Interior's USGS Awards $433K Environmental Consulting Contract to Layla Unzueta
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $43,285 ($43.3K)
Contractor: Layla Unzueta
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-02
End Date: 2028-04-01
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $59/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: NEW STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - LAYLA UNZUETA
Place of Performance
Location: GAINESVILLE, ALACHUA County, FLORIDA, 32653
State: Florida Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $43,284.8 to LAYLA UNZUETA for work described as: NEW STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - LAYLA UNZUETA Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Layla Unzueta for environmental consulting. 2. The contract is valued at $432,848 and spans two years. 3. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a focus on smaller procurements. 4. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the contracting agency. 5. The contract is for environmental consulting services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $432,848 for two years of environmental consulting services appears reasonable for specialized services. However, without specific details on the scope of work and deliverables, a precise pricing assessment against similar contracts is difficult.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a limited competition environment, likely due to the contract value falling below certain thresholds. This method may limit price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is likely minimal given the relatively small contract value, but ensuring fair pricing through effective competition is still important.
Public Impact
Environmental consulting services support the U.S. Geological Survey's scientific and mapping missions. The contract duration of two years provides continuity for essential environmental services. Awarding to a specific entity, Layla Unzueta, suggests specialized expertise is being sought. The use of SAP indicates a streamlined procurement process for this contract size.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Lack of detailed scope of work for pricing validation.
Positive Signals
- Contract supports critical USGS environmental missions.
- Two-year duration ensures service continuity.
Sector Analysis
Environmental consulting services are crucial for government agencies like the USGS to manage natural resources, conduct research, and ensure regulatory compliance. Spending in this sector can vary widely based on project scope and agency needs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not specify if Layla Unzueta is a small business. If it is, this contract could contribute to small business goals. However, the procurement method (SAP) might not be optimized for maximizing small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would involve ensuring Layla Unzueta meets contractual obligations, delivers quality environmental consulting services, and adheres to the terms of the purchase order. The Department of the Interior's internal controls should monitor performance and payment.
Related Government Programs
- Environmental Consulting Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited price competition due to SAP.
- Lack of detailed scope of work for comprehensive analysis.
- Uncertainty regarding small business status of the awardee.
- Need for clear performance metrics to ensure effectiveness.
Tags
environmental-consulting-services, department-of-the-interior, fl, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $43,284.8 to LAYLA UNZUETA. NEW STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - LAYLA UNZUETA
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is LAYLA UNZUETA.
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 $43,284.8.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2028-04-01.
What specific environmental consulting services are included in this contract, and how do they align with the USGS's core mission objectives?
The contract specifies 'Environmental Consulting Services' but lacks granular detail. These services likely support the USGS's mandate in areas such as geological hazard assessment, water resource management, or environmental impact studies for scientific projects. A clear alignment would involve ensuring the contracted services directly contribute to data collection, analysis, or reporting crucial for the USGS's scientific and mapping endeavors.
What is the justification for using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this $433K contract, and what are the potential risks to price competition?
SAP is typically used for procurements under the simplified acquisition threshold (often $250,000, though this can vary). Using SAP for a $433K contract suggests it may have been broken down or that specific exceptions apply. The primary risk to price competition is that SAP procedures are less rigorous than those for larger contracts, potentially limiting the number of bidders and the depth of price analysis, which could lead to suboptimal pricing.
How will the effectiveness of Layla Unzueta's environmental consulting services be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?
Effectiveness will be measured through performance metrics outlined in the purchase order, such as timely delivery of reports, quality of analysis, adherence to project scope, and client satisfaction from the USGS. Regular progress reviews and final acceptance of deliverables by the contracting officer are key mechanisms. Ensuring clear, measurable objectives from the outset is crucial for validating the value received.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 4
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 821 N LAKE HOWARD DR, WINTER HAVEN, FL, 33881
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $225,000
Exercised Options: $225,000
Current Obligation: $43,285
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-02
Current End Date: 2028-04-01
Potential End Date: 2028-04-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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