Interior Department awards $774K contract for Klamath Falls surveys, with a 950-day performance period

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $77,441 ($77.4K)

Contractor: Mary Claire Kier

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-02-23

End Date: 2026-09-30

Contract Duration: 950 days

Daily Burn Rate: $82/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: KLAMATH FALLS NSO SURVEYS 2025

Place of Performance

Location: KLAMATH FALLS, KLAMATH County, OREGON, 97603

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $77,441 to MARY CLAIRE KIER for work described as: KLAMATH FALLS NSO SURVEYS 2025 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for the scope of professional, scientific, and technical services. 2. Competition was full and open, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Performance period of 950 days indicates a long-term need for these services. 4. Fixed-price contract type helps manage cost certainty for the government. 5. The contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. 6. Geographic focus on Oregon suggests localized survey requirements.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $774,410 for a 950-day period (approximately 2.6 years) suggests a daily rate of around $815. This rate seems within a reasonable range for specialized professional, scientific, and technical services, especially considering the potential need for expert personnel and equipment. Benchmarking against similar contracts for survey work in the region would provide a more precise value assessment, but initial indicators suggest fair pricing.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating that the solicitation was broadly advertised, and all responsible sources were permitted to submit offers. This approach typically fosters robust competition, leading to better pricing and service quality. The specific mention of 'after exclusion of sources' might imply a prior limited competition or a specific set of circumstances that led to this method, but the core intent is broad participation.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through competitive bidding and ensuring the government receives the best value for its investment. This process increases the likelihood of selecting a contractor offering the most advantageous combination of price and performance.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and potentially other federal or state agencies requiring land survey data in the Klamath Falls area. The services delivered will involve professional, scientific, and technical surveying activities. The geographic impact is concentrated in and around Klamath Falls, Oregon. Workforce implications may include the need for skilled surveyors, technicians, and potentially support staff employed by the winning contractor.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The broad 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' category lacks specificity, potentially obscuring the exact nature of the work and making detailed performance evaluation more challenging.
The 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation, while indicating open competition, warrants a review of the 'exclusion of sources' rationale to ensure no undue restrictions were placed on potential bidders.

Positive Signals

The use of a Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost certainty and shifts risk to the contractor.
The contract duration of 950 days suggests a sustained and important requirement for these surveying services.
Awarding under full and open competition generally indicates a commitment to maximizing value and leveraging market capabilities.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically related to surveying and mapping. This sector is crucial for land management, infrastructure development, and environmental monitoring. Comparable spending in this area can vary widely based on the complexity and scale of the surveys, but federal agencies consistently procure such services to fulfill their land stewardship and operational mandates. The market includes numerous specialized firms capable of performing these tasks.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation (ss: false, sb: false) was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract. While the primary awardee may or may not be a small business, the lack of a set-aside suggests that the competition was not specifically structured to favor small businesses. Subcontracting opportunities for small businesses may exist depending on the prime contractor's strategy and the nature of the work, but they are not mandated by the contract's structure.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will primarily reside with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the contracting agency. Performance monitoring, quality assurance, and payment approvals will be managed by designated BLM personnel. As a federal contract, it is subject to general government oversight regulations and potentially audits by the Inspector General's office if specific concerns arise. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, where award details are publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Land Management Surveying Contracts
Federal Land Management Services
Geographic Information System (GIS) Services
Environmental Survey Contracts
Department of the Interior Professional Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to long performance period.
Risk of outdated technology or methodologies by contract end.
Need for clear justification of 'exclusion of sources' in competition.
Ensuring consistent contractor performance over 950 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $77,441 to MARY CLAIRE KIER. KLAMATH FALLS NSO SURVEYS 2025

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is MARY CLAIRE KIER.

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 $77,441.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-23. End: 2026-09-30.

What is the specific nature of the 'KLAMATH FALLS NSO SURVEYS 2025' and what are the key deliverables expected?

The contract title 'KLAMATH FALLS NSO SURVEYS 2025' suggests the surveys are related to the Klamath Falls National Security Objective (NSO) or a similar designation, likely for the year 2025. The specific deliverables are not detailed in the provided data but would typically include detailed survey reports, maps, data sets (e.g., topographical, boundary, environmental), and potentially recommendations based on the survey findings. These could range from land boundary verification and resource assessment to infrastructure planning support. The 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' (NAICS 541990) classification indicates a broad scope, potentially encompassing various types of technical assessments and data collection.

How does the contract's $774,410 value compare to similar surveying contracts awarded by the Bureau of Land Management or other Interior Department agencies?

Without access to a comprehensive database of comparable contracts, a precise benchmark is difficult. However, $774,410 for a 950-day (approx. 2.6 years) contract for surveying services suggests an average annual value of roughly $298,000. This falls within a moderate range for specialized federal surveying projects. Smaller, localized surveys might cost less, while large-scale environmental or geological surveys could cost significantly more. The 'full and open competition' aspect suggests the price was vetted against market offerings, implying it is likely competitive. Further analysis would require comparing contract scope, duration, geographic area, and specific service requirements.

What are the potential risks associated with a 950-day performance period for surveying services?

A 950-day performance period presents several potential risks. Firstly, the scope of work might evolve over this extended duration, potentially leading to change orders and cost increases if not managed carefully. Secondly, technological advancements in surveying equipment and methodologies could occur, making the initial approach or equipment outdated by the contract's end. Thirdly, contractor performance consistency over such a long period can be a concern; key personnel might leave, or institutional knowledge could diminish. Finally, environmental conditions or land use regulations in the Klamath Falls area could change, impacting the survey's relevance or requirements. Robust contract management and clear performance metrics are crucial to mitigate these risks.

What does the 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES' designation imply about the bidding process?

This designation implies that the contract was initially intended for full and open competition, meaning all eligible responsible sources were encouraged to submit proposals. However, 'after exclusion of sources' suggests that at some point, certain potential sources were deliberately excluded from consideration. This exclusion must be justified under specific federal acquisition regulations (e.g., if only a few sources possess the required specialized capabilities, or if prior contract performance issues led to exclusion). While the final award was made through a process open to all *remaining* eligible sources, the initial exclusion warrants scrutiny to ensure it was necessary and did not unduly limit competition or result in a higher price for the government.

How might this contract contribute to the Bureau of Land Management's mission in Oregon?

This contract directly supports the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) mission in Oregon, particularly concerning land management, resource assessment, and potentially conservation efforts within the Klamath Falls region. Accurate surveying is fundamental for defining boundaries, managing public lands, facilitating resource development (where applicable), and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. The '2025' designation suggests forward-looking planning and data acquisition critical for the BLM's operational and strategic objectives in the area. The data gathered could inform decisions on land use, infrastructure projects, or ecological restoration.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2395 EYE ST, ARCATA, CA, 95521

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $77,441

Exercised Options: $77,441

Current Obligation: $77,441

Actual Outlays: $77,441

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140L4324D0005

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline