Interior's Bureau of Reclamation Awards $2.18M for Facilitation Services to Kearns & West Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,184,981 ($2.2M)
Contractor: Kearns & West Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-09-25
End Date: 2027-03-31
Contract Duration: 552 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: PROVIDE FACILITATION, COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING SERVICES TO THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Place of Performance
Location: SAN FRANCISCO, SAN FRANCISCO County, CALIFORNIA, 94104
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $2.2 million to KEARNS & WEST INC for work described as: PROVIDE FACILITATION, COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING SERVICES TO THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential facilitation and collaborative problem-solving services. 2. Kearns & West Inc. secured the contract. 3. Spending falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 4. The contract duration is 552 days.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $2.18 million for a 552-day period appears reasonable for specialized facilitation services. Benchmarking against similar professional services contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating a competitive bidding process. This method generally promotes price discovery and ensures fair market value.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process suggests taxpayers are likely receiving fair value for the services rendered.
Public Impact
Supports Bureau of Reclamation's critical water management and infrastructure projects. Ensures effective collaboration among stakeholders in complex environmental and resource issues. Facilitates problem-solving for potentially contentious interagency and public discussions.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Positive Signals
- Full and open competition utilized.
- Clear service description for facilitation and problem-solving.
- Defined contract period with specific end date.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. Spending in this category can vary widely based on agency needs for specialized expertise.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not awarded to a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small business participation was sought or achieved through subcontracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made by the Department of the Interior's 'Departmental Offices', suggesting centralized oversight. The 'full and open competition' method implies a degree of accountability in the selection process.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Departmental Offices Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials pricing.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Dependence on contractor's specialized expertise.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-the-interior, ca, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $2.2 million to KEARNS & WEST INC. PROVIDE FACILITATION, COLLABORATIVE PROBLEM-SOLVING SERVICES TO THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is KEARNS & WEST INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Departmental Offices).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-25. End: 2027-03-31.
What specific expertise does Kearns & West Inc. bring to justify this contract award?
Kearns & West Inc. likely possesses specialized expertise in facilitation, mediation, and collaborative problem-solving, particularly relevant to complex environmental and resource management issues faced by the Bureau of Reclamation. Their experience in navigating stakeholder interests and fostering consensus is crucial for successful project outcomes.
Are there any potential risks associated with the 'time and materials' pricing structure for these services?
Time and materials contracts can pose a risk of cost overruns if not closely monitored, as they are directly tied to the hours worked and material costs. Effective oversight and clear task definitions are essential to mitigate this risk and ensure the project stays within budget.
How will the effectiveness of these facilitation services be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness is likely measured through the successful achievement of collaborative goals, stakeholder satisfaction, and the timely resolution of complex issues. The Bureau of Reclamation will need to establish clear performance metrics and conduct regular reviews to ensure the services meet their objectives.
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: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 140D0425Q0160
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 233 SANSOME ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA, 94104
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,184,981
Exercised Options: $2,184,981
Current Obligation: $2,184,981
Actual Outlays: $228,161
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 140D0423D0077
IDV Type: IDC
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-25
Current End Date: 2027-03-31
Potential End Date: 2027-03-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-11
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