Forest Service awards $50K contract for environmental technician services to Unified Business Solutions LLC

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $50,182 ($50.2K)

Contractor: Unified Business Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2024-09-16

End Date: 2025-05-19

Contract Duration: 245 days

Daily Burn Rate: $205/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: CONTRACT 4854 UNIFIED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN, CONSERVATION OPTIONS SALT-IMPACTED LANDS.

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $50,181.84 to UNIFIED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: CONTRACT 4854 UNIFIED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN, CONSERVATION OPTIONS SALT-IMPACTED LANDS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized environmental technician services focusing on conservation options for salt-impacted lands. 2. The contract duration is 245 days, indicating a short-term need for these services. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value procurements. 4. The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 5. The contractor, Unified Business Solutions LLC, is a new awardee for this specific service category. 6. The geographic focus is North Carolina, aligning with the need for conservation in salt-impacted areas.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $50,181.84 appears reasonable for specialized environmental technician services over a 245-day period. Without specific benchmarks for 'conservation options for salt-impacted lands,' direct comparison is difficult. However, the use of SAP suggests the government sought competitive pricing for a relatively small-dollar award. The firm fixed-price structure helps manage cost risks for the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broad range of competition for acquisitions valued below the SAT. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP generally encourages multiple offers, leading to better price discovery and value for the government. This method is suitable for procurements of this size.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing this contract under SAP likely resulted in a fair market price for the specialized environmental services, ensuring taxpayer funds are used efficiently for this specific conservation need.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Forest Service, which will receive specialized environmental expertise. Services delivered include conservation planning and technical support for managing salt-impacted lands. The geographic impact is focused on North Carolina, addressing specific regional environmental challenges. The contract supports environmental stewardship and conservation efforts within the Forest Service's mandate.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data.
Limited information on the specific expertise of Unified Business Solutions LLC in salt-impacted land conservation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a competitive procedure (SAP), indicating potential for good value.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides budget certainty.
Focus on a specific environmental need (salt-impacted lands) suggests targeted resource allocation.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Facilities Support Services sector, specifically addressing environmental consulting and technical support. The market for environmental services is diverse, encompassing a wide range of specializations. Contracts of this nature are common for government agencies managing public lands and requiring expertise in areas like conservation, remediation, and ecological restoration. Benchmarking against similar small-dollar environmental support contracts would typically show a wide variance based on the specific technical requirements and duration.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false) and the contractor is not explicitly identified as a small business in this snippet. However, as it was competed under SAP, it is possible that small businesses participated in the competition. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist or if small businesses were excluded from prime contracting.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the U.S. Forest Service contracting officer and program managers. As a delivery order under a larger framework (implied by 'AW: DELIVERY ORDER'), there may be existing oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by contract award databases, but detailed performance monitoring and Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the specific terms and potential for fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Conservation Services
Facilities Support Services
Natural Resource Management

Risk Flags

Potential for contractor underperformance due to limited historical data.
Scope definition clarity for specialized environmental services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $50,181.84 to UNIFIED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC. CONTRACT 4854 UNIFIED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICIAN, CONSERVATION OPTIONS SALT-IMPACTED LANDS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIFIED BUSINESS SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $50,181.84.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-16. End: 2025-05-19.

What is the track record of Unified Business Solutions LLC in providing environmental technician services, particularly for salt-impacted lands?

Based on the provided data, Unified Business Solutions LLC is a new awardee for this specific type of service. The data does not offer historical performance information or details about their specific expertise in 'conservation options for salt-impacted lands.' Further investigation into the company's past performance, certifications, and project history would be necessary to fully assess their capabilities and track record in this specialized environmental niche. Without this context, it's difficult to gauge their experience beyond this single award.

How does the $50,181.84 contract value compare to similar environmental technician contracts awarded by the Forest Service or other agencies?

Comparing this $50,181.84 contract value requires context on the scope and duration of 'environmental technician services for salt-impacted lands.' Contracts for environmental support can vary significantly. For short-term, specialized tasks like this (245 days), this value is within a typical range for simplified acquisition. However, larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive environmental management or remediation could be in the millions. Without more specific data on comparable contracts for similar services and durations, a precise benchmark is challenging. The use of SAP suggests the agency sought competitive pricing for a relatively modest investment.

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

Key risks include potential underperformance by the contractor, scope creep, or unforeseen environmental complexities. Since the contract is firm fixed-price, cost overruns due to scope creep are less likely for the government, but schedule delays could still occur. Mitigation strategies typically involve clear performance work statements, regular progress reviews by the Forest Service, and defined deliverables. The limited duration (245 days) also inherently reduces long-term risk exposure. The primary risk mitigation lies in the competitive award process under SAP, which aims to select a capable contractor at a fair price.

How effective is the Forest Service likely to be in achieving its conservation goals for salt-impacted lands with this contract?

The effectiveness hinges on the specific expertise of Unified Business Solutions LLC and the clarity of the Forest Service's objectives outlined in the contract's statement of work. If the contractor possesses the necessary skills and the project scope is well-defined, this contract can contribute effectively to conservation efforts. The focused nature of the service and the specific geographic area (North Carolina) suggest a targeted approach. However, the relatively small contract value may limit the scale or complexity of the conservation activities that can be undertaken.

What are the historical spending patterns for environmental technician services within the Forest Service, and how does this award fit?

Historical spending patterns for environmental technician services within the Forest Service are likely substantial, given the agency's broad land management responsibilities. This $50,181.84 award represents a small, specific procurement likely addressing a localized need for expertise in salt-impacted land conservation. It fits within the agency's broader strategy of utilizing specialized contracts to address diverse environmental challenges across its vast landholdings. Analyzing annual reports or contract databases would reveal the overall trend and volume of spending in this category.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Facilities Support Services › Facilities Support Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 9435 WATERSTONE BLVD STE 140, CINCINNATI, OH, 45249

Business Categories: Black American Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $50,182

Exercised Options: $50,182

Current Obligation: $50,182

Actual Outlays: $50,182

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12445022D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline