Interior's USGS Awards $22.5M Contract for R&D Services to Ryan Fontenot
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,503 ($22.5K)
Contractor: Ryan Fontenot
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2028-04-12
Contract Duration: 733 days
Daily Burn Rate: $31/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: R&D
Official Description: NEW STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - RYAN FONTENOT
Place of Performance
Location: LAFAYETTE, LAFAYETTE County, LOUISIANA, 70506
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $22,503.11 to RYAN FONTENOT for work described as: NEW STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - RYAN FONTENOT Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 2. Ryan Fontenot, a single entity, is the awardee. 3. The contract is valued at $22.5 million over approximately two years. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 5. The specific scientific focus is within NAICS code 541715.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $22.5 million for approximately two years of R&D services appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized research. Benchmarking against similar R&D contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, which typically involves simplified procedures and may limit the number of potential offerors. This method can lead to less price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized R&D services. The efficiency of the procurement method under SAP will impact the overall value for money.
Public Impact
Supports scientific research and development within the U.S. Geological Survey. Potential for advancements in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Contract duration extends into 2028, indicating ongoing research needs. Awarded to a single entity, Ryan Fontenot, based in Louisiana.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Lack of detailed service description for benchmarking.
- Potential for cost overruns if scope is not well-defined.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical R&D mission of USGS.
- Contract awarded to a specific entity for specialized services.
- Clear end date provides budget certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Research and Development sector, specifically within physical, engineering, and life sciences. Spending in this sector is crucial for innovation but can be challenging to benchmark due to the unique nature of research projects.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if Ryan Fontenot is a small business. The contract was competed under SAP, which can sometimes favor small businesses, but this is not explicitly stated.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the R&D services meet the USGS's objectives and that costs remain within the awarded amount. The purchase order mechanism suggests a degree of administrative oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited price competition.
- Lack of detailed service scope for robust evaluation.
- Reliance on SAP may not yield the best value.
- Uncertainty regarding small business participation.
Tags
research-and-development-in-the-physical, department-of-the-interior, la, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $22,503.11 to RYAN FONTENOT. NEW STUDENT SERVICES CONTRACT - RYAN FONTENOT
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is RYAN FONTENOT.
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 $22,503.11.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2028-04-12.
What specific research outcomes are expected from this $22.5 million contract, and how will their achievement be measured to ensure value for taxpayer money?
The expected research outcomes are not detailed in the provided data. Measuring achievement would typically involve defined milestones, deliverables, and scientific review processes. The USGS would need to establish clear performance metrics and reporting requirements to ensure the contract delivers tangible scientific advancements and justifies the $22.5 million investment.
Given the limited competition under SAP, what steps were taken to ensure the pricing proposed by Ryan Fontenot represents a fair and reasonable cost for the specialized R&D services?
Under SAP, agencies often rely on price analysis of the offered price against historical prices for similar items or services, or comparison to a government estimate. For specialized R&D, this might involve reviewing the vendor's cost breakdown or comparing to industry benchmarks if available. However, the limited competition inherently reduces the robustness of price discovery.
How does the U.S. Geological Survey plan to monitor the progress and effectiveness of the R&D services provided by Ryan Fontenot to ensure alignment with scientific goals?
The USGS will likely assign a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) to oversee the contract. The COR would be responsible for monitoring performance, reviewing progress reports, ensuring adherence to the scope of work, and facilitating communication. Regular technical reviews and milestone assessments would be critical to gauge effectiveness and ensure alignment with the agency's scientific objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
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: 3
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1957 L ANSE MEG RD, MAMOU, LA, 70554
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: $22,503
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2028-04-12
Potential End Date: 2028-04-12 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-13
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