Interior awards $134K contract for phytoplankton sample identification to BSA Environmental Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $134,676 ($134.7K)

Contractor: BSA Environmental Services Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-07-23

End Date: 2026-09-29

Contract Duration: 798 days

Daily Burn Rate: $169/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PHYTOPLANKTON SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION

Place of Performance

Location: BEACHWOOD, CUYAHOGA County, OHIO, 44122

State: Ohio Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $134,676 to BSA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC for work described as: PHYTOPLANKTON SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized laboratory services, indicating a need for expert analysis. 2. The contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of work. 3. Competition dynamics for this contract are not detailed, but the award type is a purchase order. 4. Performance period spans over two years, allowing for sustained service delivery. 5. The contractor, BSA Environmental Services Inc., is positioned to deliver specific scientific testing. 6. Geographic location of service is noted as Ohio, potentially indicating regional focus.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $134,676 for phytoplankton sample identification over approximately two years appears reasonable for specialized laboratory services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for environmental testing and sample analysis is difficult without more specific details on the scope and volume of samples. However, the fixed-price nature of the purchase order suggests that the government has a clear understanding of the expected costs for the defined services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less extensive competition process than full and open competition. While the exact number of bidders is not specified, SAP awards are generally made to a limited number of pre-qualified or solicited vendors. This approach is often used for smaller dollar value procurements where full competition may not be cost-effective.

Taxpayer Impact: Using simplified acquisition procedures can lead to faster award times but may result in less competitive pricing compared to full and open competition, potentially costing taxpayers more if a wider pool of vendors was not considered.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) benefits from this contract by obtaining essential data for its scientific research. Phytoplankton sample identification services are delivered, contributing to environmental monitoring and ecological studies. The geographic impact is focused on Ohio, where the services are likely to be performed or samples collected. This contract supports specialized scientific expertise within the environmental services sector.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP may not yield the best possible pricing for taxpayers.
Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's track record on this specific award.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a specific company, BSA Environmental Services Inc., indicating a known entity for this type of work.
Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
The contract duration allows for consistent service delivery over a defined period.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the scientific and technical services sector, specifically environmental testing and analysis. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380, 'Testing Laboratories and Services,' encompasses this type of work. Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements, research initiatives, and environmental monitoring needs across various government agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the specific type and volume of samples analyzed, but this contract's value is modest within the broader context of environmental consulting and testing services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). As a purchase order under simplified acquisition procedures, it is possible that small businesses were solicited, but this is not explicitly stated. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal given the contract's size and the lack of a specific set-aside.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically be managed by the U.S. Geological Survey contracting officer and program officials. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is facilitated by contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance reports are not publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Services
Water Quality Testing
Ecological Research Support
Scientific Laboratory Services

Risk Flags

Limited competition potential
Scope definition clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $134,676 to BSA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC. PHYTOPLANKTON SAMPLE IDENTIFICATION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BSA ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES 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 $134,676.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-23. End: 2026-09-29.

What is the specific scientific purpose of identifying phytoplankton samples under this contract?

The specific scientific purpose of identifying phytoplankton samples under this contract is likely related to the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) broader mission of monitoring the health and dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. Phytoplankton are primary producers and their abundance, diversity, and species composition can serve as key indicators of water quality, nutrient levels, and the overall ecological status of lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Changes in phytoplankton populations can signal issues such as eutrophication, harmful algal blooms (HABs), or the impact of climate change. The data generated from this contract would support USGS research into water resource management, environmental change, and the biological integrity of freshwater and marine environments.

How does the $134,676 contract value compare to typical USGS spending on similar environmental testing services?

The contract value of $134,676 for phytoplankton sample identification is relatively modest when compared to the overall spending of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on environmental testing and laboratory services. The USGS manages numerous large-scale research projects and monitoring programs that often involve significant investments in analytical services. While this specific contract is for a specialized task, it represents a small fraction of the agency's annual budget for scientific support. Benchmarking requires detailed comparison of scope, sample volume, and analytical complexity, but this award is indicative of a focused, task-specific requirement rather than a broad, long-term environmental assessment contract.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Contracts competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) carry certain potential risks, primarily related to the level of competition and price discovery. SAP is designed for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000), allowing for less formal solicitation and evaluation processes. This can lead to a reduced number of offers received compared to full and open competition, potentially resulting in higher prices than could be achieved through broader market engagement. There's also a risk that innovative solutions or more cost-effective providers might be overlooked if the solicitation is not widely disseminated. Furthermore, the administrative burden for oversight might be less rigorous, although still present, increasing the potential for performance issues if not managed diligently.

What is BSA Environmental Services Inc.'s track record with the federal government, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

Information regarding BSA Environmental Services Inc.'s specific track record with the federal government, and particularly the Department of the Interior, is not detailed in the provided data snippet. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing federal procurement databases (like FPDS) for past awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any history of disputes or issues. Without this historical data, it's difficult to gauge their experience level, past performance quality, and reliability in fulfilling similar contracts. The award of this purchase order suggests they are a known or qualified vendor within the relevant procurement channels.

How might the fixed-price nature of this contract impact the quality or scope of services delivered?

The fixed-price nature of this contract provides cost certainty for the government, as the contractor agrees to perform the specified work for a set amount. This can incentivize the contractor to work efficiently to maximize profit. However, it can also introduce risks. If the scope of work is not precisely defined, the contractor may be tempted to cut corners or limit the depth of analysis to stay within budget, potentially impacting the quality or completeness of the phytoplankton identification. Conversely, if the scope is underestimated by the contractor, they may incur losses, potentially leading to requests for modification or reduced effort. Clear and detailed performance work statements are crucial to mitigate these risks and ensure the desired quality and scope are achieved.

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

Solicitation ID: 140G0224Q0112

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 23400 MERCANTILE RD, BEACHWOOD, OH, 44122

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $406,376

Exercised Options: $134,676

Current Obligation: $134,676

Actual Outlays: $106,774

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline