Interior's USGS Awards $49.9M Contract for Technical Services to Patrick Kaltenbacher
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,866 ($49.9K)
Contractor: Patrick Kaltenbacher
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-08-19
End Date: 2026-08-18
Contract Duration: 729 days
Daily Burn Rate: $68/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PATRICK KALTENBACHER - SSC
Place of Performance
Location: DENVER, ARAPAHOE County, COLORADO, 80012
State: Colorado Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $49,865.5 to PATRICK KALTENBACHER for work described as: PATRICK KALTENBACHER - SSC Key points: 1. Contract value of $49.9 million over two years. 2. Awarded to Patrick Kaltenbacher, a single entity. 3. Competition method is 'COMPETED UNDER SAP', indicating potential limitations. 4. Services fall under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $49.9 million for two years suggests a significant investment. Benchmarking against similar professional, scientific, and technical services contracts is necessary to assess if this pricing is competitive.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves smaller dollar thresholds and may limit the scope of competition. This method can impact price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being utilized for professional and technical services. The effectiveness of the competition method in securing the best value for taxpayers is a key consideration.
Public Impact
Potential impact on scientific research and data collection by the U.S. Geological Survey. Ensures continuity of essential professional, scientific, and technical services. Questions about the extent of competition may affect public trust in government procurement.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 68 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to SAP.
- Single awardee raises questions about market availability.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Contract supports critical USGS functions.
- Fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' sector is broad, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. Spending in this area often supports government research, analysis, and operational needs. Benchmarks vary widely based on the specific services procured.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates that this contract was not awarded to a small business (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities were missed to engage small businesses in this procurement.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight will be crucial to ensure the contractor delivers services as specified and that the pricing remains fair throughout the contract duration. The use of SAP warrants scrutiny to confirm it was appropriate for the scope and value.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition.
- Potential for higher costs due to SAP.
- No small business participation.
- Lack of detailed service description.
- Awardee is a single entity, raising market concentration questions.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-the-interior, co, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $49,865.5 to PATRICK KALTENBACHER. PATRICK KALTENBACHER - SSC
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PATRICK KALTENBACHER.
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 $49,865.5.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-08-19. End: 2026-08-18.
What specific services are included under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' for this contract, and how do they align with USGS's mission?
The specific services are not detailed in the provided data, but this category typically includes a wide array of specialized support such as scientific consulting, data analysis, technical writing, and research support. For the USGS, these services likely contribute to geological mapping, natural hazard assessment, water resource monitoring, and other core scientific endeavors critical to understanding and managing the nation's resources.
Given the 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation, what is the justification for not pursuing a broader competition, and what is the potential price impact?
Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are generally used for purchases below certain thresholds, intended to streamline the process for smaller procurements. If this contract's value ($49.9M) exceeds typical SAP limits, or if the scope could have attracted more bidders, the justification needs to be clear. Limited competition often results in less favorable pricing for the government, as fewer vendors compete, potentially leading to higher costs than under full and open competition.
How will the performance of Patrick Kaltenbacher be monitored to ensure effective delivery of services and value for taxpayer money?
Effective monitoring will involve clear performance metrics defined in the contract, regular progress reports from the contractor, and active oversight by designated government personnel within the U.S. Geological Survey. Key performance indicators should track service quality, timeliness, and adherence to technical specifications. Any deviations or performance issues should be addressed promptly through contract management channels to ensure accountability and value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
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
Solicitation ID: 140G0224P0199
Offers Received: 6
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2700 DECATUR ST APT 222, DENVER, CO, 80211
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,866
Exercised Options: $49,866
Current Obligation: $49,866
Actual Outlays: $35,766
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-08-19
Current End Date: 2026-08-18
Potential End Date: 2026-08-18 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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