Interior's USGS awards $5.16M contract for oil and gas well drilling services to Timothy R. George

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,158 ($5.2K)

Contractor: Timothy R George

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2028-04-14

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $7/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: STUDENT SERVICE CONTRACT- GEORGE

Place of Performance

Location: HERNDON, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 20192

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5,157.6 to TIMOTHY R GEORGE for work described as: STUDENT SERVICE CONTRACT- GEORGE Key points: 1. Contract awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for fair pricing. 2. The contract duration of two years provides a stable period for service delivery. 3. Focus on drilling oil and gas wells indicates a specialized service requirement. 4. Awarded as a purchase order, typically used for simpler, lower-value acquisitions. 5. The contractor, Timothy R. George, is the sole awardee for this specific requirement. 6. Service location in Virginia may have implications for local workforce and resources.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this $5.16 million contract for drilling oil and gas wells is challenging without specific performance metrics or comparable contract data. The award is a purchase order, which generally implies a less complex or lower-risk acquisition compared to larger, more formal contract vehicles. The pricing will be influenced by the specific scope of work, location, and market conditions for drilling services at the time of award. Further analysis would require understanding the unit rates and the total estimated labor hours to compare against industry benchmarks.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating a full and open competition process for acquisitions below a certain dollar threshold. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, the use of SAP suggests that multiple offers were solicited and considered. This competitive approach is intended to ensure that the government receives the best value by allowing various qualified contractors to submit proposals.

Taxpayer Impact: A competed award under simplified procedures generally benefits taxpayers by fostering price competition and encouraging efficient service delivery. This process helps to prevent overpayment and ensures that public funds are used judiciously.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) benefits from this contract by securing essential services for its geological and resource assessment activities. Services delivered include the drilling of oil and gas wells, crucial for scientific research and data collection. The geographic impact is primarily in Virginia, where the drilling activities will take place. Potential workforce implications include the utilization of skilled labor for drilling operations, possibly benefiting local employment in Virginia.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to assess the contractor's past performance and future effectiveness.
The specific scope of work for 'Drilling Oil and Gas Wells' is broad and may require further clarification to ensure alignment with USGS objectives.
Reliance on a single awardee for this purchase order, even if competed, warrants monitoring for potential single-source dependency if follow-on work is needed.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through a competitive process, indicating an effort to secure fair market value.
The two-year duration provides a reasonable timeframe for project completion and service continuity.
The award to Timothy R. George suggests the contractor meets the necessary qualifications for specialized drilling services.

Sector Analysis

The oil and gas drilling sector is a critical component of the energy industry, involving specialized equipment and expertise. Contracts for drilling services can range from exploration and extraction to environmental remediation and scientific research. The U.S. Geological Survey's need for well drilling likely pertains to geological surveying, resource assessment, or environmental monitoring, rather than commercial production. Benchmarking this contract's value would involve comparing its terms and pricing against other government or commercial contracts for similar specialized drilling operations, considering factors like depth, diameter, geological conditions, and regulatory compliance.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans was not explicitly provided for this contract. As it was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), there may be different considerations for small business participation compared to larger, more formal solicitations. Further investigation into the specific SAP solicitation details would be needed to determine any small business impact or goals associated with this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the U.S. Geological Survey's program management and contracting officials within the Department of the Interior. Accountability measures would be tied to the terms and conditions of the purchase order, including deliverables, timelines, and quality standards. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases, though specific operational oversight details are often internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

Department of the Interior - Geological Survey Contracts
Oil and Gas Exploration and Drilling Services
Federal Purchase Orders
Simplified Acquisition Procedures Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for unforeseen geological conditions impacting cost and schedule.
Need for detailed performance monitoring to ensure quality and compliance.
Limited information on contractor's past performance.
Environmental considerations related to drilling operations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5,157.6 to TIMOTHY R GEORGE. STUDENT SERVICE CONTRACT- GEORGE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is TIMOTHY R GEORGE.

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 $5,157.6.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-15. End: 2028-04-14.

What is the specific scope of work and expected deliverables for the 'Drilling Oil and Gas Wells' contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'Drilling Oil and Gas Wells' awarded to Timothy R. George by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). However, the specific scope of work, including the number of wells to be drilled, their intended depth, geological formations to be penetrated, and the purpose (e.g., scientific research, resource assessment, environmental monitoring), is not detailed in the summary data. Expected deliverables would likely include completed wells meeting specific technical and safety standards, along with associated geological data, logs, and reports. A comprehensive understanding of the deliverables is crucial for assessing the contract's value and performance.

How does the $5.16 million contract value compare to similar USGS or other agency contracts for well drilling services?

Comparing the $5.16 million value requires access to a database of similar contracts awarded by the USGS or other federal agencies for well drilling services. Factors influencing cost include the geographic location, geological complexity, depth of wells, diameter, and the specific type of drilling required (e.g., exploratory, monitoring, production). Without specific benchmarks for comparable projects, it is difficult to definitively state whether this contract represents excellent, fair, or questionable value. The fact that it was competed under SAP suggests it falls within a range considered for simplified acquisitions, which might imply a moderate scale or complexity relative to larger, sole-source, or more complexly competed contracts.

What is the track record of Timothy R. George as a federal contractor, particularly in drilling services?

The provided data identifies Timothy R. George as the contractor but does not include information on their track record, past performance ratings, or history with federal contracts. To assess this aspect, one would need to consult federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), and any reported issues or successes. A contractor's history is a key indicator of their reliability, quality of work, and ability to meet contractual obligations, which is essential for evaluating the risk associated with this award.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract, and what mitigation strategies are in place?

Potential risks for a well drilling contract include unforeseen geological conditions, environmental hazards, equipment failures, delays in permitting, and cost overruns. Given the nature of drilling, unexpected subsurface conditions can significantly impact project timelines and budgets. The mitigation strategies would typically involve detailed site assessments, robust contract language specifying responsibilities for unforeseen conditions, contingency planning, adherence to strict safety and environmental protocols, and close project oversight by the contracting agency. The competitive nature of the award may also mitigate some risks by selecting a contractor with a proven ability to manage such projects effectively.

How does this contract align with the U.S. Geological Survey's broader mission and strategic objectives?

The U.S. Geological Survey's mission encompasses understanding the Earth's resources and natural hazards. Drilling oil and gas wells, even if for scientific purposes rather than extraction, directly supports USGS objectives related to geological mapping, resource assessment (including energy resources), groundwater studies, and potentially seismic monitoring or geothermal energy research. This contract likely contributes to the collection of critical subsurface data necessary for scientific modeling, policy development, and public information dissemination regarding the nation's geological landscape and resources.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction › Support Activities for Mining › Drilling Oil and Gas Wells

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 43524 CLIVEDON CT, ASHBURN, VA, 20147

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $49,000

Exercised Options: $49,000

Current Obligation: $5,158

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline