Interior Department awards $44.5M contract for scientific consulting, with 42 labor hours

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $44,508 ($44.5K)

Contractor: Christopher K Gulick

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-06

End Date: 2027-04-06

Contract Duration: 365 days

Daily Burn Rate: $122/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 42

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW SSC CHRISTOPHER GULICK

Place of Performance

Location: LUBBOCK, LUBBOCK County, TEXAS, 79413

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $44,507.88 to CHRISTOPHER K GULICK for work described as: NEW SSC CHRISTOPHER GULICK Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized scientific consulting services. 2. Competition was limited under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting potential for higher pricing. 3. The contract duration of one year with a potential for extension warrants monitoring for cost efficiency. 4. Performance is situated within the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' category. 5. The award is a Purchase Order, typically used for smaller value acquisitions. 6. The contractor, Christopher K. Gulick, is associated with this specific service area.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $44.5 million for a one-year term, with 42 labor hours specified, seems high on a per-hour basis if the 42 hours represent the total expected effort. However, if '42' refers to something else, like the number of personnel or a different metric, a direct comparison is difficult. Without more context on the scope of work and the specific deliverables, it's challenging to benchmark the value effectively against similar contracts. The award type as a Purchase Order suggests a less complex acquisition, which might imply a simpler service delivery.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

This contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a limited number of bidders and less formal solicitation processes compared to full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided beyond the fact it was competed, SAP is generally used for acquisitions below certain thresholds where full and open competition may not be practical or cost-effective. This limited competition could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing.

Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition under SAP means taxpayers may not have benefited from the most competitive pricing achievable through a broader solicitation process.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the primary beneficiary, receiving scientific consulting services. Services delivered are categorized under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'. The contract is geographically located in Texas (TX). Workforce implications are tied to the specialized skills required for scientific consulting.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for inflated costs due to limited competition under SAP.
Lack of detailed scope of work makes value assessment difficult.
Unclear if the '42' metric represents total labor hours or another unit, impacting cost analysis.

Positive Signals

Contract is awarded to a specific individual/entity with apparent expertise in the service area.
Clear end date provides a defined period for service delivery.
Purchase Order format is suitable for defined, albeit potentially smaller, service needs.

Sector Analysis

The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' sector encompasses a broad range of specialized expertise. This contract likely falls within a niche area of scientific advisory or technical support. Benchmarking spending in this specific sub-sector is difficult without more granular data on the nature of the consulting. However, federal spending on scientific and technical consulting is substantial, supporting various agencies' research, development, and operational needs.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract involved a small business set-aside. The award is a Purchase Order, and without further details on the contractor's size or subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is unclear. It is possible that the prime contractor is a small business, but this cannot be determined from the provided data.

Oversight & Accountability

As a Purchase Order awarded under SAP, oversight mechanisms might be less formalized than for larger, more complex contracts. Accountability would primarily rest with the contracting officer and the U.S. Geological Survey to ensure satisfactory performance and adherence to the terms. Transparency is limited by the nature of SAP procurements, which are not typically publicized as extensively as full and open competitions.

Related Government Programs

Scientific Research Services
Technical Advisory Services
Consulting Services
Geological Survey Support

Risk Flags

Potential for overpricing due to limited competition.
Ambiguity in key contract metrics (e.g., '42') hinders accurate cost analysis.
Unusual award type (Purchase Order) for the stated value requires clarification.
Lack of detailed scope of work limits performance assessment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $44,507.88 to CHRISTOPHER K GULICK. NEW SSC CHRISTOPHER GULICK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CHRISTOPHER K GULICK.

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 $44,507.88.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-06. End: 2027-04-06.

What is the specific nature of the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' being procured?

The provided data categorizes the service as 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' (NAICS 541690) but does not detail the specific tasks or deliverables. This category is broad and can include services ranging from environmental consulting to specialized engineering analysis or scientific research support. To understand the contract's true purpose, further information on the Statement of Work (SOW) is required. This would clarify whether the contract supports field research, data analysis, policy development, or other scientific endeavors within the Department of the Interior's mission.

How does the contract value of $44.5 million compare to typical spending for similar consulting services?

Benchmarking the $44.5 million contract value is challenging without knowing the exact scope and duration of services. The contract has a 365-day duration, ending April 6, 2027. If the $44.5 million is for the entire period, it represents a significant annual expenditure for consulting. However, the data also mentions '42' as a numerical value, which is ambiguous. If '42' represents labor hours, the per-hour cost would be extraordinarily high ($44.5M / 42 hours ≈ $1.06M/hour), suggesting '42' likely refers to something else, such as the number of personnel or a different unit of measure. Without clarification, a direct comparison to market rates or similar federal contracts is not feasible.

What is the track record of the contractor, Christopher K. Gulick, with federal agencies?

The provided data identifies 'CHRISTOPHER K GULICK' as the contractor. To assess their track record, a review of their past performance on federal contracts would be necessary. This would involve searching federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) for previous awards, contract performance evaluations (CPARS), and any history of disputes or terminations. Without this external data, it's impossible to determine if the contractor has a history of successful delivery, adherence to schedules and budgets, or any performance issues on prior government work.

What are the potential risks associated with a contract competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP)?

Contracts competed under SAP, typically for amounts below $250,000 (though thresholds can vary), often involve less stringent competition requirements than full and open solicitations. Potential risks include limited price discovery, as fewer vendors may be solicited or aware of the opportunity. This can lead to higher prices than might be achieved through broader competition. Additionally, the oversight and documentation requirements may be less rigorous, potentially increasing the risk of performance issues or non-compliance if not managed carefully by the procuring agency. However, SAP is designed to streamline the acquisition process for smaller needs, balancing efficiency with reasonable competition.

What is the significance of the contract being a 'Purchase Order'?

A Purchase Order (PO) is a common document used to formalize a transaction for goods or services, particularly for smaller or simpler acquisitions. In the federal context, POs are often used when the need is well-defined and the value is relatively low, or when utilizing specific purchasing authorities. The award of a Purchase Order for $44.5 million is unusual, as POs are typically associated with much smaller dollar values. This suggests either a unique contracting approach by the agency or a potential misinterpretation of the data field. If it is indeed a PO for this amount, it implies a streamlined process but may carry different oversight and modification protocols compared to a formal contract.

How does the geographic location (Texas) impact the delivery or oversight of these consulting services?

The contract indicates the place of performance or contractor location is Texas (ST: TX, SN: TEXAS). For consulting services, the geographic location often has minimal impact on the actual delivery of services, especially if the work can be performed remotely. However, it can influence oversight activities, travel costs if on-site presence is required, and potentially the pool of available local talent if the contractor relies on local resources. If the consulting requires physical presence at a USGS facility in Texas, then the location is directly relevant to the operational aspect of the contract.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting 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: 140G0326P0088

Offers Received: 42

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3704 67TH ST, LUBBOCK, TX, 79413

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $44,508

Exercised Options: $44,508

Current Obligation: $44,508

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline