Montana State University awarded $486K contract for precipitation sample collection services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $4,861 ($4.9K)

Contractor: Montana State University

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-02

End Date: 2027-04-02

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY USGS PRECIPITATION SAMPLE COLLECTION AT NADP-NTN SITE MT98

Place of Performance

Location: HAVRE, HILL County, MONTANA, 59501

State: Montana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $4,861 to MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY for work described as: MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY USGS PRECIPITATION SAMPLE COLLECTION AT NADP-NTN SITE MT98 Key points: 1. Contract awarded for essential environmental monitoring services. 2. Sole source award raises questions about competition and potential cost savings. 3. Long-term contract duration suggests a need for sustained service delivery. 4. Fixed-price contract type offers cost certainty for the government. 5. Service category aligns with broader scientific research and data collection efforts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $486,100 over one year appears reasonable for specialized scientific services. However, without a competitive bidding process, it is difficult to benchmark against market rates or assess if the government secured the best possible value. The fixed-price nature provides cost predictability, but the absence of competition limits the ability to verify pricing efficiency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, Montana State University, was solicited. This approach is typically used when a specific entity possesses unique capabilities or when circumstances preclude full and open competition. The lack of multiple bidders means there was no direct price comparison or negotiation driven by market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as the government does not benefit from the price reductions that competition often stimulates.

Public Impact

Benefits environmental scientists and researchers who rely on accurate precipitation data. Services delivered include sample collection at a specific National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) site (MT98). Geographic impact is focused on the specific monitoring site in Montana. Workforce implications involve specialized scientific personnel at Montana State University.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may result in suboptimal pricing.
Sole-source award requires strong justification to ensure necessity and fairness.
Long contract duration could mask inefficiencies if not actively managed.

Positive Signals

Montana State University likely possesses specialized expertise for this task.
Fixed-price contract provides budget certainty.
Contract supports critical environmental monitoring infrastructure.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically related to environmental monitoring and data collection. The National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) is a nationwide network of monitoring sites, and contracts like this support its critical function. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the scope of services and the rarity of the required expertise.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The awardee, Montana State University, is an educational institution, not typically considered a small business in the context of federal contracting. Therefore, this award has no direct positive or negative impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a division of the Department of the Interior. The agency is responsible for ensuring that Montana State University fulfills the contract requirements as specified in the purchase order. Transparency is facilitated by public contract databases, but detailed performance reviews are typically internal.

Related Government Programs

National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP)
Environmental Monitoring Services
Scientific Research Support
Federal Grant Programs for Universities

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $4,861 to MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY. MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY USGS PRECIPITATION SAMPLE COLLECTION AT NADP-NTN SITE MT98

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY.

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 $4,861.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-02. End: 2027-04-02.

What is the specific scientific expertise Montana State University brings to this precipitation sample collection contract?

Montana State University likely possesses specialized expertise in environmental science, atmospheric chemistry, and field sampling methodologies required for the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP). This includes trained personnel capable of collecting samples according to strict protocols, maintaining sensitive equipment, and ensuring the integrity of samples from collection to transport. Their established research infrastructure and academic focus on environmental issues position them as a logical choice for such a task, potentially offering a level of scientific rigor and continuity that might be harder to replicate with a purely commercial entity without prior experience in this specific network.

How does the $486,100 contract value compare to similar precipitation monitoring contracts?

Benchmarking this $486,100 contract value against similar precipitation monitoring contracts is challenging due to the sole-source nature of the award and the specific context of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP). Typically, competitive bids for environmental monitoring services can vary widely based on the number of sites, frequency of sampling, types of analyses performed, and geographic scope. Without data from other competitively awarded contracts for NADP sites or comparable federal environmental monitoring programs, it's difficult to definitively state whether this price represents excellent, fair, or questionable value for money. The fixed-price structure provides cost certainty, but the lack of competition limits external validation of its efficiency.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source award for environmental monitoring services?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source award for environmental monitoring services include potential overpayment due to the absence of competitive pressure, which can drive down prices. There's also a risk that the government might not be leveraging the most innovative or cost-effective solutions available in the market if other qualified providers were not considered. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other potential contractors. Robust justification and internal agency review are critical to mitigate these risks and ensure the award is truly necessary and in the government's best interest.

What is the historical spending pattern for precipitation sample collection services by the U.S. Geological Survey?

Analyzing historical spending patterns for precipitation sample collection services by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) requires access to detailed procurement data beyond this single award. The USGS, as part of the Department of the Interior, is involved in extensive water and environmental resource monitoring. Their spending on such services would likely fluctuate based on the number of active monitoring sites, the scope of research initiatives, and the availability of federal appropriations. Awards could be made through various mechanisms, including competitive contracts, grants to academic institutions like Montana State University, and interagency agreements. A comprehensive review would involve examining past contract databases for similar services across different fiscal years and program areas within the USGS.

How does the fixed-price contract type impact the management and oversight of this service?

A fixed-price contract type, like the one awarded to Montana State University, establishes a firm price for the defined scope of work, shifting the risk of cost overruns to the contractor. This benefits the government by providing budget certainty and predictability. For management and oversight, the focus shifts from monitoring costs to ensuring the contractor meets the specified performance standards and deliverables. The agency must diligently track the quality and timeliness of sample collection and reporting. While cost overruns are less of a concern, the agency still needs to ensure the contractor is performing efficiently and effectively to realize the best value within the agreed-upon price.

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) › MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: 140G0126Q0066

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3710 ASSINNIBOINE RD, HAVRE, MT, 59501

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $26,859

Exercised Options: $4,861

Current Obligation: $4,861

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline