Interior's USGS Awards $799,999 for Technical Services to Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $79,999 ($80.0K)
Contractor: Cherokee Nation System Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2025-03-27
End Date: 2026-06-01
Contract Duration: 431 days
Daily Burn Rate: $186/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: RESEARCH IV - T. EDWARDS
Place of Performance
Location: COLUMBIA, BOONE County, MISSOURI, 65201
State: Missouri Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $79,999.13 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: RESEARCH IV - T. EDWARDS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. 2. Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions LLC is the sole awardee. 3. The contract has a duration of 431 days. 4. This award falls under the 'Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $799,999.13 for a period of approximately 14 months appears reasonable for specialized technical services. 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 contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. This suggests a limited competition where initial sources were excluded, potentially impacting price discovery and overall competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may result in a higher cost to taxpayers compared to a fully open and unrestricted procurement process.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific research and technical operations for the U.S. Geological Survey. Ensures continuity of essential services within the Department of the Interior. Potential impact on the availability of specialized technical expertise for government projects.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about potential overpricing.
- Lack of transparency in source exclusion could mask better value opportunities.
- Contract duration may not align with long-term strategic needs.
Positive Signals
- Award to a company with specific expertise in technical services.
- Supports agency mission requirements for scientific and technical support.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, which is broad and encompasses a wide range of specialized expertise. Spending benchmarks in this sector vary significantly based on the specific services required.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Cherokee Nation Systems Solutions LLC. Information regarding small business subcontracting or the company's size status is not provided in this data, making it difficult to assess small business impact.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract type is a Delivery Order, indicating it's part of a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract. Oversight would typically involve monitoring performance and adherence to the terms of the base IDIQ and this specific order.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Lack of detailed service description hinders value assessment.
- Justification for source exclusion is not provided.
- Potential for cost overruns due to labor hour contract type.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-the-interior, mo, delivery-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $79,999.13 to CHEROKEE NATION SYSTEM SOLUTIONS LLC. RESEARCH IV - T. EDWARDS
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 $79,999.13.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-03-27. End: 2026-06-01.
What specific technical services are being procured, and how do they align with USGS's core mission objectives?
The contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'. While the specific services are not detailed, they are crucial for supporting the U.S. Geological Survey's scientific research, data collection, and technical operations. Understanding the precise nature of these services is key to evaluating their alignment with the agency's strategic goals and operational needs.
What was the rationale for excluding other sources, and was this exclusion justified to ensure best value?
The contract states 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES'. The rationale for excluding other sources needs to be clearly documented and justified. Without this justification, it's difficult to ascertain if the exclusion was necessary and if the selected vendor truly represents the best value proposition for the government and taxpayers.
How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar specialized technical services, and what mechanisms are in place to ensure cost-effectiveness throughout the contract period?
The award amount of $799,999.13 for 431 days needs to be benchmarked against prevailing market rates for comparable specialized technical services. The contract type (Labor Hours) suggests costs are tied to hours worked. Robust oversight and performance metrics are essential to ensure cost-effectiveness and prevent potential cost overruns.
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: $79,999
Exercised Options: $79,999
Current Obligation: $79,999
Actual Outlays: $38,336
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
Start Date: 2025-03-27
Current End Date: 2026-06-01
Potential End Date: 2026-06-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-10
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