DOI Awards $75K for Radiochemistry Testing to Pace Analytical Services, LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $75,000 ($75.0K)
Contractor: Pace Analytical Services, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2027-04-01
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $206/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: RADIOCHEMISTRY ANALYTICAL TESTING
Place of Performance
Location: SAINT PAUL, RAMSEY County, MINNESOTA, 55113
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $75,000 to PACE ANALYTICAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: RADIOCHEMISTRY ANALYTICAL TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential radiochemistry analytical testing. 2. Pace Analytical Services, LLC secured the contract. 3. The Department of the Interior, specifically the U.S. Geological Survey, is the awarding agency. 4. The contract duration is one year, ending April 1, 2027.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $75,000 for a one-year period appears reasonable for specialized radiochemistry testing services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for laboratory services of this nature would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and potentially better pricing for the government.
Taxpayer Impact: The relatively small contract value of $75,000 indicates a minimal direct impact on taxpayers, though the services are crucial for agency operations.
Public Impact
Ensures critical environmental and scientific data integrity through specialized testing. Supports the U.S. Geological Survey's mission in geological and hydrological research. Provides necessary analytical capabilities for regulatory compliance and public safety.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited contract value may not attract the most advanced or specialized providers.
- Potential for price increases in future contract renewals if competition diminishes.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Services are essential for scientific research and environmental monitoring.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically laboratory testing. Spending benchmarks for analytical services vary widely based on specialization and volume, but $75,000 for a year of radiochemistry testing is a modest amount.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this specific award. Future analysis could explore opportunities for small business participation in similar testing contracts.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is managed by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey. Standard procurement oversight processes would apply to ensure performance and adherence to contract terms.
Related Government Programs
- Testing Laboratories and Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited contract value.
- Single vendor award.
- Potential for price escalation in future.
- Lack of detailed scope of work.
Tags
testing-laboratories-and-services, department-of-the-interior, mn, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $75,000 to PACE ANALYTICAL SERVICES, LLC. RADIOCHEMISTRY ANALYTICAL TESTING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PACE ANALYTICAL SERVICES, 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 $75,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2027-04-01.
What is the specific scope of 'radiochemistry analytical testing' required by the USGS, and how does this impact the cost-effectiveness of the award?
The specific scope of radiochemistry analytical testing is not detailed in the provided data. This could range from routine water quality analysis to complex isotopic measurements. A more detailed scope would allow for a better assessment of whether the $75,000 award is cost-effective for the required services and if it aligns with industry standards for similar specialized laboratory analyses.
Given the full and open competition, what was the range of bids received, and how does Pace Analytical's price compare to the government estimate?
The provided data does not include the range of bids received or the government's estimate for this contract. Knowing this information would be crucial to fully assess the effectiveness of the competition and whether the government secured the best possible price. Without it, we can only infer that the process was competitive.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for a critical service like radiochemistry testing, even with a one-year contract?
Even with a one-year contract, relying on a single vendor for critical radiochemistry testing carries risks such as potential service disruptions due to vendor issues (e.g., equipment failure, staffing shortages), limited leverage for price negotiation in future renewals, and a lack of exposure to potentially more innovative or cost-effective solutions from other providers. This could impact the continuity and efficiency of the USGS's scientific operations.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 140G0226F0123
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Alpha Analytical, Inc.
Address: 2665 LONG LAKE RD STE 300, SAINT PAUL, MN, 55113
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $75,000
Exercised Options: $75,000
Current Obligation: $75,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140G0226D0001
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2027-04-01
Potential End Date: 2027-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
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