Interior's $12M contract for scientific services awarded to Eleanor Leugers, a sole proprietor

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,982 ($12.0K)

Contractor: Eleanor Leugers

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-15

End Date: 2028-04-14

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $16/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: SSC ELEANOR LEUGERS - FIELD WORK

Place of Performance

Location: CORVALLIS, BENTON County, OREGON, 97331

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $11,981.64 to ELEANOR LEUGERS for work described as: SSC ELEANOR LEUGERS - FIELD WORK Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the specialized nature of scientific fieldwork. 2. Competition dynamics are limited, with a single awardee suggesting potential for higher costs. 3. Risk indicators include reliance on a single individual for critical services. 4. Performance context is tied to ongoing scientific data collection and analysis. 5. Sector positioning is within professional, scientific, and technical services for geological surveys.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $11.98 million over two years for specialized field services is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the tasks performed. However, awarding a significant sum to a single proprietor for professional services warrants scrutiny regarding the scope and necessity of such a large award. Comparisons to similar contracts for geological fieldwork or scientific support would be beneficial to assess if the pricing is competitive.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves fewer bidders than full and open competition. While the data indicates two offers were received, the specific competition level and the extent of outreach to potential offerors are not detailed. Limited competition can sometimes lead to less favorable pricing for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition may mean taxpayers did not benefit from the most competitive pricing achievable through a broader outreach.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey benefits from specialized scientific fieldwork and data collection. Services delivered likely include on-site data gathering, analysis, and reporting for geological projects. Geographic impact is focused on Oregon, where the fieldwork is presumably conducted. Workforce implications are minimal, as the award is to a sole proprietor, suggesting limited direct job creation beyond the individual.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Reliance on a sole proprietor for a multi-million dollar contract could pose a risk if the individual becomes unavailable.
Limited competition may have resulted in a higher price than if more vendors had participated.
The specific nature of 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' is broad and could mask potential performance issues.

Positive Signals

The award to a single proprietor could indicate a highly specialized skill set or a long-standing relationship for specific tasks.
The contract duration of two years provides stability for ongoing scientific work.
The award was made under a competed process, even if limited.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically supporting geological research and fieldwork. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often involves project-based work. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve analyzing contracts for similar scientific support services, environmental consulting, or geological surveying across various federal agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and the awardee is a sole proprietor, indicating it is a small business. However, the lack of specific subcontracting requirements means there is no direct mechanism to ensure broader small business participation through this specific award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight would primarily fall under the U.S. Geological Survey's program management. Transparency is moderate, as the award details are publicly available. Accountability measures would be tied to the performance deliverables outlined in the contract. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Geological Survey Research and Development
Scientific Data Collection Services
Environmental Consulting Contracts
Federal Field Operations Support

Risk Flags

Sole Proprietor Dependency
Limited Competition Risk
Broad Service Category

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $11,981.64 to ELEANOR LEUGERS. SSC ELEANOR LEUGERS - FIELD WORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is ELEANOR LEUGERS.

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 $11,981.64.

What is the period of performance?

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

What is the specific nature of the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' provided under this contract?

The contract NAICS code 541990, 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' is a broad category. For this specific contract with Eleanor Leugers, the services likely pertain to specialized fieldwork, data collection, analysis, and reporting related to geological surveys within Oregon. Without further details from the contract statement of work, it's challenging to pinpoint the exact tasks. However, given the awarding agency (U.S. Geological Survey) and the location (Oregon), it could involve tasks such as geological mapping, environmental sampling, seismic monitoring, or resource assessment. The 'Field Work' designation in the data suggests a significant on-site component.

How does the $11.98 million contract value compare to similar geological fieldwork contracts awarded by the Department of the Interior?

Benchmarking this $11.98 million contract requires access to a comprehensive database of similar geological fieldwork contracts. Generally, contracts of this magnitude for specialized scientific services can be considered substantial. However, the value is highly dependent on the duration, scope, and complexity of the fieldwork. Contracts for large-scale geological surveys, environmental impact studies, or resource exploration projects can easily reach millions of dollars. Without specific comparable contract data for similar services in Oregon or for the U.S. Geological Survey, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents high or low value. The fact that it's awarded to a sole proprietor for a significant sum might suggest a unique or highly specialized niche.

What are the primary risks associated with awarding a contract of this size to a sole proprietor?

The primary risk associated with awarding a contract of $11.98 million to a sole proprietor is dependency. If the individual becomes incapacitated, retires, or is otherwise unable to perform the contracted services, the government could face significant disruption to its operations. Continuity of services is a major concern. Additionally, a sole proprietor may have limited resources and infrastructure compared to a larger firm, potentially impacting scalability or the ability to handle unforeseen challenges. While sole proprietors can offer specialized expertise, the government must have contingency plans in place to mitigate the risk of service interruption.

What is the historical spending pattern for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' by the U.S. Geological Survey?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns for NAICS code 541990 by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) would reveal trends in their reliance on external providers for a broad range of professional, scientific, and technical services. Typically, agencies like the USGS utilize such codes for specialized expertise not available in-house, including environmental consulting, laboratory analysis, data processing, and specific field research support. A review of past spending would indicate whether this $11.98 million award is an outlier, a consistent investment, or an increase in outsourcing for these types of services. It would also shed light on the typical contract sizes and awardees within this category.

What does the limited competition (2 offers) imply for the potential cost-effectiveness for taxpayers?

Limited competition, such as the two offers received for this contract, generally implies a reduced likelihood of achieving the most cost-effective outcome for taxpayers. When only a few vendors participate, the government has less leverage to negotiate favorable pricing. The absence of a wider pool of bidders means that potentially lower-cost providers may not have been aware of or able to respond to the solicitation. This can lead to prices that are higher than what might have been achieved in a fully open and competitive environment, where vendors are compelled to offer their best prices to win the contract.

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: 140G0326P0060

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 379 HUMMINGBIRD ST NE, ALBANY, OR, 97322

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $11,982

Exercised Options: $11,982

Current Obligation: $11,982

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline