DOI's USGS Awards $13.7M BPA Call for Lab Analyses to University of Arizona
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $13,730 ($13.7K)
Contractor: University of Arizona
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2027-03-30
Contract Duration: 363 days
Daily Burn Rate: $38/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: BPA-C #18 - LAB ANALYSES FOR DETRITAL ZIRCON U/PB, HF, AND T/REE
Place of Performance
Location: TUCSON, PIMA County, ARIZONA, 85719
State: Arizona Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $13,730 to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA for work described as: BPA-C #18 - LAB ANALYSES FOR DETRITAL ZIRCON U/PB, HF, AND T/REE Key points: 1. The contract focuses on specialized lab analyses for detrital zircon U/Pb, HF, and T/REE. 2. Competition was conducted under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 3. The award to a single university raises questions about potential limitations in broader market engagement. 4. The sector is scientific research and testing services, crucial for geological surveys and resource management.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award value of $13.7M over approximately one year is substantial for specialized lab services. Benchmarking against similar, highly specialized geological analysis contracts is difficult without more granular data on the specific tests and sample volumes.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' and awarded as a 'BPA CALL'. While some competition likely occurred within the SAP framework, the limited scope and potential for a single awardee suggest it may not have been a full and open competition, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential scientific research. The efficiency of the procurement process under SAP and the final price will determine the overall value for taxpayers.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific research for the U.S. Geological Survey. Provides specialized laboratory services essential for geological mapping and resource assessment. The contract duration of approximately one year with a potential for future calls under the BPA offers flexibility for ongoing research needs.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP
- Potential for single-award BPA calls
- Specialized service may limit contractor pool
Positive Signals
- Supports critical USGS mission
- Firm Fixed Price contract type
- Clear end date for the BPA call
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the scientific testing and laboratory services sector, specifically supporting geological research. Spending benchmarks in this niche area are hard to establish due to the specialized nature of the analyses required.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). The award to a university suggests a focus on academic institutions or research organizations rather than traditional small business contractors in this specific instance.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be managed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior. The BPA structure allows for task-specific oversight as calls are issued.
Related Government Programs
- Testing Laboratories and Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition under SAP
- Potential for sole-source follow-on calls
- High cost for specialized, potentially niche services
- University as contractor may not be typical for broad service provision
Tags
testing-laboratories-and-services, department-of-the-interior, az, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $13,730 to UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA. BPA-C #18 - LAB ANALYSES FOR DETRITAL ZIRCON U/PB, HF, AND T/REE
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA.
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 $13,730.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-30.
What is the total potential value of the BPA, and how does this specific call compare to other similar analytical service contracts awarded by the USGS?
The provided data only specifies the value of this particular BPA Call ($13.7M). The total potential value of the overarching BPA is not detailed. Benchmarking against other USGS analytical service contracts would require access to a broader dataset of their procurements, focusing on contracts with similar scope and complexity for isotopic and elemental analysis.
Given the specialized nature of the analyses, what steps were taken to ensure adequate competition and prevent potential price inflation?
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which implies some level of competition, though potentially limited. The 'BPA CALL' designation suggests this is one of potentially multiple calls under a larger BPA. Further details on the solicitation process and the number of bids received would be needed to fully assess the effectiveness of price discovery and competition.
How will the effectiveness of the University of Arizona's laboratory services be measured to ensure the quality and reliability of the scientific data produced?
Effectiveness is typically measured through performance metrics outlined in the contract, such as adherence to deadlines, quality control procedures, and the accuracy of results. The USGS will likely monitor deliverables and may conduct periodic reviews of the laboratory's performance against established scientific standards and contractual requirements.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and 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: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Arizona Board of Regents
Address: 888 N EUCLID AVE RM 510, TUCSON, AZ, 85719
Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, Higher Education (Minority Serving), U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $13,730
Exercised Options: $13,730
Current Obligation: $13,730
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140G0121A0003
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2027-03-30
Potential End Date: 2027-03-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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