Interior's USGS awards $695K contract for business support specialists to Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,533 ($69.5K)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-03-07

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 451 days

Daily Burn Rate: $154/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: STSSC SOUTHEAST (CHEROKEE NATIONS) FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT SPECIALIST VII

Place of Performance

Location: NASHVILLE, DAVIDSON County, TENNESSEE, 37211

State: Tennessee Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $69,532.56 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: STSSC SOUTHEAST (CHEROKEE NATIONS) FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT SPECIALIST VII Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized business support, indicating a need for expertise beyond standard administrative roles. 2. The award to a specific Native American-owned business suggests potential alignment with socio-economic contracting goals. 3. A single delivery order under a larger contract structure implies ongoing needs and a pre-established relationship. 4. The duration of the contract (over a year) suggests a sustained requirement for these specialized services. 5. The service category (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services) is broad, requiring further detail on specific deliverables.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $695,325.56 for a period of approximately 1.5 years appears reasonable for specialized business support services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'Business Support Specialist VII' roles is difficult without more specific details on the required skills and experience. However, the labor hours pricing model allows for flexibility. The overall value proposition depends heavily on the criticality and complexity of the support provided.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES.' This indicates that while the competition was intended to be broad, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the number of bidders. The exact reasons for exclusion and the number of actual bidders are not detailed, making it difficult to fully assess the competitive landscape. This approach can sometimes lead to less aggressive pricing compared to unrestricted full and open competition.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the lowest possible price achievable through a wider bidding process.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) benefits from specialized business support to enhance operational efficiency. Services delivered likely include strategic planning, process improvement, and administrative support for scientific initiatives. The contract's impact is primarily internal to the USGS, supporting its mission delivery. Workforce implications include the potential for specialized roles within the contractor's organization to support federal agencies.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition could result in higher costs for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it hard to gauge true value for money.
The broad service category 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' lacks specificity, increasing risk of scope creep or misaligned expectations.

Positive Signals

Award to a Native American-owned business aligns with federal socio-economic contracting goals.
The use of a delivery order structure suggests a potentially established and satisfactory working relationship.
The contract duration indicates a stable need, allowing for focused service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically under NAICS code 541990. This is a broad category encompassing a wide range of specialized services. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, supporting various agencies' missions. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without knowing the precise nature of the business support required, but contracts for specialized consulting and technical services can range significantly in value.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates the awardee is 'CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC,' which is a Native American-owned business. While not explicitly a small business set-aside, awards to entities owned by Native Americans often contribute to federal socio-economic goals. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans or specific impacts on the broader small business ecosystem beyond the primary awardee.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Geological Survey's program management and contracting officers. Accountability measures are usually embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards and reporting requirements. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Professional and Technical Services
Management and Business Support Services
Native American Owned Business Contracts
Department of the Interior Contracts

Risk Flags

Limited competition may impact price.
Broad service category lacks specificity.
Performance metrics not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $69,532.56 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. STSSC SOUTHEAST (CHEROKEE NATIONS) FOR BUSINESS SUPPORT SPECIALIST VII

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 $69,532.56.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-07. End: 2026-06-01.

What specific services are included under 'Business Support Specialist VII' for the USGS?

The provided data categorizes this contract under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' and specifies the role as 'Business Support Specialist VII.' Without further documentation, the exact scope of services remains undefined. Typically, such roles within federal agencies involve providing specialized administrative, analytical, or project support to facilitate the efficient operation of specific programs or departments. This could encompass tasks like data analysis, report generation, strategic planning assistance, process improvement initiatives, or coordination of complex projects. The 'VII' designation suggests a senior or highly specialized level of expertise is required. Further details would likely be found in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with the contract.

How does the pricing structure (labor hours) compare to fixed-price contracts for similar services?

A labor hours contract, like this one, is flexible as it pays for the actual time spent by personnel at pre-negotiated hourly rates. This is advantageous when the scope of work is not precisely defined or is expected to fluctuate. However, it carries a risk of cost overruns if the work takes longer than anticipated. Fixed-price contracts, conversely, offer price certainty to the government but require a well-defined scope of work upfront. If the scope is underestimated, the contractor may incur losses, potentially leading to reduced quality or disputes. For specialized roles like a 'Business Support Specialist VII,' a labor hours approach might be preferred if the specific tasks and duration are uncertain, allowing the agency to scale support as needed. However, it necessitates robust monitoring of hours worked to ensure efficiency and prevent unnecessary costs.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a contract under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources'?

Awarding a contract under 'Full and Open Competition after Exclusion of Sources' presents several potential risks. Primarily, it limits the pool of potential bidders, which can reduce overall competition. This reduced competition may lead to higher prices than could be achieved in an unrestricted full and open competition. Furthermore, the exclusion of specific sources, if not clearly justified and documented, could raise questions about fairness and potentially lead to protests. The government might miss out on innovative solutions or cost-saving approaches that excluded vendors could have offered. While this method aims to ensure fair opportunity among a defined set of qualified sources, it inherently carries a risk of suboptimal price discovery and potentially less robust market engagement compared to a truly unrestricted competition.

What is the significance of the awardee being 'Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC'?

The significance of 'Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC' being the awardee lies in its status as a Native American-owned business. Federal procurement policy actively encourages agencies to award contracts to businesses owned by socio-economically disadvantaged groups, including Native American tribes and their enterprises. Awards to such entities contribute to federal goals of promoting economic development and providing opportunities for these communities. Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC likely qualifies for specific contracting preferences or set-aside programs, although the contract type here ('FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES') suggests a broader competition framework was used, possibly with a preference applied. This award demonstrates the government's commitment to leveraging the capabilities of these businesses while meeting its socio-economic objectives.

How does the contract duration (451 days) impact the overall value and risk?

The contract duration of 451 days (approximately 15 months) provides a substantial period for the contractor to deliver services and for the agency to realize benefits. From a value perspective, this longer duration allows for deeper integration of support and potentially more impactful contributions to USGS projects, assuming effective performance. It also offers stability for the contractor. However, a longer duration also increases the overall financial commitment and extends the period during which risks can materialize. For the government, it means a sustained expenditure. If the scope of work is not perfectly defined, the risk of cost escalation over this period is higher with a labor-hours contract. Conversely, if the services are critical and well-executed, the extended period allows for sustained value delivery, potentially outweighing the risks.

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: $69,533

Exercised Options: $69,533

Current Obligation: $69,533

Actual Outlays: $44,065

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