Interior Department awards $25M professional services contract to Rylee Baca for fieldwork

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $24,996 ($25.0K)

Contractor: Rylee Baca

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-27

End Date: 2028-04-26

Contract Duration: 730 days

Daily Burn Rate: $34/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS

Sector: Other

Official Description: NEW SSC - RYLEE BACA FIELD WORK

Place of Performance

Location: CORVALLIS, BENTON County, OREGON, 97331

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $24,996.18 to RYLEE BACA for work described as: NEW SSC - RYLEE BACA FIELD WORK Key points: 1. Contract focuses on specialized professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller procurements. 3. The contract duration is two years, with an end date in April 2028. 4. Rylee Baca, the sole awardee, will provide services primarily in Oregon. 5. The contract type is a purchase order, indicating a specific need for services. 6. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990 covers 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services'.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging without more detailed service descriptions or comparable contract data. The award amount of $24,996.18 is relatively small, typical for procurements under SAP. However, the absence of specific performance metrics or a clear comparison to market rates for similar fieldwork services makes a definitive value assessment difficult. Further analysis would require understanding the specific tasks and deliverables expected.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal competition process than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP awards are often made after soliciting quotes from a limited number of sources. This approach is generally used for smaller dollar value procurements where full competition may not be cost-effective.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP can lead to efficient procurement for smaller needs, but it may not always yield the lowest possible price compared to broader competition. The limited scope of competition means potential savings might be forgone.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) within the Department of the Interior is the primary beneficiary of these services. The contract supports fieldwork, likely involving data collection, environmental monitoring, or scientific research. Services are geographically focused on Oregon, potentially impacting local environmental studies or resource management. The contract may indirectly support the scientific workforce by providing opportunities for specialized technical expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of detailed service scope makes it difficult to assess true value for money.
Competition under SAP may limit price discovery and potentially increase costs for taxpayers.
Limited information on contractor past performance or specific qualifications for this niche fieldwork.

Positive Signals

Awarded to a specific contractor, indicating a potentially tailored solution for a defined need.
Contract duration of two years provides a degree of stability for service delivery.
Geographic focus on Oregon suggests targeted support for regional scientific initiatives.

Sector Analysis

The professional, scientific, and technical services sector is vast and diverse, encompassing a wide range of specialized expertise. Contracts like this, falling under NAICS code 541990, often support government agencies in areas requiring unique fieldwork or technical analysis. The market for such services is competitive, with many firms offering specialized capabilities. This contract represents a small portion of overall federal spending in this broad category, likely supporting specific scientific or environmental objectives of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Small Business Impact

Information regarding small business set-asides or subcontracting plans is not provided for this contract. As it was competed under SAP, it's possible that small businesses were solicited, but without explicit set-aside designations, it's difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem. Further details on the solicitation process would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the U.S. Geological Survey and the Department of the Interior's internal contracting and program management offices. As a purchase order awarded under SAP, the level of formal oversight might be less intensive than for larger, more complex contracts. Transparency is limited by the available public data; detailed performance reports or Inspector General involvement would depend on specific project outcomes or identified issues.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Geological Survey Field Operations
Department of the Interior Scientific Research Grants
Environmental Monitoring Contracts
Professional and Technical Services Procurement

Risk Flags

Limited competition due to SAP.
Lack of detailed service scope.
Unknown contractor past performance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $24,996.18 to RYLEE BACA. NEW SSC - RYLEE BACA FIELD WORK

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RYLEE BACA.

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 $24,996.18.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-27. End: 2028-04-26.

What specific fieldwork tasks will Rylee Baca perform under this contract?

The provided data indicates the contract is for 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) and involves fieldwork. However, the specific nature of these tasks is not detailed. It could range from environmental sampling, geological surveys, data collection for scientific research, or technical support for field operations within the U.S. Geological Survey's mandate. Without a Statement of Work (SOW) or more descriptive contract line item details, the precise fieldwork remains unspecified. This lack of specificity hinders a thorough assessment of the contract's objectives and the contractor's required expertise.

How does the $24,996.18 award amount compare to similar fieldwork contracts in Oregon?

Comparing this $24,996.18 award to similar fieldwork contracts in Oregon is difficult without more granular data on the specific services rendered. Contracts under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are typically for smaller dollar values, often below $250,000. This award falls well within that range. However, the 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category is broad. To make a meaningful comparison, one would need to identify contracts with similar NAICS codes, geographic locations (Oregon), and service scopes (fieldwork). The limited scope of SAP competition also means this price might not reflect the full market potential.

What is Rylee Baca's track record with federal contracts, particularly within the Department of the Interior?

The provided data does not include information on Rylee Baca's past performance or track record with federal contracts. As this is a new award, historical data might be limited or not publicly accessible through standard contract databases. To assess their track record, one would need to search federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS for previous awards, performance evaluations, and any reported issues. Understanding their experience with similar fieldwork, scientific services, and Department of the Interior requirements would be crucial for evaluating their capability and reliability on this new contract.

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

Awarding contracts under SAP, while efficient for smaller procurements, carries certain risks. One primary risk is reduced price competition, as the solicitation process is typically less extensive than for larger contracts, potentially leading to higher costs for taxpayers. There's also a risk of less rigorous vetting of contractor capabilities and past performance compared to full and open competition. For this specific contract, the lack of detailed service description increases the risk of scope creep or misaligned expectations between the agency and the contractor. Ensuring adequate oversight and clear deliverables is critical to mitigate these risks.

How does the two-year duration (730 days) impact the overall value and management of this contract?

A two-year duration for a $24,996.18 contract suggests a steady, ongoing need for the specified fieldwork services. This duration provides Rylee Baca with a predictable revenue stream and allows the U.S. Geological Survey to maintain continuity in its fieldwork operations without frequent re-solicitation. From a value perspective, a longer duration can sometimes lead to better unit pricing if the scope is well-defined and allows for economies of scale. However, it also increases the risk if the scope is poorly defined or if contractor performance is subpar, as the agency is committed for the full term. Effective performance management throughout the two years is key to realizing the contract's 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: 140G0326P0094

Offers Received: 28

Pricing Type: LABOR HOURS (Z)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 833 NW 26TH ST, CORVALLIS, OR, 97330

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $24,996

Exercised Options: $24,996

Current Obligation: $24,996

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline