DOI awards $7.8M for molecular services to Pisces Molecular LLC, a sole-source contract

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $7,804 ($7.8K)

Contractor: Pisces Molecular LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-07-05

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 452 days

Daily Burn Rate: $17/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MT-ESFO - PISCES MOLECULAR PROJECT

Place of Performance

Location: BOULDER, BOULDER County, COLORADO, 80301

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $7,804 to PISCES MOLECULAR LLC for work described as: MT-ESFO - PISCES MOLECULAR PROJECT Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, limiting competitive pricing benefits. 2. Fixed-price contract type suggests cost certainty for the government. 3. Contract duration of 452 days provides a defined period for service delivery. 4. The award is a purchase order, typically used for simpler acquisitions. 5. No small business set-aside was applied to this acquisition. 6. The scientific and technical consulting services category is broad and requires specific performance metrics for evaluation.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

The contract value of $7.8 million for molecular services is significant. Without comparable sole-source contracts or detailed cost breakdowns, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The fixed-price nature offers some cost control, but the lack of competition raises concerns about whether the government secured the best possible price. Further analysis of the specific services and deliverables is needed to assess true value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Pisces Molecular LLC, was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. While sole-source awards can be justified under specific circumstances (e.g., unique capabilities), they generally lead to less price discovery and potentially higher costs for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may not have benefited from the cost savings that a competitive bidding process could have generated. This could result in a higher overall expenditure for the services rendered.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the primary beneficiary, receiving specialized molecular services. These services are crucial for scientific research and conservation efforts managed by the agency. The contract supports scientific advancement within the Department of the Interior. The geographic impact is primarily within Colorado, where the contractor is located, but the scientific outcomes can have national implications for wildlife management.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition.
Lack of transparency in the justification for sole-source award.
Potential for cost overruns if pricing was not adequately vetted due to lack of competition.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Contract duration is clearly defined.
Award to a specialized firm suggests access to unique capabilities.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls under Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services, a broad category encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. The market for molecular services is highly specialized, often dominated by a few firms with unique technological capabilities. Benchmarking spending in this niche requires identifying comparable contracts for similar molecular analysis or research, which can be challenging due to proprietary methods and specific research objectives.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it appear to have specific subcontracting requirements for small businesses mentioned. The award to Pisces Molecular LLC, a single entity, suggests that the focus was on acquiring specialized molecular services rather than promoting small business participation. Further review of the contract details would be needed to confirm any indirect impacts on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officer and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the fixed-price contract type, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award; the justification for this approach would be key to assessing accountability. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Research and Development
Environmental Consulting
Biological Research Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award without clear justification.
Potential lack of competitive pricing.
Limited transparency on specific services and deliverables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $7,804 to PISCES MOLECULAR LLC. MT-ESFO - PISCES MOLECULAR PROJECT

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PISCES MOLECULAR LLC.

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 $7,804.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-07-05. End: 2025-09-30.

What specific molecular services are being procured under this contract, and how do they align with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission?

The contract, valued at $7.8 million, is for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' awarded to Pisces Molecular LLC. While the specific molecular services are not detailed in the provided data, they are likely related to genetic analysis, DNA sequencing, molecular diagnostics, or other specialized biological research critical for wildlife conservation, species identification, population studies, or disease monitoring. These services directly support the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mandate to conserve fish, wildlife, and their habitats. The exact alignment would depend on the specific scientific projects undertaken by the agency that require these advanced molecular capabilities.

What was the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis, and were alternative competitive approaches considered?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' and was awarded as a sole-source purchase order. The specific justification for this sole-source award is not detailed. Typically, sole-source justifications are required when only one responsible source is available or capable of providing the required services, often due to unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or urgent and compelling needs. Without the official justification document, it's impossible to confirm if alternative competitive approaches were considered or why they were deemed unsuitable. This lack of competition is a key area for further scrutiny.

How does the $7.8 million contract value compare to historical spending on similar molecular services by the Department of the Interior or its agencies?

Benchmarking the $7.8 million contract value requires comparing it to historical spending on similar molecular services within the Department of the Interior (DOI) or its agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Without access to historical contract databases or specific spending reports for molecular services, a direct comparison is difficult. However, $7.8 million represents a substantial investment for a single contract, suggesting either a large-scale project, highly specialized and expensive services, or a long-term engagement. If similar services were previously procured competitively, this sole-source award's value could be assessed against those benchmarks to identify potential price differences.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected from Pisces Molecular LLC under this contract, and how will their performance be measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables for this contract. However, for 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' typical KPIs might include the timely delivery of accurate molecular data, adherence to scientific protocols, quality of reports, successful completion of analytical tasks, and achievement of specific research objectives. Performance measurement would likely involve regular progress reviews by the FWS contracting officer's representative (COR), acceptance of deliverables, and potentially peer review of scientific findings. The fixed-price nature of the contract implies that Pisces Molecular LLC is responsible for delivering the agreed-upon scope of work within the $7.8 million budget.

What is the track record of Pisces Molecular LLC in performing federal contracts, particularly those involving scientific and technical consulting services?

Information regarding the track record of Pisces Molecular LLC in performing federal contracts is not provided in the data. To assess their reliability and past performance, one would typically consult the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) or the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) for past contract awards, performance evaluations, and any history of disputes or issues. Given this is a sole-source award, understanding their specialized capabilities and any prior successful engagements, especially with the FWS or other scientific agencies, would be crucial for justifying the award and ensuring successful project outcomes.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140FS224P0258

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1600 RANGE ST, BOULDER, CO, 80301

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $7,804

Exercised Options: $7,804

Current Obligation: $7,804

Actual Outlays: $7,804

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline