Interior Department Awards $19.7K Purchase Order for Conservation Programs in Alaska

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $19,661 ($19.7K)

Contractor: Dena Nena Henash

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-19

End Date: 2024-09-30

Contract Duration: 11 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.8K/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AK-FAIRBANKS FWO-AK-NAFWFO_ANDREAFSKY WE

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRBANKS, FAIRBANKS NORTH STAR County, ALASKA, 99701

State: Alaska Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $19,660.9 to DENA NENA HENASH for work described as: AK-FAIRBANKS FWO-AK-NAFWFO_ANDREAFSKY WE Key points: 1. The contract is for Administration of Conservation Programs, with a total value of $19,660.90. 2. Awarded to DENA NENA HENASH, this contract is a sole-source award. 3. The contract duration is 11 days, ending September 30, 2024. 4. This award represents a small portion of the Department of the Interior's overall spending.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $19,660.90 is relatively small. Without specific deliverables or benchmarks for 'Administration of Conservation Programs,' it's difficult to assess value for money. The pricing is likely based on the vendor's proposed rate for the short duration.

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 compared to a competitive process. The justification for sole-source is not provided.

Taxpayer Impact: The direct taxpayer impact is limited due to the small contract value, but the lack of competition sets a precedent for potentially less efficient spending on similar future contracts.

Public Impact

Conservation efforts in Alaska may be supported by this funding. The specific services rendered are unclear, impacting public understanding of how funds are used. The sole-source nature raises questions about equitable distribution of federal contracts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award lacks competition
Unclear deliverables and value for money
Short duration may indicate urgent or specific need

Positive Signals

Supports conservation programs
Timely award for program needs

Sector Analysis

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates within the broader Department of the Interior, which manages vast natural resources. Spending on conservation programs is crucial for environmental protection and wildlife management, with benchmarks varying widely based on project scope and location.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to DENA NENA HENASH. It is unclear if this is a small business. The lack of competition means opportunities for other small businesses to bid on this specific contract were absent.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The sole-source nature warrants scrutiny to ensure the justification is sound and that taxpayer funds are used efficiently, especially given the short performance period.

Related Government Programs

Administration of Conservation Programs
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition
Unclear deliverables
Limited transparency on value for money

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $19,660.9 to DENA NENA HENASH. AK-FAIRBANKS FWO-AK-NAFWFO_ANDREAFSKY WE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DENA NENA HENASH.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $19,660.9.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-19. End: 2024-09-30.

What specific conservation program activities does this contract fund, and how does the vendor's pricing reflect the value of these services?

The contract is broadly categorized under 'Administration of Conservation Programs.' Without detailed task orders or statements of work, it's impossible to ascertain the specific activities. The $19,660.90 value for an 11-day period suggests a daily rate for administrative support or specialized consultation related to conservation efforts in Alaska. The value is assessed as questionable due to the lack of transparency regarding deliverables and the absence of competitive bidding to establish a fair market price.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and what risks does this pose to cost-effectiveness?

The justification for this sole-source award is not provided in the data. Sole-source contracts inherently carry a risk of reduced cost-effectiveness because they bypass the competitive process, which typically drives down prices. This lack of competition means taxpayers may not be getting the best possible price for the services rendered, and it limits opportunities for other qualified vendors.

How does this contract contribute to the overall effectiveness of conservation programs managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska?

The effectiveness of this contract is difficult to gauge without knowing the specific conservation program goals it supports and the vendor's role in achieving them. While it provides funding for administrative aspects, its direct impact on conservation outcomes is unclear. The short duration suggests a focused, potentially administrative or consulting, role rather than a long-term program implementation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Public Administration › Administration of Environmental Quality Programs › Administration of Conservation Programs

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

Address: 122 1ST AVE STE 600, FAIRBANKS, AK, 99701

Business Categories: Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $19,661

Exercised Options: $19,661

Current Obligation: $19,661

Actual Outlays: $19,661

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline