DOI's $3.57M task order to Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions for technical services shows a competitive award

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,569,359 ($3.6M)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2021-10-01

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 1,704 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.1K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OY2 TASK ORDER-TOM: KEVIN SUIR

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE County, LOUISIANA, 70506

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.6 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: OY2 TASK ORDER-TOM: KEVIN SUIR Key points: 1. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating a robust bidding process. 2. The duration of the contract is over 1700 days, suggesting a long-term need for these services. 3. The task order is for professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category with many potential providers. 4. The award value is moderate, suggesting it is not a flagship program but a necessary operational support contract. 5. The contract is a delivery order, a common mechanism for procuring services under existing agreements. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, implying larger firms were likely involved in the bidding.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $3.57 million over its period of performance appears reasonable for specialized technical services. Benchmarking against similar professional, scientific, and technical services contracts within the Department of the Interior would provide a clearer picture of value for money. However, the competitive award process suggests that pricing was scrutinized against multiple offers, which typically drives better value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources,' which is a specific type of full and open competition. This indicates that the agency sought proposals from all responsible sources, but may have excluded certain sources for specific reasons not detailed here. The fact that it was competed broadly suggests multiple bidders likely participated, leading to a more competitive pricing environment.

Taxpayer Impact: A competitive award process generally benefits taxpayers by ensuring that the government receives the best possible price and quality for the services rendered, avoiding inflated costs associated with sole-source or limited competition contracts.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) benefits from this contract by receiving essential professional, scientific, and technical support. Services delivered likely include data analysis, research support, technical consulting, or other specialized expertise required by the USGS. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Louisiana, where the contractor is based, but the services may support national USGS initiatives. Workforce implications include employment opportunities within Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions LLC and potentially its subcontractors.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the effectiveness of the services delivered.
The broad nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' could lead to scope creep if not managed carefully.
Reliance on a single task order under a larger contract structure means performance issues could disrupt critical USGS operations.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a fair and competitive selection process.
The contractor, Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions LLC, is an established entity, potentially bringing relevant experience.
The contract duration indicates a sustained need and likely a successful prior relationship or demonstrated capability.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the broad 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector, specifically NAICS code 541990. This sector is characterized by a wide range of specialized services, from research and development to consulting and testing. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior relies heavily on such services for its scientific and mapping missions. Comparable spending in this sector across federal agencies is substantial, reflecting the government's continuous need for expert support in diverse scientific and technical fields.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, as indicated by `sb: false`. This suggests that the competition was open to all responsible sources, including large businesses. While there's no direct indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses, the absence of a set-aside means that opportunities for small business participation may be limited unless proactively pursued by the prime contractor. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting plans were a factor in the award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the U.S. Geological Survey contracting officers and program managers within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are usually embedded in the contract's terms and conditions, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where basic award information is publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior IT and Technical Services
USGS Scientific Support Contracts
Professional and Technical Services - All Other
Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) for Technical Services

Risk Flags

Broad NAICS code may obscure specific service risks.
Contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Lack of explicit small business subcontracting goals noted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.6 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. OY2 TASK ORDER-TOM: KEVIN SUIR

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 $3.6 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2021-10-01. End: 2026-06-01.

What specific technical services are being provided under this task order, and how do they align with the U.S. Geological Survey's mission objectives?

The provided data classifies this task order under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This is a broad category that can encompass a wide array of activities, including but not limited to scientific research support, data analysis, technical consulting, environmental assessments, and specialized testing. Without more specific details within the contract documentation, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact services. However, given the awarding agency is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), these services likely support the agency's core mission of monitoring Earth resources, understanding natural hazards, and providing scientific data and tools for resource management and public safety. Examples could include geological surveys, hydrological modeling, geospatial data processing, or environmental monitoring support.

How does the $3.57 million contract value compare to similar technical services contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior or the USGS?

The $3.57 million value for this task order, spanning from October 1, 2021, to June 1, 2026 (approximately 5 years), represents an average annual value of roughly $714,000. This is a moderate-sized contract within the vast landscape of federal procurement. The Department of the Interior and its bureaus, like the USGS, frequently award contracts for professional, scientific, and technical services. Many contracts in this category can range from tens of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, depending on the scope and duration. This particular task order's value appears reasonable for specialized support, especially considering it was awarded competitively. A more precise comparison would require analyzing the specific services rendered and benchmarking against contracts with similar scopes of work and durations within the agency and across government.

What is the track record of Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions LLC (CNSS) is a significant federal contractor, often performing work across various agencies. As a subsidiary of the Cherokee Nation, it has a focus on providing technology and mission support services. Publicly available contract databases (like FPDS) show CNSS has received numerous awards across different federal departments, including the Department of the Interior. Their performance history is generally considered positive, often receiving satisfactory ratings on past performance evaluations. However, like any large contractor, specific contract performance can vary. For this particular task order (OY2 TASK ORDER-TOM), its status as a delivery order under a larger contract implies a certain level of established performance or capability that led to its issuance. A deep dive into past performance reviews for CNSS on similar contracts would offer more granular insights.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract of this nature, and what mitigation strategies might be in place?

Potential risks for a 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contract include scope creep, where the project's requirements expand beyond the original agreement, leading to cost overruns and schedule delays. Another risk is the potential for contractor underperformance, where the quality or timeliness of deliverables does not meet expectations. If the services are highly specialized, there's also a risk related to key personnel turnover. Mitigation strategies typically involve robust contract management by the government, including clear definition of scope, regular performance reviews, defined deliverables and acceptance criteria, and strong communication channels with the contractor. The competitive nature of the award itself serves as a risk mitigation factor, as it implies the selection of a capable and reasonably priced vendor.

How has federal spending in the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) trended over the past five years?

Federal spending within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category (NAICS 541990) has shown a generally upward trend over the past five years, reflecting the government's consistent need for specialized expertise across a wide range of functions. While specific figures fluctuate annually based on agency priorities and budget allocations, this category consistently represents a significant portion of federal service contract spending. Agencies like the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of the Interior are major consumers of these services. Factors driving this spending include the increasing complexity of government missions, the need for specialized scientific research, advanced technical support, and consulting services that often require expertise not available in-house.

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: $3,569,359

Exercised Options: $3,569,359

Current Obligation: $3,569,359

Actual Outlays: $3,367,239

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