparable skill sets is essential. The 'limited' competition level might suggest that pricing could be higher than in a fully open market scenario. Without detailed rate breakdowns, a definitive comparison is difficult, but the overall value appears fair for specialized, multi-year support.

What are the specific risks associated with the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award method?

The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' award method presents several potential risks. Primarily, it suggests that the field of potential bidders was narrowed down from an initial full and open solicitation. The reasons for excluding sources (e.g., national security, specific technical requirements, or past performance issues) are critical. If exclusions were not well-justified or based on overly restrictive criteria, it could limit competition, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation. There's also a risk that qualified vendors were inadvertently excluded, impacting the government's ability to secure the best possible value. Transparency regarding the basis for exclusion is key to mitigating these risks and ensuring fairness in the procurement process.

How effective is the U.S. Geological Survey in managing labor-hour contracts for specialized services like this one?

The effectiveness of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in managing labor-hour contracts for specialized services hinges on robust contract administration and oversight. Labor-hour contracts offer flexibility but require diligent monitoring to prevent scope creep and control costs. Key factors include the agency's ability to clearly define work requirements, track hours worked accurately, and ensure that the services provided align with the contract's objectives. The USGS's experience with IT and research support contracts, their established processes for performance evaluation, and the expertise of their contract officers are critical determinants. Without specific data on USGS's performance in managing similar contracts, assessing their effectiveness is speculative, but standard government contracting best practices are expected to be applied.

What are the historical spending patterns for GIS Specialist, Web Support, and Researcher roles within the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for GIS Specialist, Web Support, and Researcher roles within the Department of the Interior (DOI) can be analyzed through federal procurement databases. Examining past awards for similar services, including contract values, durations, and awarded contractors, provides insight into the agency's reliance on external support for these functions. Trends might reveal an increasing or decreasing need for such services, shifts in contracting methods (e.g., from sole-source to competitive), and average contract values. Understanding these patterns helps contextualize the current $1.12 million award, indicating whether it represents a typical investment or a significant deviation. This historical data is crucial for budget planning and assessing the long-term strategy for acquiring these specialized capabilities.

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: $1,121,143

Exercised Options: $1,121,143

Current Obligation: $1,121,143

Actual Outlays: $1,061,540

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