Interior awards $24.4M professional services contract to Heather Dawn Brown for 5 years

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,384 ($24.4K)

Contractor: Heather Dawn Brown

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-04

End Date: 2028-04-12

Contract Duration: 739 days

Daily Burn Rate: $33/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW SSC HEATHER DAWN BROWN

Place of Performance

Location: LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE County, LOUISIANA, 70506

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $24,384.36 to HEATHER DAWN BROWN for work described as: NEW SSC HEATHER DAWN BROWN Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition. 2. Duration of contract extends over two fiscal years, indicating a long-term need. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers a broad range of services. 5. Contract type is a Purchase Order, typically used for straightforward acquisitions. 6. The contract is for professional, scientific, and technical services.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $24.4 million over approximately five years suggests an average annual spend of nearly $5 million. Without specific deliverables or performance metrics, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The award to a single entity under SAP may indicate a price that is not fully optimized through robust competition. Further analysis would require understanding the specific services rendered and comparing them to industry standards for similar professional, scientific, and technical support.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for less formal competition than full and open procedures. The data indicates two bids were received. While competition occurred, the limited number of bidders and the use of SAP suggest that the full spectrum of potential offerors may not have been engaged, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing achievable through a broader solicitation process.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior is the primary beneficiary of these services. The contract is expected to deliver professional, scientific, and technical services, though specific details are not provided. The contract is geographically focused on Louisiana, as indicated by the state code 'LA'. The impact on the workforce is not detailed but likely involves specialized professional roles.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it hard to assess contractor performance.
Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing for taxpayers.
The broad NAICS code suggests a wide range of potential services, making oversight challenging without clear SOW.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded to a known entity (Heather Dawn Brown).
Contract duration provides stability for service delivery.
Awarded by a reputable agency (Department of the Interior).

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under the broad category of professional, scientific, and technical services, classified under NAICS code 541990. This sector is diverse, encompassing a wide array of specialized expertise. Spending in this area by federal agencies is substantial, supporting various mission-critical functions. Benchmarking requires detailed understanding of the specific services provided, as 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is a catch-all category.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the award was made under SAP and to a single entity, it is unclear what opportunities, if any, were extended to small businesses beyond the prime contractor. Further investigation into the solicitation details would be needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of the Interior's contracting and program management offices. As a Purchase Order awarded under SAP, the level of formal oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is limited by the available data; specific performance reports or audits are not detailed here. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Professional Services Contracts
Scientific and Technical Services
Department of the Interior Contracts
U.S. Geological Survey Contracts
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Awards

Risk Flags

Limited Competition
Broad NAICS Code
Lack of Specific Deliverables
Multi-Year Award under SAP

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $24,384.36 to HEATHER DAWN BROWN. NEW SSC HEATHER DAWN BROWN

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is HEATHER DAWN BROWN.

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 $24,384.36.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-04. End: 2028-04-12.

What specific professional, scientific, and technical services are being procured under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract falls under NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.' This is a broad category that can include a wide range of activities such as research and development, consulting, testing, and technical support. Without access to the specific Statement of Work (SOW) or contract line item numbers (CLINs), the precise nature of the services rendered by Heather Dawn Brown remains unspecified. This lack of detail hinders a thorough assessment of the contract's purpose, necessity, and value.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar professional services contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior or other federal agencies?

Benchmarking the pricing for this $24.4 million contract is challenging without knowing the specific services provided. The contract was awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) with two bids received. Generally, SAP awards may not achieve the same level of price competition as larger, full-and-open solicitations. To compare pricing effectively, one would need to identify comparable contracts for similar services, considering factors like labor categories, hours, geographic location, and contract duration. A preliminary assessment suggests the pricing is fair given the limited competition, but a definitive conclusion requires more granular data on the services and market rates.

What is the track record of Heather Dawn Brown as a federal contractor, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

The provided data identifies Heather Dawn Brown as the contractor awarded this $24.4 million contract. To assess their track record, a review of past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations would be necessary. Without this historical data, it is difficult to gauge their reliability, past performance quality, and experience in delivering professional, scientific, and technical services. Their ability to successfully execute this current contract remains an open question pending further investigation.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a multi-year contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures?

Awarding a multi-year contract, like this five-year agreement valued at $24.4 million, under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) carries certain risks. SAP is designed for smaller procurements, and while it allows for some competition, it may not attract the same breadth of bidders as larger, more formal processes. This can potentially lead to less competitive pricing. Furthermore, the flexibility of SAP might mean less stringent documentation and oversight requirements compared to larger contracts, potentially increasing risks related to performance monitoring, scope creep, and ensuring best value for taxpayer dollars over the contract's extended duration.

How does the geographic focus on Louisiana impact the service delivery and cost-effectiveness of this contract?

The contract specifies 'LOUISIANA' as the location ('SN': 'LOUISIANA', 'ST': 'LA'). This geographic focus suggests the services are intended to be performed within or directly related to operations in Louisiana. This could potentially reduce travel costs and improve responsiveness if the services are site-specific. However, it also limits the pool of potential contractors who can efficiently serve that location. The cost-effectiveness will depend on whether local labor rates and market conditions in Louisiana are competitive for the required professional, scientific, and technical services compared to national averages or other regions.

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: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 100 LINDEN DR, LAFAYETTE, LA, 70506

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $225,000

Exercised Options: $225,000

Current Obligation: $24,384

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline