Commerce Department awards $228K sole-source purchase order for support staff to Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $228,054 ($228.1K)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, L.L.C.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-09-01

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $627/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPPORT STAFF

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80305

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $228,053.98 to CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C. for work described as: SUPPORT STAFF Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting potential cost savings from competition. 2. The contract duration of one year is relatively short, suggesting potential for future re-competition or task order adjustments. 3. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 indicates a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical services. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses, indicating no specific focus on supporting smaller enterprises in this award. 6. The award is a purchase order, typically used for smaller value acquisitions, aligning with the contract's dollar amount.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $228,053.98 for one year of support staff services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized professional services. However, without specific details on the services provided or the qualifications required, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. Benchmarking against similar sole-source contracts for support staff within the Department of Commerce or other federal agencies could provide further insight into pricing efficiency. The firm-fixed-price structure offers predictability, but the absence of competition means there's no direct market validation of the price.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded using a sole-source justification, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. This approach is typically employed when only one vendor possesses the unique capabilities, qualifications, or proprietary information necessary to fulfill the requirement. The lack of competition means that the government did not benefit from the price discovery and potential cost reductions that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. This can sometimes lead to higher prices than might be achieved in an open market.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means that the government may not have secured the most cost-effective solution available. The absence of competition removes a key mechanism for ensuring that taxpayer funds are used efficiently and that the government is receiving the best possible value for its money.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Commerce's Office of the Secretary, which will receive the support staff services. The services delivered will likely involve administrative, technical, or professional support crucial for the office's operations. The geographic impact is concentrated within the Department of Commerce's facilities, likely in Washington D.C. or other primary operating locations. The contract supports the workforce by providing necessary personnel to augment existing government staff.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pressure, potentially impacting cost-effectiveness.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
Limited data available on the specific nature of 'support staff' services.
Potential for vendor lock-in due to sole-source nature.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Award to Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, potentially supporting a tribally-owned business.
Contract duration is manageable, allowing for future reassessment.
Awarded to an established entity with existing federal contracting experience.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is a broad category within the federal procurement landscape. NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' encompasses a wide array of specialized services that do not fit into more specific categories. Federal spending in this sector is substantial, supporting various government functions from research and development to administrative and operational support. This particular contract, for support staff, fits within the operational support segment of this sector. Benchmarking this specific award against the broader sector spending is difficult without more granular data on the services rendered.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned in the provided data. Therefore, its direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal. The award to Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, a tribally-owned entity, may have indirect benefits for certain segments of the business community, but it does not represent a direct set-aside or subcontracting opportunity for the general small business population.

Oversight & Accountability

As a purchase order issued by the Department of Commerce, this contract falls under the general oversight of the agency's procurement and financial management offices. Specific oversight mechanisms would depend on the internal policies of the Office of the Secretary. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature and the brevity of the provided data. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse, but detailed program-specific oversight is not evident from the data.

Related Government Programs

Department of Commerce Administrative Support Contracts
Federal Professional and Technical Services
Sole-Source Service Contracts
Purchase Orders for Support Staff

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Lack of detailed service description.
Potential for higher costs due to lack of competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $228,053.98 to CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C.. SUPPORT STAFF

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE NATION STRATEGIC PROGRAMS, L.L.C..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (Office of the Secretary).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $228,053.98.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-01. End: 2026-08-31.

What specific services are included under 'support staff' for this contract?

The provided data identifies the service category as 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) and the description as 'SUPPORT STAFF'. However, the specific duties, qualifications, and deliverables are not detailed. Typically, 'support staff' in a federal context can range widely, encompassing administrative assistants, program analysts, technical writers, researchers, or specialized operational personnel. Without further information from the contract's statement of work, it is impossible to determine the precise nature of the services. This lack of specificity makes it challenging to benchmark the value or assess performance effectively.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' implying a sole-source or limited competition award. Federal procurement regulations (e.g., FAR Part 6) allow for sole-source awards under specific circumstances, such as when only one responsible source can satisfy the agency's needs, or in cases of urgent and compelling need. For this contract, the specific justification (e.g., unique capabilities of Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, proprietary data, or urgent requirement) is not provided. Understanding this justification is crucial for assessing whether the sole-source award was appropriate and if it truly represented the best value for the government, as competition was deliberately bypassed.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to similar support staff services within the federal government?

A direct comparison of pricing is difficult without knowing the specific services rendered and the labor categories involved. The total contract value is $228,053.98 for a one-year period. If this contract involves highly specialized or senior-level support staff, the price might be competitive. However, if it covers more general administrative support, it could be on the higher end, especially given the lack of competitive bidding. Benchmarking would require access to data on similar sole-source or competed contracts for comparable support roles within the Department of Commerce or other agencies, factoring in location, experience levels, and service scope.

What is the track record of Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs in delivering federal support staff services?

Cherokee Nation Strategic Programs, LLC (CNSP) is a federal contractor with a history of performing various services for government agencies. While the provided data doesn't detail their specific performance on 'support staff' contracts, CNSP generally operates within professional, scientific, and technical services. Their track record would typically be assessed through past performance evaluations in federal databases (like the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), if available. A review of their contract history would reveal the types of services they have provided, their performance ratings, and their experience with similar agencies or requirements. This information is vital for understanding their capability to fulfill this specific contract effectively.

What are the potential risks associated with this sole-source award?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source award is the potential for reduced value for money due to the absence of competition. Without competing offers, the government may not be obtaining the lowest possible price or the most innovative solution. There's also a risk that the contractor may not be as incentivized to perform at the highest level compared to a competitive environment. Furthermore, if the services are critical and the vendor relationship is not managed effectively, there could be risks related to vendor dependency. The lack of detailed service description also poses a risk in ensuring the contract meets the actual needs of the Office of the Secretary.

How does this contract fit into the Department of Commerce's overall spending on professional and technical services?

This contract represents a small portion of the Department of Commerce's overall spending on professional, scientific, and technical services. The Department procures a vast array of services annually, often in much larger contract vehicles, to support its diverse mission areas. This $228,053.98 purchase order for support staff is likely an operational necessity for the Office of the Secretary, filling a specific, immediate need. Its significance lies in its direct support function rather than its contribution to the total agency budget for this category. Analyzing its place requires comparing it to the agency's broader procurement portfolio and spending trends in NAICS 541990.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cherokee Nation

Address: 2 W 2ND ST STE 1500-28, TULSA, OK, 74103

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $228,054

Exercised Options: $228,054

Current Obligation: $228,054

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Timeline