DOI's USGS Awards $140K for Precipitation Collection Station Operation at Farlington Fish Hatchery

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $14,000 ($14.0K)

Contractor: Joshua L Jagels

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-02-04

End Date: 2027-02-03

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $19/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: JOSH JAGELS - PRECIPITATION COLLECTION STATION OPERATOR (FARLINGTON FISH HATCHERY) SITE KS07

Place of Performance

Location: FARLINGTON, CRAWFORD County, KANSAS, 66734

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $14,000 to JOSHUA L JAGELS for work described as: JOSH JAGELS - PRECIPITATION COLLECTION STATION OPERATOR (FARLINGTON FISH HATCHERY) SITE KS07 Key points: 1. Contract awarded to JOSHUA L JAGELS for station operation. 2. Service falls under Testing Laboratories and Services (NAICS 541380). 3. The contract is a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order. 4. Duration is 729 days, ending February 3, 2027. 5. The award value is $140,000.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $140,000 over two years for a single operator position appears high for the described service. Benchmarking against similar roles or contracts for specialized equipment operation is needed for a clearer assessment.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. Without competition, it's difficult to ascertain if the pricing reflects fair market value or if more cost-effective solutions were available.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment, impacting taxpayer funds negatively.

Public Impact

Ensures continued operation of critical precipitation data collection at the Farlington Fish Hatchery. Supports the U.S. Geological Survey's hydrological monitoring and research efforts. Potential for taxpayer funds to be used inefficiently due to non-competitive award.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition
Potential for inflated pricing
Limited transparency on operator qualifications

Positive Signals

Ensures continuity of essential data collection
Supports agency mission objectives

Sector Analysis

The U.S. Geological Survey operates numerous monitoring stations nationwide. Spending on such services is typically benchmarked against operational costs for similar environmental monitoring equipment and personnel across federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that small businesses were considered or involved in this procurement, suggesting a missed opportunity for small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

The non-competitive nature of this award warrants further review by oversight bodies to ensure the price is fair and reasonable and that competition was appropriately waived.

Related Government Programs

Testing Laboratories and Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Geological Survey Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of documented justification for non-competition
Potential for uncompetitive pricing
No indication of small business participation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $14,000 to JOSHUA L JAGELS. JOSH JAGELS - PRECIPITATION COLLECTION STATION OPERATOR (FARLINGTON FISH HATCHERY) SITE KS07

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is JOSHUA L JAGELS.

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 $14,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-04. End: 2027-02-03.

What is the justification for the sole-source award, and was a market research conducted to ensure fair pricing?

The justification for a sole-source award is not provided in the data. Typically, agencies must document extensive market research to demonstrate that only one source can meet the requirement. Without this documentation, it's impossible to verify if fair pricing was achieved or if competition was truly not feasible.

How does the per-unit cost of operating this precipitation collection station compare to similar stations managed by other federal or state agencies?

The provided data does not include a per-unit cost metric. To assess value, a comparison would require detailed cost breakdowns for similar stations, including equipment maintenance, data processing, and personnel. Without this comparative data, the $140,000 award over two years is difficult to benchmark effectively.

What are the specific risks associated with relying on a single, non-competed provider for this critical data collection service?

The primary risks include potential price gouging, lack of service innovation, and dependency on a single individual. If the operator becomes unavailable or fails to perform adequately, the USGS may face significant disruption in data collection, potentially requiring costly emergency procurements or contract re-negotiations.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: DOIGFBO250024

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 102 HATCHERY RD, FARLINGTON, KS, 66734

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $35,000

Exercised Options: $14,000

Current Obligation: $14,000

Actual Outlays: $7,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline