Interior's USGS Awards $501K Student Service Contract to Holly Gilchrist for Veterinary Services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $50,186 ($50.2K)
Contractor: Holly Gilchrist
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-05-18
End Date: 2028-05-17
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $69/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 45
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS
Sector: Other
Official Description: STUDENT SERVICE CONTRACT HOLLY GILCHRIST
Place of Performance
Location: MADISON, DANE County, WISCONSIN, 53711
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $50,185.84 to HOLLY GILCHRIST for work described as: STUDENT SERVICE CONTRACT HOLLY GILCHRIST Key points: 1. Contract value is $501,858.84 over two years. 2. Competition was conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. The contract is for veterinary services, indicating a specialized need. 4. The award was made via Purchase Order. 5. The contract is not set aside for small businesses.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $501,858.84 for two years of veterinary services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of the work. Benchmarking against similar government contracts for veterinary services would provide a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of offers. While this method can be efficient for smaller procurements, it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: The total taxpayer impact is the contract value of $501,858.84. The use of SAP suggests a balance between efficiency and cost-effectiveness for this procurement amount.
Public Impact
Ensures continued access to essential veterinary services for government operations. Supports specialized scientific research or animal care needs within the USGS. The contract's duration of two years provides stability for service provision.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition under SAP may not guarantee the best price.
- Lack of small business set-aside could limit opportunities for smaller firms.
Positive Signals
- Contract addresses a specific, necessary service.
- Clear end date provides budget certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under professional services, specifically veterinary services, which are crucial for agencies like the U.S. Geological Survey that may conduct research involving animals or require specialized animal care. Spending in this niche sector is generally driven by agency-specific needs rather than broad market trends.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not set aside for small businesses, meaning it was open to all eligible offerors, including large businesses. This approach may limit opportunities for small businesses to compete for this specific contract.
Oversight & Accountability
The award was made via a Purchase Order under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, which generally have streamlined oversight. Further review of the specific SAP procedures followed would be needed to assess accountability.
Related Government Programs
- Veterinary Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Lack of small business consideration.
- Transparency of SAP pricing justification could be improved.
- Specific service details are not readily available.
Tags
veterinary-services, department-of-the-interior, wi, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $50,185.84 to HOLLY GILCHRIST. STUDENT SERVICE CONTRACT HOLLY GILCHRIST
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is HOLLY GILCHRIST.
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 $50,185.84.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-05-18. End: 2028-05-17.
What specific veterinary services are being procured, and how do they align with the USGS's mission?
The contract specifies 'Veterinary Services' (NAICS 541940). While the exact nature of these services isn't detailed, they likely support the U.S. Geological Survey's research activities, which can include studies involving animals, environmental monitoring, or biological resource management. Understanding the precise requirements would clarify the necessity and value of this procurement to the agency's scientific objectives.
What was the pricing strategy used during the limited competition under SAP?
Under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), pricing is typically determined through market research and comparison with similar services or by obtaining quotes from a limited number of sources. The agency likely assessed the reasonableness of Holly Gilchrist's pricing against benchmarks or quotes received. The 'br' value of 69 might indicate a benchmark or rating related to price, but its exact meaning requires further context.
How does the duration and value of this contract compare to similar veterinary service contracts awarded by federal agencies?
This contract, valued at approximately $501,858 over two years, represents a moderate investment for specialized veterinary services. Without access to a comprehensive database of similar federal veterinary service contracts, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the duration suggests a need for ongoing support rather than a one-time requirement, and the value appears consistent with the specialized expertise and labor hours involved.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Veterinary Services
Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 140G0226P0034
Offers Received: 45
Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3116 CONCORD CT, NORTHBROOK, IL, 60062
Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $50,186
Exercised Options: $50,186
Current Obligation: $50,186
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-05-18
Current End Date: 2028-05-17
Potential End Date: 2028-05-17 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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