Interior awards $921K contract for Coral Reef Research to Cherokee Nation System Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $921,172 ($921.2K)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2020-10-01

End Date: 2026-05-31

Contract Duration: 2,068 days

Daily Burn Rate: $445/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: RESEARCHER III AND VII -CORAL REEFS

Place of Performance

Location: SAINT PETERSBURG, PINELLAS County, FLORIDA, 33701

State: Florida Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $921,172.24 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: RESEARCHER III AND VII -CORAL REEFS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized research services in coral reef studies. 2. Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC secured the award. 3. The contract spans over 6 years, indicating a long-term need. 4. Spending falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract's value of $921,172.24 over 6 years suggests a moderate annual spend. Benchmarking against similar 'Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' contracts would be necessary for a precise pricing 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'. This indicates a competitive process was used, but specific sources may have been excluded, potentially impacting price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for specialized scientific research, contributing to environmental understanding and conservation efforts.

Public Impact

Supports critical environmental research on coral reefs, vital for marine ecosystems. Funds specialized scientific expertise, potentially leading to advancements in conservation strategies. Contract duration suggests sustained investment in understanding and protecting vulnerable marine environments.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential impact of 'exclusion of sources' on final price.
Lack of specific performance metrics or deliverables in provided data.
Limited detail on the scope of 'research' beyond coral reefs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition.
Supports important scientific research.
Long contract duration indicates sustained commitment to the research area.

Sector Analysis

The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad, encompassing diverse specialized services. Benchmarking requires comparison within this specific sub-sector, considering the unique nature of coral reef research.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if small businesses were involved in this contract, either as prime contractors or subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would typically involve monitoring the contractor's performance against contract requirements and ensuring adherence to federal acquisition regulations. The 'exclusion of sources' clause warrants specific scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
U.S. Geological Survey Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for reduced competition due to source exclusion.
Long contract duration may not reflect evolving research needs.
Lack of specific performance metrics in provided data.
Broad service category makes direct cost comparison difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $921,172.24 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. RESEARCHER III AND VII -CORAL REEFS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $921,172.24.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2020-10-01. End: 2026-05-31.

What specific research outcomes are expected from this contract, and how will they contribute to coral reef conservation efforts?

The contract aims to fund specialized research related to coral reefs. Expected outcomes likely include data collection, analysis, and reporting on reef health, threats, and potential mitigation strategies. These findings are crucial for informing conservation policies, management decisions, and scientific understanding of these vital ecosystems, ultimately contributing to their long-term preservation.

How did the 'exclusion of sources' in the procurement process potentially affect the competitiveness and final price of this contract?

Excluding specific sources, even in a full and open competition, can limit the pool of potential bidders. This reduction in competition might lead to less aggressive pricing than if all qualified vendors were allowed to compete. The extent of this impact depends on how many potential bidders were excluded and the degree of competition among the remaining ones.

What metrics will be used to assess the effectiveness of the research conducted under this contract and the value delivered to the Department of the Interior?

Effectiveness will likely be measured by the timely delivery of high-quality research reports, data sets, and analyses that meet the scientific and operational needs of the U.S. Geological Survey. Value will be assessed by the utility of the research findings in supporting evidence-based decision-making for coral reef management, conservation initiatives, and policy development.

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

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cherokee Nation

Address: 10838 E MARSHALL ST STE 200-A17, TULSA, OK, 74116

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, American Indian Owned Business, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Tribally Owned Firm, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $921,172

Exercised Options: $921,172

Current Obligation: $921,172

Actual Outlays: $893,736

Contract Characteristics

Multi-Year Contract: Yes

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140G0120D0021

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline