DOI-USGS awards $5.3M for EEO Investigations and Background Checks to S.J. Bashen, Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $5,300 ($5.3K)
Contractor: S.J. Bashen, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2026-10-06
Contract Duration: 187 days
Daily Burn Rate: $28/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: EEO INVESTIGATIONS #DOI-USGS-26-0080
Place of Performance
Location: HOUSTON, HARRIS County, TEXAS, 77056
State: Texas Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $5,300 to S.J. BASHEN, INC. for work described as: EEO INVESTIGATIONS #DOI-USGS-26-0080 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call under full and open competition. 2. Focus on investigation and personal background check services. 3. Contract duration is 187 days. 4. Awarded to S.J. Bashen, Inc. based in Texas.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $5.3M for a 187-day period suggests a significant per-investigation cost. Benchmarking against similar contracts for background checks and EEO investigations is needed to assess value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, utilizing a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call. This method generally promotes competitive pricing and allows for a broad range of potential offerors.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition is intended to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by fostering a competitive environment for service providers.
Public Impact
Ensures compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations. Supports the U.S. Geological Survey's personnel vetting processes. Provides critical services for maintaining a fair and secure workplace. Contract duration is relatively short, indicating a specific, time-bound need.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 28 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for high per-unit cost given the award amount and duration.
- Limited duration may indicate a need for follow-on contracts.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Utilizes an existing BPA, potentially streamlining the procurement process.
- Firm fixed price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
The 'Investigation and Personal Background Check Services' fall under professional services, often associated with administrative and support functions within government agencies. Benchmarks for similar services can vary widely based on scope and volume.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in the competition or subcontracting opportunities for this specific BPA Call.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically involve monitoring the contractor's performance against the Statement of Work and ensuring compliance with EEO investigation protocols. The BPA structure may have its own oversight mechanisms.
Related Government Programs
- Investigation and Personal Background Check Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- High total award amount for a short duration.
- Potential for high per-unit cost.
- Limited contract duration may necessitate future procurements.
- Lack of specific performance metrics provided.
- Need for detailed cost-benefit analysis.
Tags
investigation-and-personal-background-ch, department-of-the-interior, tx, bpa-call, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $5,300 to S.J. BASHEN, INC.. EEO INVESTIGATIONS #DOI-USGS-26-0080
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is S.J. BASHEN, INC..
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 $5,300.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2026-10-06.
What is the average cost per investigation or background check under this contract, and how does it compare to industry benchmarks?
Without a breakdown of the number of investigations or checks performed, the per-unit cost cannot be precisely calculated from the provided data. The total award of $5.3M over approximately six months suggests a substantial investment. A detailed cost-benefit analysis comparing this to similar government or private sector contracts would be necessary to determine if the pricing is competitive and represents good value for taxpayer funds.
What are the specific risks associated with the limited contract duration and the nature of EEO investigations?
The primary risk of a limited duration (187 days) is the potential for service disruption if a follow-on contract is not awarded promptly, impacting the USGS's operational continuity. For EEO investigations, risks include potential delays, incomplete investigations, or biased findings, which could lead to legal challenges or damage employee morale. Ensuring the contractor maintains high standards of impartiality and thoroughness is crucial.
How effective is the full and open competition strategy in ensuring the best value for these specialized investigation services?
Full and open competition is generally effective in driving down prices and encouraging innovation by allowing a wide pool of qualified vendors to bid. However, for highly specialized services like EEO investigations, the effectiveness also depends on the clarity of the solicitation, the evaluation criteria used, and the government's ability to accurately assess the technical capabilities and past performance of bidders. A well-executed competition should yield competitive pricing and high-quality service delivery.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Investigation and Security Services › Investigation and Personal Background Check Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 622 VOSS RD, HOUSTON, TX, 77024
Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $5,300
Exercised Options: $5,300
Current Obligation: $5,300
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140G0124A0001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2026-10-06
Potential End Date: 2026-10-06 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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