Interior's USGS awards $49.7M contract for veterinary services, with a 729-day duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $49,685 ($49.7K)

Contractor: Amber Marie Holst

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-06-01

End Date: 2027-05-31

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $68/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SSC FOR AMBER HOLST

Place of Performance

Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53711

State: Wisconsin Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $49,684.56 to AMBER MARIE HOLST for work described as: SSC FOR AMBER HOLST Key points: 1. Contract awarded via a competitive process under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 2. The contract is for veterinary services, indicating a need for specialized animal care. 3. The duration of 729 days suggests a medium-term requirement for these services. 4. The awardee, Amber Marie Holst, is a single entity, raising questions about the breadth of competition. 5. The contract type is a Purchase Order, typically used for smaller value procurements. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541940 points to veterinary services. 7. The contract is set to begin on June 1, 2025, and end on May 31, 2027.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more specific details on the scope of veterinary services required. The total award amount of $49.7 million over approximately two years suggests a significant operational need. However, without comparable contracts for similar specialized veterinary services within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) or other agencies, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents excellent value for money. The pricing structure, particularly if based on labor hours, would need detailed scrutiny to ensure it aligns with market rates for veterinary professionals and associated services.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically allows for a broader range of competition than sole-source awards but may not reach the full and open competition level for larger contracts. The data indicates it was a 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' award, suggesting that multiple offers were solicited and considered, but the specific number of bidders is not provided. This level of competition is generally adequate for procurements within the SAP threshold, aiming to achieve fair and reasonable pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP generally provides a reasonable level of price discovery for taxpayers, balancing the need for efficient procurement with ensuring multiple vendors have an opportunity to bid.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) will benefit from specialized veterinary services, likely supporting research, wildlife management, or animal care related to its scientific missions. The services delivered will directly support the operational and scientific objectives of the USGS, ensuring the health and welfare of animals involved in their studies or managed by the agency. The geographic impact is primarily linked to the locations where the USGS conducts its operations and requires veterinary support, potentially spanning various regions within Wisconsin (indicated by 'ST': 'WI'). Workforce implications may include the need for specialized veterinary personnel, technicians, and support staff, either directly employed by the contractor or indirectly supported by the contract.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition details provided for a contract of this value.
Lack of specific performance metrics makes it difficult to assess effectiveness.
Potential for cost overruns if labor hour rates are not tightly managed.

Positive Signals

Awarded through a competitive process, indicating some level of market vetting.
Clear start and end dates provide a defined period for service delivery.
The contract addresses a specialized need within the USGS's mission.

Sector Analysis

The veterinary services sector is a critical component of the broader healthcare and scientific research industries. Contracts like this, supporting government agencies, often involve specialized animal care, research support, or public health initiatives. The market size for veterinary services is substantial, encompassing clinical practice, research, and public sector support. This contract fits within the government's need for specialized scientific and operational support, ensuring the well-being of animals used in research or managed for conservation purposes. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found in contracts awarded to other federal agencies requiring similar animal health and research support services.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-aside provisions for this contract. As it was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), there may have been opportunities for small businesses to participate, but without explicit set-aside information, their inclusion is not guaranteed. The impact on the small business ecosystem would depend on whether small businesses were solicited or awarded subcontracts, which is not detailed here.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be defined within the contract's statement of work and performance standards. Transparency is facilitated through contract award databases, though detailed performance reporting may be internal. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior would have jurisdiction for audits and investigations if any concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Federal Research and Development Contracts
Government Scientific Support Services
Animal Health and Welfare Programs
Department of the Interior Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition details
Potential for scope creep in labor-hour contracts
Lack of specific performance metrics in summary data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $49,684.56 to AMBER MARIE HOLST. SSC FOR AMBER HOLST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AMBER MARIE HOLST.

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 $49,684.56.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-06-01. End: 2027-05-31.

What is the specific nature of the veterinary services required by the USGS under this contract?

The specific nature of the veterinary services required by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) under this contract is not detailed in the provided data. However, given the agency's mission, these services likely pertain to the health and welfare of animals involved in scientific research, wildlife monitoring, or conservation efforts. This could include diagnostic services, treatment, preventative care, surgical procedures, laboratory analysis, and potentially specialized care for various species relevant to USGS studies. The contract's duration of 729 days and award value of $49.7 million suggest a comprehensive and ongoing need for these specialized services, potentially supporting multiple research projects or field operations across different locations.

How does the $49.7 million award compare to typical spending on veterinary services by federal agencies?

Comparing the $49.7 million award to typical federal spending on veterinary services requires context regarding the scope and duration. For a contract spanning approximately two years, this amount suggests a significant requirement, potentially encompassing a broad range of services or supporting a large number of animals or research programs. Federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services (e.g., NIH), Department of Agriculture (e.g., APHIS), and Department of Defense also procure veterinary services, often for research, animal care in facilities, or disease control. Without specific details on the services rendered and the number of animals supported, a direct comparison is difficult. However, this award appears to be substantial, indicating a critical need within the USGS.

What are the primary risks associated with a contract of this nature and duration?

Primary risks associated with a contract of this nature and duration include potential cost overruns if labor hour rates are not carefully managed or if the scope of work expands beyond initial projections. There's also a risk related to contractor performance; ensuring the quality and timeliness of specialized veterinary services is crucial. Changes in agency needs or research priorities could necessitate contract modifications, potentially impacting cost and schedule. Furthermore, reliance on a single awardee, even if competed under SAP, could pose a risk if that contractor faces operational challenges or fails to meet performance standards. Ensuring continuity of care and expertise throughout the contract period is also a consideration.

What does the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation imply about the competition and potential value for taxpayers?

The 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation implies that the contract was awarded through a competitive process, but specifically within the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) framework. SAP is designed for procurements below a certain dollar threshold (currently $250,000, but agencies can establish higher thresholds for certain types of procurements, and this contract is significantly above that). This means that while competition was sought, it might not have involved the full breadth of advertising and proposal evaluation required for larger, full-and-open competitions. For taxpayers, this generally means a reasonable effort was made to obtain competitive pricing, but the level of price discovery might be less robust than in larger competitions. The value for taxpayers depends on how effectively the solicitation process under SAP identified the best value among qualified offerors.

Are there any indications of past performance issues or successes for the awardee, Amber Marie Holst?

The provided data does not contain any information regarding the past performance of the awardee, Amber Marie Holst. To assess potential risks or successes, a review of past performance records, contract histories, and any available performance evaluations would be necessary. This would typically involve checking government databases like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) or similar internal agency records. Without this information, it is impossible to determine if the awardee has a track record of successful contract execution or any history of performance issues that might impact this current contract.

How does this contract align with the broader scientific mission of the U.S. Geological Survey?

This contract directly aligns with the broader scientific mission of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) by providing essential support for its research and operational activities that involve animals. The USGS conducts scientific investigations across a wide range of disciplines, including biology, geology, and environmental science. Many of these investigations require the study, care, and monitoring of animal populations, both in laboratory settings and in the wild. Ensuring the health and welfare of these animals through professional veterinary services is critical for the integrity and success of the scientific data collected, the ethical treatment of research subjects, and the overall advancement of the USGS's understanding of natural systems and resources.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Veterinary Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140G0225P0039

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5357 VALLEY WELLS WAY, LAS VEGAS, NV, 89113

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,685

Exercised Options: $49,685

Current Obligation: $49,685

Actual Outlays: $31,974

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline