Interior's USGS Awards $84.5M Contract for Research IV Services to Cherokee Nation System Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $84,465 ($84.5K)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-01-09

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 508 days

Daily Burn Rate: $166/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: RESEARCH IV

Place of Performance

Location: COLUMBIA, BOONE County, MISSOURI, 65201

State: Missouri Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $84,464.72 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: RESEARCH IV Key points: 1. The contract is for "All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services" under NAICS code 541990. 2. Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC is the awardee, with the contract having a duration of 508 days. 3. The award was made under full and open competition after exclusion of sources. 4. This contract represents a significant investment in specialized technical services for the U.S. Geological Survey. 5. The total award value is $84,464,720.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $84.5M over approximately 17 months suggests a substantial but potentially reasonable price for specialized research services. Benchmarking against similar large-scale technical service contracts would be necessary for a definitive assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value is obtained.

Taxpayer Impact: The significant value of this contract means taxpayers are funding specialized research services, with the expectation of valuable scientific and technical outcomes.

Public Impact

Supports critical scientific research and technical services for the U.S. Geological Survey. Potential for advancements in areas covered by 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. Award to Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC may reflect a commitment to specific contracting strategies or capabilities. Long-term duration suggests ongoing or complex project requirements.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in "All Other" service categories.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical research functions.
Ensuring effective performance monitoring over the contract duration.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Significant investment in scientific and technical capabilities.
Long-term contract provides stability for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. Spending in this area can vary significantly based on agency needs, but large contracts like this indicate substantial requirements for advanced support.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not the primary focus of this specific award, though they may participate as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will be crucial to ensure the effective delivery of services and adherence to the contract's scope and budget. The Department of the Interior and the U.S. Geological Survey are responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring accountability.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Broad service category ('All Other') may obscure specific performance risks.
Long contract duration increases exposure to changing requirements or economic factors.
Potential for contractor lock-in if specialized knowledge is developed.
Need for robust government oversight to manage performance and costs effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $84,464.72 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. RESEARCH 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 $84,464.72.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-01-09. End: 2026-06-01.

What specific scientific or technical areas does 'Research IV' encompass, and how does this contract align with USGS's strategic research priorities?

The contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' which is very broad. To assess value, it's essential to understand the specific deliverables and research objectives. Alignment with USGS priorities would indicate strategic resource allocation, while a lack of clarity might suggest a need for more defined project scope and justification.

Given the 'exclusion of sources' clause, what was the rationale for excluding other potential bidders, and how was fair market price ensured?

The 'exclusion of sources' typically implies that certain potential sources were identified but not included in the solicitation, or that the competition was limited to a specific set of pre-qualified entities. Understanding the justification (e.g., unique capabilities, prior performance) is key. Fair market price is usually ensured through competitive analysis, historical pricing, or independent government cost estimates, even within a limited competition.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will the government measure the effectiveness of the services provided by Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC?

Effective measurement relies on clearly defined KPIs tied to the specific research and technical tasks. These could include timeliness of deliverables, quality of scientific output, adherence to technical specifications, and innovation. The government's oversight team will track these KPIs against contract requirements to ensure successful performance and taxpayer value.

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: $84,465

Exercised Options: $84,465

Current Obligation: $84,465

Actual Outlays: $47,172

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