Interior awards $420K Biological Technician contract to Dennis J Gould for 2 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $41,978 ($42.0K)

Contractor: Dennis J Gould

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-06-09

End Date: 2027-06-08

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $58/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW SSC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE County, LOUISIANA, 70506

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $41,977.6 to DENNIS J GOULD for work described as: NEW SSC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the duration and scope of biological technician services. 2. Competition was limited under SAP, suggesting potential for better price discovery with broader outreach. 3. The contract is a purchase order, indicating a streamlined acquisition process. 4. Services are for biological technician support, aligning with USGS scientific research objectives. 5. The contract is awarded to a single individual, raising questions about scalability and redundancy. 6. Geographic focus is Louisiana, potentially impacting regional scientific initiatives.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $419,777.60 over two years for a biological technician is within a reasonable range for specialized scientific support. However, without specific details on the tasks and required expertise, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Comparing this to similar contracts for individual scientific support personnel within the USGS or other agencies would provide better context. The purchase order format suggests a potentially efficient acquisition, but also limits the ability to benchmark against multiple competing proposals.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and may not achieve the full benefits of open competition. While three bids were received, the limited nature of SAP suggests that a broader solicitation could have potentially yielded more competitive pricing and a wider range of qualified offerors. The specific reasons for using SAP instead of full and open competition are not detailed.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in higher costs for taxpayers compared to a fully competed contract, as it reduces the pressure on bidders to offer their most competitive prices.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey benefits from specialized biological technician support for its scientific research. Services delivered will likely involve fieldwork, data collection, and laboratory analysis related to biological sciences. The geographic impact is focused on Louisiana, supporting environmental and biological studies in that region. Workforce implications include direct support for scientific endeavors, potentially enhancing research output.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition raises concerns about optimal pricing and potential for better value.
Award to a single individual may pose risks related to continuity of service and knowledge transfer.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes assessing performance difficult.

Positive Signals

The contract supports critical scientific research for the U.S. Geological Survey.
The purchase order format suggests a potentially efficient and streamlined acquisition process.
The contract duration of two years provides a stable period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically related to biological and environmental research. The market for such services is diverse, ranging from individual consultants to large research firms. The U.S. Geological Survey, as part of the Department of the Interior, frequently procures services to support its extensive research and monitoring activities across various scientific disciplines. Benchmarking this contract's value against similar individual support roles within federal agencies would be beneficial.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it specify any subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem appears minimal based on this information. Further analysis of the contractor's business size and any potential subcontracting plans would be needed for a comprehensive assessment.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the U.S. Geological Survey's program management and contracting officers. As a purchase order, it likely has defined deliverables and payment milestones. Transparency is moderate, as the award is publicly reported, but detailed performance reports or Inspector General involvement would depend on specific project needs or identified issues.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Geological Survey Research Grants
Environmental Monitoring Contracts
Biological Field Support Services
Scientific Personnel Services

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Sole Individual Award
Potential for Better Value with Broader Competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $41,977.6 to DENNIS J GOULD. NEW SSC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DENNIS J GOULD.

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 $41,977.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-09. End: 2027-06-08.

What specific biological science tasks will Dennis J Gould be performing under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for a 'NEW SSC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE TECHNICIAN' under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services). While the specific tasks are not detailed, biological technician roles typically involve assisting scientists with fieldwork, collecting biological samples (e.g., water, soil, plant, animal), conducting laboratory analyses, maintaining equipment, managing data, and preparing reports. The 'SSC' designation might refer to a specific program or location within the U.S. Geological Survey, suggesting the technician's work will be tied to that particular initiative's research objectives in Louisiana.

How does the contract value of approximately $420,000 over two years compare to market rates for biological technicians?

A contract value of roughly $420,000 over 24 months equates to an average of $17,500 per month, or approximately $100 per hour assuming a standard 40-hour work week (factoring in some overhead and profit). This rate appears competitive, potentially even on the higher end, for a biological technician, especially if the role requires specialized skills, extensive fieldwork in challenging conditions, or significant independent work. However, without knowing the exact qualifications, experience level required, and the specific nature of the duties (e.g., remote sensing, genetic analysis, ecological surveys), a precise market comparison is difficult. Rates can vary significantly by geographic location and the complexity of the scientific discipline.

What are the risks associated with awarding a contract of this nature to a single individual?

Awarding a contract primarily focused on individual services to a single person carries several inherent risks. Firstly, there's a risk to continuity of service; if the individual becomes unavailable due to illness, personal emergency, or decides to leave the contract prematurely, the project could face significant delays or disruptions. Secondly, knowledge transfer and redundancy are limited. The project's success becomes heavily reliant on one person's expertise and availability. Thirdly, scalability is an issue; if the project scope increases, the single individual may not be able to handle the additional workload. Finally, depending on the nature of the work, there might be an increased risk of misclassification if the individual is effectively functioning as a government employee rather than an independent contractor.

What is the historical spending pattern for similar biological science technician services by the Department of the Interior or USGS?

Historical spending data for similar biological science technician services by the Department of the Interior (DOI) and specifically the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) would likely show a consistent need for such support across various research programs. The USGS, in particular, relies heavily on technical staff for its environmental, geological, and biological research. Spending patterns would typically reflect the agency's research priorities, funding levels, and the geographic distribution of its field operations. Contracts could range from individual support roles like this one to larger service contracts with research institutions or private firms. Analyzing past solicitations and awards for NAICS code 541990 or related scientific support codes within DOI/USGS would reveal trends in contract values, durations, and competition levels.

What does the limited competition under SAP imply for the overall effectiveness and cost-efficiency of this acquisition?

The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this contract implies that the acquisition was valued below the threshold requiring full and open competition (typically $250,000, though thresholds can vary). While SAP allows for faster procurement, it inherently limits the pool of potential bidders. Receiving three bids suggests some level of outreach, but it's unlikely to be as extensive as a full and open solicitation. This limited competition could mean that the government did not receive the most advantageous pricing possible, as the pressure on bidders to offer their lowest rates is reduced. The cost-efficiency might be considered fair, but there's a strong possibility that a broader competition could have yielded better value 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: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 7340 GRANBURY CIR, SAINT LOUIS, MO, 63123

Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $225,000

Exercised Options: $225,000

Current Obligation: $41,978

Actual Outlays: $14,754

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline