Interior's $18M R&D Contract Awarded to Altíplano Consulting LLC for Research in New Mexico
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,000 ($18.0K)
Contractor: Altiplano Consulting, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-04-16
End Date: 2026-04-30
Contract Duration: 379 days
Daily Burn Rate: $47/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ALTIPLANO-ROBERTO IBARRA, CONTRACTOR
Place of Performance
Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87120
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $18,000 to ALTIPLANO CONSULTING, LLC for work described as: ALTIPLANO-ROBERTO IBARRA, CONTRACTOR Key points: 1. Contract awarded for R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences. 2. Altíplano Consulting, LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 379 days. 4. Awarded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $18 million for a 379-day duration appears high for a purchase order, especially without clear competition. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts of this scope and duration is difficult without more detailed service descriptions.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs for taxpayers as there was no competitive pressure to obtain the best value.
Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition raises concerns about whether taxpayers received the best possible price for the research and development services.
Public Impact
Research and Development funding directed to a single entity. Potential for limited innovation due to lack of competitive proposals. Impact on educational and scientific advancement within the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source award limits competition.
- High contract value for a single vendor.
- Lack of detailed justification for non-competition.
Positive Signals
- Supports R&D in critical scientific fields.
- Specific focus on Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences category. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project scope and agency priorities. Without specific benchmarks for this niche, it's hard to assess if $18 million is typical.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Altíplano Consulting, LLC, which is not indicated as a small business. There is no information provided on whether small business participation was considered or mandated.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the contractor is delivering on the research objectives effectively and that the pricing remains fair, despite the absence of competition.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive pricing.
- High value for a single vendor purchase order.
- Limited transparency on R&D scope and justification.
- Potential for cost overruns without competition.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-the-interior, nm, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $18,000 to ALTIPLANO CONSULTING, LLC. ALTIPLANO-ROBERTO IBARRA, CONTRACTOR
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ALTIPLANO CONSULTING, LLC.
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 $18,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-04-16. End: 2026-04-30.
What specific research and development activities will Altíplano Consulting, LLC undertake with the $18 million award, and how do these align with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Education's strategi
The contract specifies Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). While the exact deliverables are not detailed, the funding is intended to support advancements relevant to the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education. Further clarification is needed on the specific projects and their direct contribution to the agencies' missions and objectives.
What is the justification for awarding this $18 million contract on a sole-source basis, and what steps were taken to ensure fair and reasonable pricing without competition?
The data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED,' suggesting a sole-source award. A thorough justification should exist within the agency detailing why competition was not feasible or practical. Without this justification, it is difficult to assess the risk of inflated pricing and ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently. Standard procedures for sole-source procurements should have been followed to validate price reasonableness.
How will the effectiveness and impact of the R&D conducted under this contract be measured and evaluated by the Department of the Interior?
The effectiveness of the R&D will likely be measured through milestones, deliverables, and final reports outlined in the contract. The Department of the Interior, specifically the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, should have established performance metrics and oversight mechanisms to track progress and assess the scientific and practical value of the research. Regular reviews and technical evaluations are crucial for ensuring accountability.
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: 8 VISTA MONTANA PL, PLACITAS, NM, 87043
Business Categories: Category Business, Hispanic American Owned Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $36,000
Exercised Options: $18,000
Current Obligation: $18,000
Actual Outlays: $13,500
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-04-16
Current End Date: 2026-04-30
Potential End Date: 2027-04-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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