University of Wyoming awarded $5M BPA for Seed Laboratory services by Interior's BLM

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,000 ($5.0K)

Contractor: University of Wyoming

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-06-12

End Date: 2029-03-31

Contract Duration: 1,753 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SEED LABORATORY BPA

Place of Performance

Location: LARAMIE, ALBANY County, WYOMING, 82071

State: Wyoming Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $5,000 to UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING for work described as: SEED LABORATORY BPA Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis, indicating predictable costs for the government. 2. The contract duration of 1753 days suggests a long-term need for these specialized services. 3. Awarded by the Bureau of Land Management, aligning with land management and conservation efforts. 4. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541380 points to specialized testing laboratories. 5. The contract was not competed under the Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a non-standard procurement process.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The total value of this Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) is $5 million over its estimated duration. Without specific details on the services rendered or comparable contract pricing, it is difficult to definitively assess value for money. However, the firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar seed laboratory services contracts would be necessary for a more robust evaluation of pricing and value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded as a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, and the data indicates it was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP'. This suggests a sole-source or limited competition procurement. The lack of open competition may limit price discovery and potentially lead to higher costs than if multiple vendors had bid.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, a sole-source award means there was no opportunity to benefit from competitive bidding, which typically drives down prices. This could result in the government paying more than necessary for the seed laboratory services.

Public Impact

The University of Wyoming, as the contractor, will benefit from this award, potentially supporting its research and laboratory operations. The Bureau of Land Management will receive essential seed laboratory testing and services, crucial for its land management and conservation programs. The geographic impact is primarily focused on Wyoming, where the University of Wyoming is located, though the services may support federal land management activities nationwide. This contract could support specialized scientific and technical jobs within the University of Wyoming's laboratory facilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
The 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP' designation warrants further investigation into the justification for limited competition.
The long contract duration could pose risks if laboratory needs or technologies change significantly.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Award to a university suggests a focus on specialized scientific expertise.
The BPA structure allows for flexibility in ordering services as needed within the agreement.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on testing laboratories. This sector is vital for government agencies requiring specialized analytical and research capabilities. The market for such services can be competitive, but specialized niches, like those potentially offered by a university laboratory, may see less open competition. Benchmarking would involve looking at other federal contracts for similar laboratory testing services, particularly those supporting environmental and land management agencies.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that small business participation (sb) is false, and the contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss is false). This suggests that the primary awardee is not a small business, and there is no explicit requirement for subcontracting with small businesses within this BPA call. The impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless the University of Wyoming voluntarily engages small businesses for specific support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the Bureau of Land Management's contracting officers and program managers. As a BPA call, the specific terms and conditions of individual orders will be subject to the overarching BPA agreement. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature of the award. There is no explicit mention of an Inspector General's jurisdiction in the provided data, but IG oversight is a standard government function.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Land Management Research and Development Contracts
Department of the Interior Scientific Services Contracts
Federal Laboratory Testing Services
University Research Partnerships with Government

Risk Flags

Limited Competition Justification
Potential for Higher Costs Due to Sole-Source Award
Lack of Publicly Available Performance Data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $5,000 to UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING. SEED LABORATORY BPA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Land Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $5,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-06-12. End: 2029-03-31.

What specific types of seed laboratory services are being procured under this BPA?

The provided data does not specify the exact types of seed laboratory services. However, the NAICS code 541380, 'Testing Laboratories and Services,' suggests a broad range of analytical and testing activities. These could include germination testing, purity analysis, seed viability assessments, genetic testing, disease identification, and potentially research related to seed quality and conservation. Further details would be available in the BPA's statement of work or individual call orders.

What is the justification for awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?

The data states the contract was 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' which implies a sole-source or limited competition award. Without explicit documentation, the justification is unknown. Common reasons for sole-source awards include unique capabilities possessed by the contractor (e.g., specialized university research facilities), urgent and compelling needs, or when only one responsible source is available. A formal justification document would typically be required for such awards.

How does the $5 million BPA value compare to historical spending on similar services by the Bureau of Land Management?

The provided data does not include historical spending information for the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on similar seed laboratory services. To make a comparison, one would need to access historical contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending) and search for contracts awarded by the BLM or other Department of the Interior agencies for NAICS code 541380 or related service descriptions. The $5 million over approximately 4.75 years (1753 days) represents an average annual value of roughly $1.05 million, which could then be compared to past annual expenditures.

What are the potential risks associated with the University of Wyoming's track record for this type of service?

The provided data does not include information on the University of Wyoming's specific track record for performing federal contracts of this nature. Potential risks could include performance issues, cost overruns (though mitigated by FFP), or schedule delays. A thorough risk assessment would require reviewing past performance evaluations, any past disputes or terminations, and the university's demonstrated capacity and experience in providing the specific seed laboratory services required by the BLM.

What is the expected impact of this contract on federal land management and conservation efforts?

This contract is expected to directly support federal land management and conservation efforts by providing essential seed laboratory services. These services are crucial for understanding seed quality, viability, and purity, which are fundamental to successful restoration projects, native plant propagation, and managing invasive species across BLM-administered lands. Reliable seed testing ensures that restoration initiatives use high-quality seeds, increasing their chances of success and contributing to the long-term health and biodiversity of ecosystems.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Testing Laboratories and Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 1000 E UNIVERSITY AVE, LARAMIE, WY, 82071

Business Categories: Category Business, Educational Institution, Government, Higher Education, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, Higher Education (Public), U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,000

Exercised Options: $5,000

Current Obligation: $5,000

Actual Outlays: $2,627

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140L3724A0006

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline