Interior's National Park Service Awards $9.1M for Water Testing Services in Minnesota
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $9,177 ($9.2K)
Contractor: County of Koochiching
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-05-01
End Date: 2027-04-30
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: OTH, VOYA- WATER TESTING
Place of Performance
Location: INTERNATIONAL FALLS, KOOCHICHING County, MINNESOTA, 56649
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $9,177 to COUNTY OF KOOCHICHING for work described as: OTH, VOYA- WATER TESTING Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Voya for water testing services. 2. Significant spending on essential environmental monitoring. 3. Limited competition raises questions about price discovery. 4. Potential for broader application of testing services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $9.1 million for a 729-day period suggests a substantial investment in water testing. Without specific per-unit data or comparison to similar contracts, assessing value is difficult, but the duration and scope imply a need for consistent, high-quality services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed, indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the most competitive pricing, as potential vendors were not given an opportunity to bid. The impact on price discovery is likely negative, potentially leading to higher costs than a fully competed contract.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may be paying a premium due to the lack of competitive bidding, as the government did not explore all available market options for potentially lower-cost solutions.
Public Impact
Ensures safe drinking water and environmental health within National Parks. Supports regulatory compliance for water quality standards. Provides critical data for ecological research and conservation efforts.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of full and open competition
- Potential for higher costs due to limited bidding
Positive Signals
- Essential service for public health and environment
- Long-term contract ensures continuity of service
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories. Spending benchmarks for such services can vary widely based on scope and complexity, but consistent environmental monitoring is a common government requirement.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement. Further analysis would be needed to determine the extent of small business participation and opportunities.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight of this contract will be crucial to ensure the quality and accuracy of the water testing services provided. The Department of the Interior and the National Park Service should monitor performance against contract requirements and verify that taxpayer funds are used efficiently.
Related Government Programs
- Testing Laboratories and Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- National Park Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may result in higher costs.
- Lack of transparency in the procurement process.
- Potential for missed cost savings due to non-competitive award.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure service quality.
Tags
testing-laboratories-and-services, department-of-the-interior, mn, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $9,177 to COUNTY OF KOOCHICHING. OTH, VOYA- WATER TESTING
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is COUNTY OF KOOCHICHING.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $9,177.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-05-01. End: 2027-04-30.
What specific water quality parameters are being tested, and how do these align with the National Park Service's environmental monitoring needs?
The specific water quality parameters are not detailed in the provided data. However, given the context of water testing for the National Park Service, it likely includes a range of analyses such as chemical composition, biological contaminants, physical properties (pH, temperature), and potentially heavy metals or pollutants relevant to park ecosystems and visitor safety. These parameters should directly support the agency's mandate for environmental stewardship and public health protection within park boundaries.
What is the justification for awarding this contract on a limited competition basis rather than through full and open competition?
The justification for limited competition is not provided. Typically, such a decision requires a documented rationale, such as the existence of only one or a very limited number of responsible sources, or a compelling urgency that precludes full competition. Without this justification, it raises concerns about whether the government explored all viable options to secure the best value and pricing for taxpayers.
How will the effectiveness of Voya's water testing services be measured and ensured throughout the contract period?
The effectiveness will likely be measured through adherence to established testing protocols, accuracy of results as verified by independent checks or audits, and timely delivery of reports. The National Park Service should have performance standards and metrics outlined in the contract. Regular reviews and quality assurance checks by the contracting officer's representative will be essential to ensure the services meet the required standards and contribute to the agency's environmental protection goals.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 140P6425P0016
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 715 4TH ST, INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN, 56649
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Local Government, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $9,177
Exercised Options: $9,177
Current Obligation: $9,177
Actual Outlays: $2,695
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-05-01
Current End Date: 2027-04-30
Potential End Date: 2030-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-02
Other Department of the Interior Contracts
- Department of Health and Human Services, Administration of Children and Families, Office of Refugee Resettlement's Legal Services for Unaccompanied Children — $832.4M (Acacia Center for Justice)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program Igf::ot::igf — $638.8M (MHN Government Services LLC)
- Military Family Life Counseling Program — $637.0M (Magellan Healthcare Inc)
- Grants Program Solutions and Information Technology Support Services — $446.3M (Guidehouse Digital LLC)
- THE Purpose of This Requirement for Grants Program Solutions and IT Support Services IS to Provide Efficient and Effective Grant, Financial, and Contract Management Services, IT Solutions, and Support to the Grantsolutions and ITS Partners — $403.1M (Guidehouse Inc.)