USDA Awards $944K for Biosafety Training to Clark Nexsen Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $9,444,466 ($9.4M)

Contractor: Clark Nexsen Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-09-08

End Date: 2026-09-07

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $25.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIOSAFETY, SELECT AGENT, TRAINING, AND CONTAINMENT OPERATIONS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

Place of Performance

Location: MANHATTAN, RILEY County, KANSAS, 66502

State: Kansas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $9.4 million to CLARK NEXSEN INC for work described as: BIOSAFETY, SELECT AGENT, TRAINING, AND CONTAINMENT OPERATIONS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS Key points: 1. Contract value of $944,446 for biosafety training and containment operations. 2. Competition method was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk appears moderate given the specialized nature of biosafety training. 4. Sector is primarily engineering services supporting agricultural research.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $944,446 for a 1-year period seems reasonable for specialized biosafety training. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for highly specialized training programs is difficult without more granular data.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The use of full and open competition aims to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently by securing competitive pricing for essential biosafety training services.

Public Impact

Ensures critical biosafety protocols are maintained within agricultural research facilities. Supports the safe handling and containment of biological agents. Contributes to the overall security and integrity of agricultural research programs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in training requirements.
Reliance on a single firm for critical training could pose continuity risks.
Ensuring consistent quality across all training modules.

Positive Signals

Clear contract duration and delivery order structure.
Awarded under full and open competition.
Focus on essential biosafety and containment operations.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector, specifically supporting the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. Spending benchmarks for specialized biosafety training are not readily available, but the value appears aligned with the critical nature of the services.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was awarded to Clark Nexsen Inc. and does not specify any set-asides for small businesses. Further investigation would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

The contract is managed by the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service. Oversight would involve monitoring the quality and effectiveness of the training programs delivered by Clark Nexsen Inc. to ensure compliance with biosafety regulations.

Related Government Programs

Engineering Services
Department of Agriculture Contracting
Agricultural Research Service Programs

Risk Flags

Specialized nature of training may limit future competition.
Potential for reliance on specific expertise held by the contractor.
Ensuring consistent application of training across diverse research settings.
Need for ongoing monitoring of evolving biosafety regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $9.4 million to CLARK NEXSEN INC. BIOSAFETY, SELECT AGENT, TRAINING, AND CONTAINMENT OPERATIONS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CLARK NEXSEN INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Agricultural Research Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $9.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-08. End: 2026-09-07.

What is the specific scope of the biosafety training and containment operations covered by this contract?

The contract focuses on "BIOSAFETY, SELECT AGENT, TRAINING, AND CONTAINMENT OPERATIONS AND TRAINING PROGRAMS." This implies comprehensive training on safe laboratory practices, handling of specific biological agents requiring enhanced security, and procedures for containing these agents to prevent accidental release or misuse. The exact curriculum and operational procedures would be detailed in the contract's statement of work.

What are the key risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Key risks include potential gaps in training effectiveness, ensuring the trainers possess up-to-date expertise, and the possibility of unforeseen containment breaches. Mitigation strategies likely involve rigorous performance standards, regular quality assurance checks by the Agricultural Research Service, and adherence to strict federal biosafety guidelines and protocols.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of the Agricultural Research Service's mission?

This contract is crucial for ensuring that personnel involved in agricultural research, particularly those working with potentially hazardous biological agents, are adequately trained. Effective training minimizes the risk of accidents, protects researchers and the public, and upholds the integrity and security of sensitive research, thereby directly supporting the agency's mission.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: 1232SA25Q0560

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4525 MAIN ST STE 1400, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, 23462

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,444,466

Exercised Options: $9,444,466

Current Obligation: $9,444,466

Actual Outlays: $1,514,339

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12639521D0050

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline