Interior's $23M University Contract for Zircon Analyses: 2-Year Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $23,000 ($23.0K)
Contractor: THE University of British Columbia
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-05-20
End Date: 2026-05-20
Contract Duration: 730 days
Daily Burn Rate: $32/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ZIRCON ANALYSES
Place of Performance
Location: SPOKANE, SPOKANE County, WASHINGTON, 99201
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $23,000 to THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA for work described as: ZIRCON ANALYSES Key points: 1. Value: $23 million over two years represents a significant investment in specialized scientific analysis. 2. Competition: Competed under SAP suggests a streamlined process, but details on the number of bidders are needed. 3. Risk: Firm Fixed Price mitigates cost overrun risk for the government, but scope creep could be an issue. 4. Sector: Higher education institutions are key partners for specialized research and analytical services.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $23 million contract over two years averages $11.5 million annually. Benchmarking against similar large-scale analytical contracts with universities is difficult without more specific service details. However, the scale suggests a substantial need for these specialized services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP,' indicating a simplified acquisition procedure. While this can expedite the process, it may limit the pool of potential bidders compared to full and open competition, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm fixed price structure helps control costs, but the ultimate taxpayer impact depends on the efficiency and necessity of the analyses performed.
Public Impact
Supports critical scientific research and data collection for the U.S. Geological Survey. Leverages academic expertise for specialized analytical services, fostering university-government partnerships. Potential for findings to inform resource management, environmental studies, and geological assessments.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition details under SAP.
- Potential for scope creep despite FFP.
- Lack of specific performance metrics.
Positive Signals
- Firm Fixed Price contract type.
- Utilizes academic expertise.
- Long-term engagement (2 years).
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the higher education and professional services sector, specifically supporting scientific research. Spending benchmarks for specialized geological analyses are highly variable, but $23 million over two years indicates a substantial and ongoing requirement.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to The University of British Columbia, a large academic institution, not a small business. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses within this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is managed by the Department of the Interior's U.S. Geological Survey. Oversight will likely focus on the delivery of analytical results and adherence to the contract terms. The firm fixed price nature simplifies some financial oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of detailed competition information.
- Potential for unaddressed scope creep.
- Absence of defined performance metrics.
- No clear small business participation.
Tags
colleges-universities-and-professional-s, department-of-the-interior, wa, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $23,000 to THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA. ZIRCON ANALYSES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.
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 $23,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-05-20. End: 2026-05-20.
What specific types of zircon analyses are being conducted, and how do these align with the USGS's core mission and current research priorities?
The specific types of zircon analyses are not detailed in the provided data. However, zircon dating and analysis are crucial for understanding geological history, mineral resources, and the timing of geological events. For the USGS, this could support mineral resource assessments, geological mapping, and research into Earth's formation and evolution. Aligning these analyses with current priorities would require examining the USGS's strategic research plans and active projects.
What was the estimated cost of these services prior to competition, and how did the awarded price compare to that estimate?
The provided data does not include pre-competition cost estimates or details on the bidding process beyond 'COMPETED UNDER SAP.' Without this information, it's impossible to assess how effectively the competition drove down costs or if the awarded price represents good value. Further investigation into the solicitation documents would be needed to determine the estimated cost and the number of bids received.
Are there established metrics or deliverables to measure the effectiveness and scientific impact of the zircon analyses performed under this contract?
The data does not specify performance metrics or deliverables for this contract. While the firm fixed price and duration provide some structure, the effectiveness and scientific impact are not explicitly defined. It is crucial for the USGS to have clear objectives and methods for evaluating the quality, timeliness, and ultimate utility of the analytical results to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently and yield valuable scientific outcomes.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Educational Services › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools › Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
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
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 224-6328 MEMORIAL RD, VANCOUVER
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Educational Institution, Foreign Owned, Higher Education, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $23,000
Exercised Options: $23,000
Current Obligation: $23,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-05-20
Current End Date: 2026-05-20
Potential End Date: 2026-05-20 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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