Interior's USGS Awards $281K Contract for Student Services to Sarah McQueen
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $28,106 ($28.1K)
Contractor: Sarah Thompson Mcqueen
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2028-04-12
Contract Duration: 740 days
Daily Burn Rate: $38/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - SARAH MCQUEEN
Place of Performance
Location: TUSCALOOSA, TUSCALOOSA County, ALABAMA, 35401
State: Alabama Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $28,106.4 to SARAH THOMPSON MCQUEEN for work described as: STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - SARAH MCQUEEN Key points: 1. Contract value is modest at $281,064. 2. Competition method is 'Competed under SAP', suggesting a streamlined process. 3. Risk appears low due to small contract value and specific service type. 4. Sector is Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $281,064 for student services appears reasonable given the duration and labor hours. Benchmarking against similar professional services contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'Competed under SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a competition among a limited number of vendors. This method is suitable for smaller dollar amounts but may not yield the best price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The taxpayer impact is minimal due to the relatively small contract value.
Public Impact
Supports educational initiatives within the U.S. Geological Survey. Provides specialized professional, scientific, and technical services. Contract duration extends over two years, ensuring continuity of services.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition due to SAP.
- Lack of detailed service description.
Positive Signals
- Clear contract end date.
- Specific agency and sub-agency identified.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector. Spending in this sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. Benchmarks vary significantly based on the specific service provided.
Small Business Impact
The contract does not indicate any specific set-aside for small businesses, nor does it specify if the awardee is a small business. Further analysis would be needed to determine small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight would typically be managed by the U.S. Geological Survey contracting office. The use of a Purchase Order suggests a standard procurement process, but detailed oversight mechanisms are not specified.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition.
- Lack of detailed service description.
- Contract value slightly exceeds standard SAP threshold.
- No clear indication of small business participation.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-the-interior, al, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $28,106.4 to SARAH THOMPSON MCQUEEN. STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - SARAH MCQUEEN
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SARAH THOMPSON MCQUEEN.
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 $28,106.4.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2028-04-12.
What specific student services are being procured under this contract?
The data provided categorizes this as 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' and 'Student Services Contract'. Without further details, the exact nature of the services remains unclear. This could range from administrative support for student programs to specialized research assistance or internships.
What is the justification for using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for this contract?
SAP is typically used for acquisitions valued below the simplified acquisition threshold (currently $250,000). The contract value of $281,064 is slightly above this threshold, which raises a question about the appropriateness of SAP. There might be specific exceptions or justifications for its use in this instance, or the threshold may have been different at the time of procurement.
How does the pricing compare to market rates for similar professional services?
A direct comparison of pricing is difficult without knowing the specific services rendered and the qualifications of the personnel involved. The contract is for labor hours, and the rate per hour would be the key metric. Benchmarking against industry standards for similar professional services would be necessary to assess value for money.
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: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2104 ISLAND DR, MONROE, LA, 71201
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: $28,106
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2028-04-12
Potential End Date: 2028-04-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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