Interior's Bureau of Reclamation Awards $2M for CALSIM 3 Development Support
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,000,000 ($2.0M)
Contractor: Stantec Consulting Services Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-04-23
End Date: 2026-07-31
Contract Duration: 829 days
Daily Burn Rate: $2.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: THIS PROCUREMENT IS FOR CALSIM 3 DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT.
Place of Performance
Location: SACRAMENTO, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95814
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $2.0 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC. for work described as: THIS PROCUREMENT IS FOR CALSIM 3 DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for $2M. 2. Procurement falls under Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (NAICS 541690). 3. Competition method was 'Competed under SAP', indicating a potentially limited but competitive process. 4. The contract duration is 829 labor hours, ending July 31, 2026.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2M for 829 labor hours suggests a significant hourly rate. Benchmarking against similar technical consulting services is needed to assess if this rate is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'Competed under SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves smaller procurements. While competed, the scope and value may limit the pool of potential offerors, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The $2M expenditure supports critical development for CALSIM 3, a tool likely used for water resource management, implying a necessary investment for agency operations.
Public Impact
Supports the development of CALSIM 3, a crucial water resource planning model. Contracting through SAP may limit broad market participation. The duration extends over two fiscal years, impacting budget planning. Focus on technical consulting services highlights the need for specialized expertise.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for higher-than-market labor rates due to SAP.
- Limited competition may not yield the best value.
- Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Positive Signals
- Supports a critical agency modeling tool.
- Procurement was competed, not sole-source.
- Clear contract end date provides predictability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector. Spending in this area often supports complex modeling, analysis, and research for government agencies. Benchmarks for similar technical consulting services can vary widely based on specialization and project complexity.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses had a fair opportunity to compete under SAP.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the Bureau of Reclamation, a sub-agency of the Department of the Interior. Oversight would typically involve contract officers and program managers ensuring deliverables meet requirements and budget adherence.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- High implied hourly rate.
- Potential for limited competition under SAP.
- Lack of detailed performance metrics.
- Contract duration spans multiple fiscal years.
- No small business set-aside identified.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-the-interior, ca, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $2.0 million to STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC.. THIS PROCUREMENT IS FOR CALSIM 3 DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is STANTEC CONSULTING SERVICES INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-23. End: 2026-07-31.
What is the specific hourly rate being paid to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. and how does it compare to industry benchmarks for similar expertise?
The provided data does not explicitly state the hourly rate. However, with a total value of $2,000,000 and 829 labor hours, the implied average hourly rate is approximately $2,412.67. This rate appears exceptionally high compared to typical consulting rates, even for specialized technical services. A detailed breakdown of labor categories and their respective rates is necessary for a proper benchmark comparison.
What are the specific risks associated with using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for a contract of this value and duration?
Using SAP for a $2M contract over nearly two years carries risks of potentially limiting the number of qualified bidders, thereby reducing competition and potentially leading to suboptimal pricing. It may also increase the risk of not identifying the most innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the broader market. Ensuring adequate market research was conducted prior to using SAP is crucial.
How will the successful development support of CALSIM 3 by Stantec Consulting Services Inc. be measured and what is its expected impact on the Bureau of Reclamation's mission?
The effectiveness will be measured by the successful completion of development tasks outlined in the contract statement of work, likely including specific deliverables, model functionality, and performance testing. The impact on the Bureau of Reclamation's mission relates to enhancing its capability for water resource planning, management, and forecasting, ultimately supporting informed decision-making for California's water resources.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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: 140R2024Q0010
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Parent Company: Stantec Consulting Michigan Inc.
Address: 410 17TH ST STE 1400, DENVER, CO, 80202
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,000,000
Exercised Options: $2,000,000
Current Obligation: $2,000,000
Actual Outlays: $1,443,763
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 1
Total Subaward Amount: $50,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-23
Current End Date: 2026-07-31
Potential End Date: 2026-07-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-19
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