Interior Department Awards $208K for Biologist Services, Competed Under SAP
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $20,824 ($20.8K)
Contractor: Andreas C Noel
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-15
End Date: 2028-04-14
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $29/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 27
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: NEW SSC BIOLOGIST POSITION-WILDHABER
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBIA, BOONE County, MISSOURI, 65201
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $20,824 to ANDREAS C NOEL for work described as: NEW SSC BIOLOGIST POSITION-WILDHABER Key points: 1. Spending focuses on specialized scientific services for the U.S. Geological Survey. 2. Competition was limited under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), potentially impacting price discovery. 3. The contract duration is two years, with a total of 27 labor hours. 4. No small business set-aside was utilized for this procurement.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract's value of $208,240 for 27 labor hours suggests a high hourly rate. Benchmarking against similar professional, scientific, and technical services contracts is necessary to assess if this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: $7,712.74 per labor hour
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for less formal competition. While this can expedite the process, it may limit the number of potential bidders and the extent of price negotiation.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized biological expertise. The limited competition raises questions about whether the most cost-effective solution was secured.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific research and data collection by the U.S. Geological Survey. Ensures specialized biological expertise is available for environmental monitoring and conservation efforts. The specific nature of the biologist role suggests a need for niche skills not readily available.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP
- High per-unit labor hour cost
- Lack of small business participation
Positive Signals
- Procurement addresses a specific scientific need
- Clear contract end date
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional, scientific, and technical services, a broad category. Spending benchmarks for biologist positions can vary significantly based on specialization, experience, and geographic location. The high hourly rate warrants comparison to industry standards.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and no indication of small business participation is provided. This represents a missed opportunity to support small businesses in the scientific services sector.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would involve reviewing the justification for using SAP and ensuring the selected vendor meets all technical and performance requirements. The U.S. Geological Survey is responsible for the quality and impact of the services rendered.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- High per-unit cost
- Limited competition
- Lack of small business participation
- Potential for price not being the best value
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-the-interior, mo, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $20,824 to ANDREAS C NOEL. NEW SSC BIOLOGIST POSITION-WILDHABER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ANDREAS C NOEL.
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 $20,824.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2028-04-14.
What specific scientific expertise does the biologist position require, and how does this justify the high hourly rate?
The specific scientific expertise required for the SSC Biologist position is not detailed in the provided data. However, specialized roles within agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey often demand niche skills in areas such as ecology, wildlife management, or specific biological research methodologies. The high hourly rate may be justified by the rarity of these skills, the required advanced degrees or certifications, and the critical nature of the scientific work being performed.
What are the risks associated with competing this contract under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?
Competing under SAP, typically for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold, carries risks such as reduced competition, potentially leading to higher prices than if a broader solicitation were used. It may also limit the government's ability to thoroughly vet vendors or negotiate more favorable terms. The lack of transparency inherent in SAP can also make it harder to ensure the best value was obtained for taxpayer dollars.
How effective is this contract likely to be in meeting the U.S. Geological Survey's scientific objectives?
The effectiveness of this contract hinges on the qualifications of the awarded vendor and the clarity of the SOW. If the biologist possesses the precise, specialized skills needed for the 'WILDHABER' project and delivers high-quality scientific contributions, the contract will be effective. However, the limited competition and high hourly rate introduce a risk that the scientific objectives might be achieved at a suboptimal cost, impacting overall program efficiency.
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: 27
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 19 BRIARGATE CIR, SUGAR GROVE, IL, 60554
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $225,000
Exercised Options: $225,000
Current Obligation: $20,824
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-15
Current End Date: 2028-04-14
Potential End Date: 2028-04-14 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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