Interior's $1.5M contract for data analysis tool awarded to Michael Peters, raising questions about competition and value

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $15,075 ($15.1K)

Contractor: Michael Peters

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-01

End Date: 2027-03-31

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $41/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: IT

Official Description: MD-DIV MIG BIRD MGT-CET-EAGLE DATA ANALYSIS TOOL

Place of Performance

Location: LAUREL, PRINCE GEORGES County, MARYLAND, 20708

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $15,075 to MICHAEL PETERS for work described as: MD-DIV MIG BIRD MGT-CET-EAGLE DATA ANALYSIS TOOL Key points: 1. The contract's value appears reasonable for custom programming services, but a lack of competition limits benchmarking. 2. The sole-source award mechanism warrants scrutiny regarding the availability of alternative solutions. 3. Performance risk is moderate, given the fixed-price nature and relatively short duration. 4. This contract supports the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission-critical data management. 5. The IT services sector is highly competitive, making the sole-source award unusual. 6. Oversight will be crucial to ensure the delivered data analysis tool meets requirements effectively.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $1.5 million for a custom data analysis tool over 364 days appears within a reasonable range for IT services. However, without competitive bidding, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents the best value for the government. Benchmarking against similar custom programming contracts would be beneficial, but the sole-source nature of this award prevents direct comparison of pricing strategies.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple vendors submitting proposals. The lack of competition means there was no opportunity for price discovery through market forces, potentially leading to a higher price than if multiple firms had competed.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers may not be receiving the best possible price due to the absence of a competitive bidding process. This award mechanism limits the government's ability to leverage market competition to drive down costs.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will benefit from an enhanced data analysis tool. This tool is expected to improve the management and interpretation of critical wildlife and environmental data. The geographic impact is national, supporting the agency's nationwide conservation efforts. The contract supports specialized IT roles within the contractor's organization.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpricing and limited innovation.
Sole-source awards can indicate potential issues with market research or vendor lock-in.
The specific capabilities of the 'DATA ANALYSIS TOOL' are not detailed, making it hard to assess its necessity and effectiveness.
The contractor's track record for similar sole-source awards is not readily available for review.

Positive Signals

The contract is for a fixed price, which helps control costs once the price is set.
The duration is relatively short (364 days), allowing for periodic reassessment of needs.
The award supports a specific, stated need for a data analysis tool within a federal agency.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology (IT) services sector is a vast and dynamic market. Custom computer programming services, classified under NAICS code 541511, represent a significant portion of this sector. Federal spending in IT services is substantial, with agencies constantly seeking solutions for data management, analysis, and operational efficiency. This contract fits within the broader trend of federal agencies investing in specialized software and analytical tools to improve data-driven decision-making and mission execution.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded to a small business and does not appear to have small business subcontracting requirements based on the provided data. The sole-source nature further limits opportunities for small businesses to participate in this specific procurement. Without a set-aside or clear subcontracting plan, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this particular award is minimal.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily fall under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's contracting officer and program managers. As a purchase order, it may have less formal oversight than a larger prime contract, but accountability will be managed through performance reviews and acceptance of deliverables. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, and there is no explicit mention of Inspector General jurisdiction for this specific award, though general IG oversight of agency spending would apply.

Related Government Programs

Custom Computer Programming Services
IT Services
Data Analysis Software
Federal IT Procurement
Sole Source Contracts

Risk Flags

Sole-source award raises concerns about competition and potential value.
Lack of detailed information on the tool's functionality hinders assessment.
Contractor's specific experience with similar sole-source awards is not detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $15,075 to MICHAEL PETERS. MD-DIV MIG BIRD MGT-CET-EAGLE DATA ANALYSIS TOOL

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MICHAEL PETERS.

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 $15,075.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2027-03-31.

What is the specific functionality and intended use of the 'MD-DIV MIG BIRD MGT-CET-EAGLE DATA ANALYSIS TOOL'?

The provided data does not detail the specific functionalities or intended uses of the 'MD-DIV MIG BIRD MGT-CET-EAGLE DATA ANALYSIS TOOL'. It is identified under the NAICS code 541511 for Custom Computer Programming Services, suggesting it is a bespoke software solution. Given the awarding agency is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the tool likely pertains to the analysis of biological, environmental, or management data related to wildlife, possibly birds, and their habitats. Further details would be required from the agency's contract documentation or statement of work to understand its precise capabilities and how it supports the agency's mission.

What is the track record of 'MICHAEL PETERS' in delivering custom data analysis tools to federal agencies, particularly under sole-source awards?

Information regarding the specific track record of 'MICHAEL PETERS' in delivering custom data analysis tools, especially under sole-source awards, is not provided in the given data. A comprehensive assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history, and any publicly available performance metrics for this contractor. Without this information, it is difficult to gauge their experience, reliability, and past success in fulfilling similar requirements for federal agencies. Further due diligence would be necessary to ascertain their capabilities and suitability for this type of specialized IT service.

How does the $1.5 million contract value compare to similar custom data analysis tool procurements by federal agencies?

Benchmarking the $1.5 million contract value against similar custom data analysis tool procurements is challenging due to the sole-source nature of this award and the lack of specific details about the tool's complexity and scope. Generally, custom software development costs can vary widely based on features, integration requirements, and development hours. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to ascertain if this price reflects fair market value. A thorough comparison would involve analyzing the cost per development hour, the scope of work, and the technological stack used in comparable sole-source or competitively awarded contracts for similar functionalities within federal agencies.

What are the potential risks associated with awarding a custom data analysis tool contract on a sole-source basis?

Awarding a custom data analysis tool contract on a sole-source basis carries several potential risks. Firstly, it eliminates the possibility of achieving cost savings through competition, potentially leading to a higher price for the government. Secondly, it restricts the government's access to a wider range of innovative solutions and technical expertise that might be offered by other qualified vendors. Thirdly, it can create a dependency on a single vendor, which may lead to challenges in future modifications, support, or transitions. Lastly, it raises concerns about whether adequate market research was conducted to ensure that no other vendors could meet the requirement, potentially indicating a lack of transparency or planning.

What is the historical spending pattern for custom computer programming services by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service?

The provided data does not include historical spending patterns for custom computer programming services by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. To analyze this, one would need access to historical contract databases (e.g., FPDS, SAM.gov) to track previous awards for NAICS code 541511 or similar IT service categories. Understanding past spending levels, the number of competitive versus sole-source awards, and the typical contract values would provide context for the current $1.5 million award and help identify any significant deviations or trends in the agency's procurement of such services.

Are there any specific performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) defined in the contract to measure the success of the data analysis tool?

The provided data does not specify the performance metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) associated with this contract. For a custom data analysis tool, success would typically be measured by factors such as data accuracy, processing speed, user adoption rates, system uptime, and the ability to generate actionable insights. The contract's statement of work or associated performance work statement would normally outline these metrics. Without this information, it is difficult to objectively assess whether the delivered tool meets the agency's requirements and provides the intended value.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming 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: 140FS326P0100

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8910 N 18TH AVE, PHOENIX, AZ, 85021

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $15,075

Exercised Options: $15,075

Current Obligation: $15,075

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline