USGS Awards $533K for Biology Technician Services to Akima Systems Engineering LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $53,338 ($53.3K)
Contractor: Akima Systems Engineering LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-07
End Date: 2026-12-31
Contract Duration: 268 days
Daily Burn Rate: $199/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BIOLOGY TECHNICIAN III SERVICES AT USGS, NWHC, MADISON WI. SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES IDIQ CONTRACT MID-CONTINENT
Place of Performance
Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53711
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $53,337.6 to AKIMA SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LLC for work described as: BIOLOGY TECHNICIAN III SERVICES AT USGS, NWHC, MADISON WI. SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES IDIQ CONTRACT MID-CONTINENT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential biology technician services at USGS NWHC. 2. Akima Systems Engineering LLC, the incumbent, secured the award. 3. The contract is a Delivery Order under an existing IDIQ. 4. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $533,377.60 for 268 days of service appears reasonable given the specialized nature of biology technician support. Benchmarking against similar scientific support contracts would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a competitive process for awards under the federal micro-purchase threshold. This method generally promotes price discovery and fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The use of a competitive SAP process suggests efficient use of taxpayer funds for this specialized scientific support.
Public Impact
Ensures continued scientific research and monitoring at USGS facilities. Supports critical biological data collection and analysis. Maintains operational capacity for wildlife health studies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Competitive award under SAP
- Clear scope of work for scientific support
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' NAICS code. Spending in this sector is broad, encompassing various specialized scientific and technical support functions essential for government research and operations.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business (ss: false, sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business set-asides were considered or if the prime contractor is a large business.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is a Delivery Order under an existing IDIQ, suggesting a degree of pre-competed oversight. However, ongoing monitoring of performance and adherence to the fixed-price terms is crucial for accountability.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential over-reliance on incumbent contractor
- Limited visibility into specific labor rates
- Need for ongoing performance monitoring
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-the-interior, wi, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $53,337.6 to AKIMA SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LLC. BIOLOGY TECHNICIAN III SERVICES AT USGS, NWHC, MADISON WI. SCIENCE AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT SERVICES IDIQ CONTRACT MID-CONTINENT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AKIMA SYSTEMS ENGINEERING LLC.
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 $53,337.6.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-07. End: 2026-12-31.
What is the historical performance of Akima Systems Engineering LLC on similar USGS contracts?
Historical performance data for Akima Systems Engineering LLC on similar USGS contracts would provide valuable insight into their reliability and quality of service. Reviewing past performance evaluations, contract modifications, and any disputes would help assess their track record and inform future sourcing decisions. This information is crucial for ensuring continued effective support and mitigating potential risks associated with incumbent contractors.
How does the per-unit cost of these biology technician services compare to industry benchmarks?
Establishing a per-unit cost benchmark for biology technician services is challenging due to the highly specialized nature of the work and varying skill requirements. While the total award is $533,377.60 for 268 days, breaking this down into meaningful per-unit costs (e.g., per hour, per technician, per specific task) requires detailed labor category and rate information. A comparison against similar scientific support contracts, adjusted for location and specific duties, would be the most effective approach.
What is the potential impact of this contract on USGS's ability to conduct critical wildlife health research?
This contract is vital for ensuring the USGS National Wildlife Health Center (NWHC) has the necessary scientific and technical support to conduct its critical wildlife health research. The biology technicians provide essential hands-on services, data collection, and laboratory support that directly contribute to the agency's mission. Continued, reliable support from Akima Systems Engineering LLC is therefore crucial for maintaining research momentum and achieving scientific objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Nana Regional Corporation, Inc.
Address: 2553 DULLES VIEW DR # 700, HERNDON, VA, 20171
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $53,338
Exercised Options: $53,338
Current Obligation: $53,338
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140G0221D0004
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-07
Current End Date: 2026-12-31
Potential End Date: 2026-12-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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