Interior Department awards $258K contract for speech and pathologist services in New Mexico

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $257,964 ($258.0K)

Contractor: Katherine Arviso

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-03-12

End Date: 2027-03-11

Contract Duration: 729 days

Daily Burn Rate: $354/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Healthcare

Official Description: SPEECH AND PATHOLOGIST SERVICES

Place of Performance

Location: CROWNPOINT, MCKINLEY County, NEW MEXICO, 87313

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $257,963.77 to KATHERINE ARVISO for work described as: SPEECH AND PATHOLOGIST SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Katherine Arviso for speech and pathologist services. 2. Services to be delivered in New Mexico. 3. Contract duration is 729 days. 4. The contract type is Firm Fixed Price. 5. This award falls under the Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists NAICS code. 6. The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP).

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $257,963.77 for approximately two years of service appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized therapeutic services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for speech and pathologist services requires access to a broader dataset of government and private sector contracts. However, given the specific location and the nature of the services, the pricing is likely influenced by local market conditions and the specialized skill set required. Without more granular data on the scope of services and the number of individuals served, a definitive value-for-money assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which generally allows for broader competition among small businesses and other qualified vendors for awards below a certain threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP suggests an effort to obtain competitive pricing. The level of competition under SAP can vary, but it is designed to be more open than sole-source or limited competition scenarios, potentially leading to better price discovery for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP aims to ensure that taxpayer funds are used efficiently by soliciting offers from multiple sources, thereby driving down costs and ensuring fair market pricing for essential services.

Public Impact

Beneficiaries include individuals requiring speech and pathologist services, likely within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education's purview. Services delivered will focus on therapeutic interventions for speech, language, and potentially other related conditions. Geographic impact is concentrated in New Mexico, serving local communities. Workforce implications involve the engagement of a qualified speech and pathologist professional to meet service demands.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited public information on the specific scope of services and performance metrics.
Lack of detailed data on the number of individuals to be served and the intensity of services.
Potential for service gaps if the contractor faces unforeseen challenges or cannot meet demand.

Positive Signals

Contract awarded through a competitive process under SAP, indicating an effort to secure value.
Firm Fixed Price contract type helps manage budget predictability.
Contract duration of two years provides service continuity.

Sector Analysis

The healthcare services sector, specifically therapeutic services, is a critical component of government support programs. This contract for speech and pathologist services falls within the broader healthcare and social assistance industry. Government spending in this area often supports underserved populations or specific program requirements, such as those managed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within federal healthcare procurement data and state-level Medicaid/Medicare reimbursement rates for similar services.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which often encourages participation from small businesses. However, the data does not specify if this was a small business set-aside or if small businesses were among the bidders. If the prime contractor is a small business, it contributes to the small business contracting ecosystem. If not, the potential for subcontracting opportunities for small businesses should be considered, though this information is not provided.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education within the Department of the Interior. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and adherence to contract terms are expected to be managed by the contracting officer's representative (COR). Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award details. Specific Inspector General jurisdiction would depend on the nature of any potential fraud, waste, or abuse identified.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Indian Affairs Healthcare Services
Bureau of Indian Education Student Support Services
Federal Healthcare Procurement
Speech-Language Pathology Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to SAP.
Performance risk not fully assessed without contractor history.
Scope of services not fully detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $257,963.77 to KATHERINE ARVISO. SPEECH AND PATHOLOGIST SERVICES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KATHERINE ARVISO.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $257,963.77.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-03-12. End: 2027-03-11.

What is the specific scope of services Katherine Arviso is contracted to provide?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'SPEECH AND PATHOLOGIST SERVICES' under NAICS code 621340 (Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists). However, the precise details of the services, such as the number of patients to be seen, the types of therapies to be administered (e.g., speech therapy, audiology, occupational therapy), the frequency and duration of sessions, and specific diagnostic procedures, are not detailed in the summary data. A comprehensive understanding would require reviewing the contract's Statement of Work (SOW).

How does the contract value of $257,963.77 compare to market rates for similar services in New Mexico?

Benchmarking this contract value against market rates in New Mexico requires detailed analysis of local provider fees, insurance reimbursement rates (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare), and the specific patient population served. Speech and pathologist services can vary significantly in cost based on the provider's experience, the complexity of the patient's needs, and the location within New Mexico. Without specific data on the average hourly rates or per-session costs for comparable services in the region, it is difficult to definitively state if this contract represents a premium, average, or discounted rate. However, the Firm Fixed Price structure suggests an attempt to establish a predictable cost.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, given it was competed under SAP?

Contracts competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are generally for amounts below the threshold for full and open competition, often leading to awards to small businesses or through streamlined processes. Potential risks include a narrower field of bidders, which might limit the government's ability to secure the absolute lowest price compared to larger, more complex procurements. There's also a risk that the scope of services might be less rigorously defined, potentially leading to performance issues or cost overruns if not managed closely. Ensuring adequate oversight and performance monitoring is crucial, especially if the contractor is a smaller entity.

What is the historical spending pattern for speech and pathologist services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs/Education?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for speech and pathologist services by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) would involve reviewing past contract awards and expenditures in this category. This would help determine if this $257,963.77 award is consistent with previous investments, represents an increase or decrease in service provision, or indicates a shift in contracting strategy. Understanding historical trends can provide context for the current award's significance and potential future needs.

What is the track record of Katherine Arviso as a federal contractor?

Information regarding Katherine Arviso's track record as a federal contractor is not provided in the summary data. To assess this, one would need to search federal procurement databases (like FPDS or SAM.gov) for previous awards, contract performance history, and any reported issues or commendations. A contractor's past performance is a critical factor in evaluating the likelihood of successful contract execution and can inform risk assessments for new awards.

How does the duration of 729 days (approximately 2 years) impact the value proposition of this contract?

A contract duration of approximately two years provides a degree of service continuity, which is beneficial for ongoing therapeutic needs. For the government, a longer-term contract can reduce administrative burden associated with frequent re-procurement. From a value perspective, it allows the contractor to potentially achieve economies of scale or better plan resource allocation. However, it also locks the government into a specific provider and pricing for that period, potentially missing out on market shifts or better pricing that might emerge if the contract were shorter and re-competed more frequently.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Health Care and Social Assistance › Offices of Other Health Practitioners › Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140A2325Q0063

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3105 N HWY 371, CROWNPOINT, NM, 87313

Business Categories: American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $257,964

Exercised Options: $257,964

Current Obligation: $257,964

Actual Outlays: $111,928

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline