Interior's USGS Awards $927K for Technical Services to Cherokee Nation System Solutions

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $927,505 ($927.5K)

Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-09-06

End Date: 2026-06-01

Contract Duration: 633 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE II - 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE III - 2 WAREHOUSE SPECIALIST II

Place of Performance

Location: TUSCALOOSA, TUSCALOOSA County, ALABAMA, 35401

State: Alabama Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $927,505.04 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE II - 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE III - 2 WAREHOUSE SPECIALIST II Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a specific company, Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC. 2. Service category is 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 3. Competition method was 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources'. 4. Contract type is 'Delivery Order' with a duration of 633 days. 5. No small business participation noted.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $927,505.04 for labor hours appears reasonable for the specified services and duration. Benchmarking against similar contracts for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' would provide a clearer picture of value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The competition method 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' suggests that while the competition was open, specific sources were excluded, potentially limiting the competitive landscape and price discovery.

Taxpayer Impact: The impact on taxpayers is moderate, as the exclusion of sources may have prevented potentially lower bids from a wider pool of competitors.

Public Impact

Supports critical scientific and technical services for the U.S. Geological Survey. Ensures continuity of operations for essential government functions. Potential for economic benefit to the awarded company, Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
Lack of small business participation.

Positive Signals

Award to a specific entity (Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC).
Clear service description and defined contract period.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services', a broad category. Spending in this sector can vary widely depending on agency needs, but typically involves specialized expertise for research, analysis, and technical support.

Small Business Impact

The contract explicitly states no small business participation (sb: false). This indicates that small businesses were not involved in this specific award, which could be a missed opportunity for economic development.

Oversight & Accountability

The 'Delivery Order' nature suggests this is part of a larger contract vehicle. Oversight would focus on task order execution, performance metrics, and adherence to the original contract terms. The 'Exclusion of Sources' warrants scrutiny.

Related Government Programs

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

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to source exclusion.
No small business participation.
Potential for higher costs due to restricted competition.
Lack of detailed service description in provided data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $927,505.04 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE II - 2 CUSTOMER SERVICE III - 2 WAREHOUSE SPECIALIST II

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 $927,505.04.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-09-06. End: 2026-06-01.

What specific technical services are included under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for this contract, and how do they align with USGS's core mission?

The specific services are not detailed in the provided data. However, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' typically encompasses a wide range of specialized support, potentially including data analysis, research assistance, technical consulting, or specialized scientific support not covered by more specific NAICS codes. For USGS, these could relate to geological surveys, mapping, environmental monitoring, or natural resource management.

What were the reasons for excluding certain sources in the 'Full and Open Competition After Exclusion of Sources' process, and did this exclusion impact the final price?

The data does not specify the reasons for excluding sources. Typically, exclusions might be due to national security, proprietary technology, or specific capabilities required. Understanding these reasons is crucial to assess if the exclusion limited competition unfairly or if it was justified, thereby impacting the final price by potentially reducing the number of competitive bids received.

How will the performance of Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC be monitored to ensure the effective delivery of services and value for taxpayer money?

Performance monitoring will likely involve the U.S. Geological Survey's contracting officer's representative (COR) overseeing the delivery orders. Key performance indicators (KPIs) related to service quality, timeliness, and adherence to technical specifications will be tracked. Regular progress reports and performance reviews will ensure accountability and effective use of funds.

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: $927,505

Exercised Options: $927,505

Current Obligation: $927,505

Actual Outlays: $621,255

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