Interior's USGS Awards $2.37M Task Order to Cherokee Nation System Solutions for Technical Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,368,151 ($2.4M)

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: $1.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: OY2 TASK ORDER-TOM: CHRISTINA HUNNICUTT

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE County, LOUISIANA, 70506

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.4 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: OY2 TASK ORDER-TOM: CHRISTINA HUNNICUTT Key points: 1. The task order, valued at $2.37 million, is for "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services." 2. Awarded to Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC, the contract falls under the broad category of professional services. 3. The contract's duration spans from October 2021 to June 2026, indicating a long-term need. 4. The specific nature of the "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" requires further clarification for precise sector analysis.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $2.37 million for a nearly 5-year period appears reasonable for specialized professional services. Benchmarking against similar "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" contracts would provide a more definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method is "FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES," suggesting a prior exclusion of certain sources before a limited competition. This method may impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition method raises questions about whether taxpayers received the best possible price for these services.

Public Impact

Citizens may not be aware of the specific scientific and technical services being procured by the USGS. The use of a limited competition could impact the diversity of businesses considered for government contracts. Long-term contracts like this can provide stability for contractors but require ongoing scrutiny to ensure continued value. The "All Other" category for services can obscure the exact nature of government spending, hindering public understanding.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about optimal price discovery.
The broad service category lacks specificity, making detailed analysis difficult.
No indication of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a specific entity, indicating a clear recipient for services.
Defined period of performance provides a clear timeframe for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services," a broad category that can encompass a wide range of activities. Without more specific details, it's difficult to benchmark against precise sector spending. Professional services contracts are common across many government agencies.

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 subcontracting opportunities were pursued or mandated.

Oversight & Accountability

The limited competition aspect warrants oversight to ensure fairness and adherence to procurement regulations. The long duration of the contract also necessitates periodic reviews to confirm ongoing necessity and performance.

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 service details hinders comprehensive analysis.
Limited competition raises concerns about price competitiveness.
No small business participation indicated.
Potential for higher costs due to restricted source selection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.4 million to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. OY2 TASK ORDER-TOM: CHRISTINA HUNNICUTT

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 $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

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

What specific scientific and technical services are encompassed by this "All Other" category, and how do they align with the USGS mission?

The "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" category is a broad classification used when services do not fit into more specific NAICS codes. For the USGS, this could potentially include a wide array of support functions, such as specialized data analysis, environmental consulting, or technical program support. Clarification is needed to understand the precise nature of the work and its direct contribution to the agency's scientific and geological objectives.

What was the justification for excluding other sources in this "Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources" scenario?

The justification for excluding other sources is critical for understanding the procurement's integrity. Agencies typically exclude sources due to specific capabilities, prior performance, or unique circumstances. Without this justification, it's difficult to assess if the exclusion was warranted or if it limited competition unnecessarily, potentially impacting the final price and the range of innovative solutions available to the government.

How does the pricing structure, based on labor hours, compare to industry benchmarks for similar specialized technical services?

Assessing the pricing based on labor hours requires detailed information on the types of labor, skill levels, and hours billed. Comparing this to industry benchmarks for comparable "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" is essential. If the labor rates are significantly higher than market averages, it could indicate potential overspending or a lack of competitive pressure driving down costs for the taxpayer.

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: $2,384,657

Exercised Options: $2,384,657

Current Obligation: $2,368,151

Actual Outlays: $2,151,298

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