Interior's USGS awards $23,871 contract for Guam Magnetic Observatory support services to Katsuyoshi Uchima

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $23,871 ($23.9K)

Contractor: Katsuyoshi Uchima

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-07-31

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,157 days

Daily Burn Rate: $21/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: USGS GUAM MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY SUPPORT SERVICE - KATSUYOSHI UCHIMA

Place of Performance

Location: DENVER, JEFFERSON County, COLORADO, 80225

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $23,871 to KATSUYOSHI UCHIMA for work described as: USGS GUAM MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY SUPPORT SERVICE - KATSUYOSHI UCHIMA Key points: 1. Contract value is relatively small, suggesting a focused scope of services. 2. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a streamlined procurement process. 3. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 4. Contract duration of approximately three years provides stability for service delivery. 5. Limited publicly available data makes in-depth performance assessment challenging. 6. Geographic location in Guam presents unique logistical considerations for service provision.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $23,871 is modest, making direct comparisons to larger contracts difficult. Given the fixed-price nature and the specific services likely required for a magnetic observatory, the pricing appears reasonable for a specialized, short-term support role. However, without detailed service descriptions or benchmarks for similar observatory support, a definitive value-for-money assessment is limited.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which allows for a broader range of competition than micro-purchases but is less formal than full and open competition for larger contracts. While the specific number of bidders is not detailed, SAP aims to encourage competition among qualified vendors. This approach balances efficiency with the opportunity for multiple offers.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP for this contract likely resulted in competitive pricing, benefiting taxpayers by ensuring the government received fair market value for the specialized services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiary is the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and its scientific mission. Services support the operational continuity of the Guam Magnetic Observatory. Geographic impact is localized to Guam, ensuring critical scientific infrastructure remains functional. Workforce implications are likely minimal, potentially involving a small number of specialized personnel.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics makes it difficult to gauge contractor effectiveness.
Limited transparency on the specific services rendered and their criticality.
Potential for increased costs if unforeseen issues arise requiring additional support beyond the initial scope.

Positive Signals

Fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Awarded through a competitive process, suggesting potential for good value.
Contract duration offers a stable period for service delivery.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. Support services for scientific observatories are niche, often requiring specialized expertise. Benchmarking is difficult due to the unique nature of magnetic observatories and their specific operational needs. Spending in this sub-sector is generally characterized by smaller, specialized contracts rather than large-scale procurements.

Small Business Impact

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures and does not indicate a specific small business set-aside. There is no information provided regarding subcontracting plans. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is not clearly defined by this award alone.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior. As a purchase order, it is subject to standard procurement regulations and internal agency oversight. Transparency is limited due to the nature of SAP procurements and the specific details of the services provided.

Related Government Programs

USGS Scientific Support Services
Geophysical Monitoring Contracts
Federal Observatory Maintenance
Department of the Interior IT and Technical Services

Risk Flags

Limited contractor performance data available.
Geographic remoteness may introduce logistical challenges.
Scope of services not fully detailed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $23,871 to KATSUYOSHI UCHIMA. USGS GUAM MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY SUPPORT SERVICE - KATSUYOSHI UCHIMA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KATSUYOSHI UCHIMA.

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 $23,871.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-07-31. End: 2026-09-30.

What specific services does Katsuyoshi Uchima provide under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'USGS GUAM MAGNETIC OBSERVATORY SUPPORT SERVICE'. While the exact nature of the services is not detailed, it likely encompasses maintenance, calibration, data collection assistance, or other operational support critical for the functioning of a magnetic observatory. These services could range from routine equipment checks and minor repairs to specialized technical assistance required for the sensitive instruments used in geomagnetic field measurement. The contract's value and duration suggest a focused scope, possibly addressing specific needs rather than comprehensive facility management.

How does the contract value of $23,871 compare to similar support services for scientific observatories?

Direct comparison of this $23,871 contract value to similar support services for scientific observatories is challenging due to the specialized nature of magnetic observatories and the limited public data on such niche procurements. Generally, support services for scientific infrastructure can vary widely based on the complexity of the equipment, the geographic location, and the scope of work (e.g., routine maintenance vs. specialized technical expertise). This contract's value suggests a limited scope, potentially for a specific task or a short-term need, rather than a comprehensive, long-term operational support agreement. Larger observatories or those with more complex instrumentation might incur significantly higher support costs.

What are the potential risks associated with this contract?

Potential risks include the contractor's ability to provide specialized expertise required for magnetic observatory support, especially given the limited information available about the awardee. Logistical challenges associated with service delivery to Guam could also pose a risk, potentially impacting timeliness or increasing costs if not managed effectively. Furthermore, the fixed-price nature, while offering cost certainty, could become a risk if unforeseen technical issues or service requirements arise that exceed the initial scope, potentially leading to a need for contract modifications or additional funding requests.

What is the track record of Katsuyoshi Uchima as a federal contractor?

Based on the provided data, Katsuyoshi Uchima is listed as the contractor. However, the data does not include historical contract information, past performance ratings, or details about previous federal awards for this entity. Therefore, assessing Katsuyoshi Uchima's track record as a federal contractor is not possible with the information given. Further investigation into federal procurement databases would be necessary to understand their history, reliability, and performance on prior government contracts.

How does the geographic location in Guam impact the contract's execution and cost?

The contract's execution in Guam presents unique logistical considerations that can influence both the delivery of services and associated costs. Guam is a remote island territory, meaning travel, shipping of materials or equipment, and communication may be more complex and expensive compared to domestic locations. This could affect the contractor's ability to respond to urgent needs, the cost of personnel deployment, and the procurement of necessary supplies. The USGS would likely factor these logistical challenges into the contract's scope and pricing, potentially requiring the contractor to have established local capabilities or robust logistical planning.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Services to Buildings and Dwellings › Other Services to Buildings and Dwellings

Product/Service Code: UTILITIES AND HOUSEKEEPING › HOUSEKEEPING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140G0223Q0142

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: A302 UNIVERSITY GARDENS, MANGILAO, GU, 96913

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,900

Exercised Options: $23,871

Current Obligation: $23,871

Actual Outlays: $18,461

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline