Interior Department awards $1.15M R&D contract for physical sciences research in New Mexico

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,520 ($11.5K)

Contractor: Mcmahon Alexander

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-04-15

End Date: 2026-04-30

Contract Duration: 380 days

Daily Burn Rate: $30/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: ALEXANDER MCMAHON, TCRGP RESEARCHER

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87120

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $11,520 to MCMAHON ALEXANDER for work described as: ALEXANDER MCMAHON, TCRGP RESEARCHER Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating clear cost expectations. 2. Sole-source award suggests limited market availability or specific contractor expertise. 3. Research and Development focus aligns with agency's mission for scientific advancement. 4. Short duration of 380 days may indicate a project-specific or phased approach. 5. Awarded to a single entity, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies from competition. 6. Geographic focus on New Mexico for R&D activities.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract's value of $1.15 million for R&D in physical sciences is difficult to benchmark without specific project details. As a sole-source award, there is no direct comparison to other bids to assess pricing competitiveness. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government, but the absence of competition means potential savings from a competitive bidding process were not realized. Further analysis would require understanding the scope of work and the unique qualifications of the contractor.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed. This typically occurs when a specific contractor possesses unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or is the only source capable of meeting the requirement. The lack of competition limits the government's ability to explore a wider range of solutions and potentially secure lower prices through bidding.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not benefit from the cost savings that typically arise from a competitive bidding process. The government may have paid a premium due to the absence of multiple offers.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the researchers and institutions within New Mexico conducting physical, engineering, and life sciences R&D. The contract supports advancements in scientific knowledge and technological innovation within the specified R&D categories. Geographic impact is concentrated in New Mexico, potentially fostering local scientific expertise and infrastructure. Workforce implications include employment for scientists, engineers, and support staff involved in the research activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price discovery and potential cost savings for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may indicate a lack of market research or a reliance on a single vendor.
Short contract duration could lead to follow-on contracts, potentially increasing overall expenditure without renewed competition.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Focus on R&D aligns with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education's mission to support scientific advancement.
Award to a specific entity suggests they possess specialized knowledge or capabilities crucial for the research.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences sector, excluding nanotechnology and biotechnology. This is a broad category encompassing fundamental and applied research across various scientific disciplines. Federal spending in this area supports innovation, technological advancement, and scientific discovery, often leading to new products, processes, and a deeper understanding of complex phenomena. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend heavily on the specific sub-field of R&D and the agency's strategic priorities.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business set-asides were not utilized for this award (ss: false, sb: false). As a sole-source award, there were no subcontracting opportunities generated through a competitive process. The impact on the small business ecosystem is minimal in this instance, as the contract was not specifically targeted towards small business participation or set-aside goals.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm-fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver specified research outcomes within the agreed budget. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details should be publicly available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior Research and Development Programs
Bureau of Indian Affairs Scientific Research
Bureau of Indian Education Technology Initiatives
Federal Physical Sciences Research Grants
New Mexico Research and Development Funding

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit cost savings.
Lack of competition could reduce innovation options.
Contract duration is relatively short, potentially requiring follow-on actions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $11,520 to MCMAHON ALEXANDER. ALEXANDER MCMAHON, TCRGP RESEARCHER

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MCMAHON ALEXANDER.

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 $11,520.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-15. End: 2026-04-30.

What specific research objectives does this contract aim to achieve within the physical, engineering, and life sciences?

The provided data does not specify the exact research objectives. However, the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541715 indicates 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).' This suggests the contract likely supports scientific inquiry, experimentation, and analysis in areas such as materials science, chemistry, physics, environmental science, or engineering disciplines. The Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education's mission may guide the research towards areas relevant to tribal communities, resource management, education, or infrastructure development within their purview. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work.

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

Sole-source awards are typically justified when only one responsible source is available or capable of meeting the government's needs. Common reasons include the contractor possessing unique technical expertise, proprietary information or technology, or being the only entity able to perform the work within the required timeframe. For this contract, the justification would likely stem from the contractor's specialized knowledge or capabilities in a niche area of physical, engineering, or life sciences research relevant to the Bureau of Indian Affairs or Bureau of Indian Education's specific requirements. Without access to the justification documentation, the precise reason remains speculative.

How does the $1.15 million award compare to typical R&D spending for similar projects within the Department of the Interior?

Comparing the $1.15 million award to typical R&D spending requires detailed knowledge of the specific research area and project scope, which is not fully detailed in the provided data. The Department of the Interior funds a wide range of R&D activities, from small, targeted studies to large-scale scientific initiatives. A $1.15 million contract for a 380-day duration could represent a significant investment for a focused research project or a smaller component of a larger program. Benchmarking would necessitate examining historical spending on contracts with similar NAICS codes (541715) and project durations within the Department or similar agencies, considering factors like the complexity of the research and the number of personnel involved.

What are the potential risks associated with a sole-source R&D contract of this nature?

A primary risk of sole-source R&D contracts is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. Without competing bids, the government may not achieve the best possible price. Another risk is a lack of innovation or alternative approaches, as the government is reliant on the single contractor's methodology and expertise. There's also a risk of vendor lock-in if the contractor's technology or knowledge becomes indispensable. Furthermore, if the contractor fails to perform adequately, the government has limited recourse without having explored other potential providers during a competitive process.

What is the track record of MCMAHON ALEXANDER in performing federal R&D contracts, particularly those awarded on a sole-source basis?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'MCMAHON ALEXANDER' in performing federal R&D contracts, especially sole-source awards, is not provided in the given data. A comprehensive assessment would require accessing federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) to review past performance evaluations, contract history, and any reported issues. Understanding their past performance, including successful delivery of research outcomes, adherence to timelines and budgets, and any past disputes or challenges, is crucial for evaluating the reliability and value of this current award. Without this historical data, assessing their track record is not possible.

What are the implications of the firm-fixed-price contract type for managing R&D project risks?

A firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract type shifts the majority of cost risk to the contractor. This means the contractor is obligated to complete the work for the agreed-upon price, regardless of their actual costs. For R&D projects, this can be advantageous for the government as it provides budget certainty. However, it can also incentivize the contractor to cut corners or limit the scope of research if costs exceed expectations, potentially impacting the quality or completeness of the research outcomes. Conversely, if the contractor is highly efficient, they retain any cost savings, which might have been passed on to the government in a cost-reimbursement contract. The FFP structure is best suited when the scope of work is well-defined and risks are manageable.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

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

Address: 4 LA ENTRADA, PLACITAS, NM, 87043

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $23,040

Exercised Options: $11,520

Current Obligation: $11,520

Actual Outlays: $8,640

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline