Interior Department awards $145K contract for veterinary services in Oregon, highlighting a competitive procurement process

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $144,624 ($144.6K)

Contractor: Sage Country Veterinary Service PC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2024-02-22

End Date: 2026-06-30

Contract Duration: 859 days

Daily Burn Rate: $168/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BURNS WILD HORSE CORRALS VET SERVICES, HINES OREGON

Place of Performance

Location: HINES, HARNEY County, OREGON, 97738

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $144,624 to SAGE COUNTRY VETERINARY SERVICE PC for work described as: BURNS WILD HORSE CORRALS VET SERVICES, HINES OREGON Key points: 1. The contract value appears reasonable for specialized veterinary services, though a direct comparison to similar federal contracts is needed for a definitive value-for-money assessment. 2. The procurement was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a focus on smaller value contracts and potentially less robust competition than larger procurements. 3. The fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. The contract duration of approximately 2 years aligns with the need for ongoing veterinary support. 5. This contract supports essential animal welfare operations for the Bureau of Land Management. 6. The award to a single vendor indicates a specific need met by this particular firm's capabilities.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $144,624 for veterinary services over approximately 2.5 years is modest. Benchmarking against similar federal contracts for animal care in the region or for wild horse management would provide a clearer picture of value. Given the fixed-price nature, the government has a defined cost. However, without specific details on the scope of services (e.g., number of animals treated, types of procedures), a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging. The award to a single entity suggests either a specialized need or limited local competition within the SAP threshold.

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 solicitation process than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP is often used for procurements under $250,000, where competition might be more limited due to administrative ease for smaller businesses. The fact that it was competed suggests that multiple vendors were likely solicited, but the level of competition may not be as broad as for larger contracts.

Taxpayer Impact: Competing under SAP aims to streamline the acquisition process for smaller dollar amounts, potentially leading to faster delivery of services. However, it may result in less aggressive pricing compared to full and open competition where a wider range of vendors can participate.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the wild horses managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in the Hines, Oregon area, receiving essential veterinary care. The services delivered include critical medical treatments, preventative care, and potentially emergency response for the wild horse population. The geographic impact is focused on the region around Hines, Oregon, where the BLM manages wild horse populations. This contract supports the operational capacity of the BLM's wild horse and burro program, ensuring the health and well-being of these animals.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Limited competition under SAP could potentially lead to higher prices than if the contract were broadly competed.
Lack of detailed performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the quality and effectiveness of the veterinary services delivered.
The specific scope of services is not detailed, making it hard to fully evaluate the necessity and appropriateness of the contract's value.

Positive Signals

The contract is fixed-price, which provides cost certainty for the government and mitigates the risk of cost overruns.
The procurement was competed, indicating an effort to obtain services from multiple sources rather than a sole-source award.
The contract duration of over two years suggests a stable and ongoing need for these services, which the awarded vendor can fulfill.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional services sector, specifically veterinary services, supporting federal land management agencies. The market for veterinary services is diverse, ranging from small local practices to large corporations. Federal contracts for such services are often awarded through competitive bidding, with values varying significantly based on scope and duration. The $145K award is relatively small within the broader federal contracting landscape, often falling under simplified acquisition procedures designed for efficiency in procuring goods and services below a certain threshold.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included a small business set-aside. The award was made under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which can be utilized by small businesses. Without specific information on subcontracting plans, the direct impact on the broader small business ecosystem is unclear, though it likely supports the operations of the awarded small business.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) contracting officer and program managers. As a purchase order under SAP, it is subject to standard federal procurement regulations and agency-specific policies. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS. Inspector General oversight may be involved if specific concerns or allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

Bureau of Land Management Wild Horse and Burro Program
Federal Animal Health Services
Department of the Interior Veterinary Support Contracts
Veterinary Services for Federal Agencies

Risk Flags

Limited competition under SAP
Lack of detailed performance metrics
Scope of services not fully defined

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $144,624 to SAGE COUNTRY VETERINARY SERVICE PC. BURNS WILD HORSE CORRALS VET SERVICES, HINES OREGON

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is SAGE COUNTRY VETERINARY SERVICE PC.

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 $144,624.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-22. End: 2026-06-30.

What is the typical cost for similar veterinary services provided to federal agencies managing wild horses?

Determining a precise benchmark for 'similar' veterinary services is challenging without detailed scope information. However, federal contracts for animal care can range widely. For instance, contracts for support at military installations or research facilities might involve routine care, specialized surgeries, or large-scale population management. Costs are influenced by factors such as the number of animals, complexity of procedures, geographic location, and required response times. A contract of $145,000 over approximately 2.5 years, as seen here, suggests a moderate level of service. For comparison, larger contracts might involve extensive herd health programs or specialized diagnostic services costing hundreds of thousands or even millions annually. Smaller, localized needs, like this one, are often met through competitively bid purchase orders under SAP, where pricing is expected to be reasonable but may not reflect the economies of scale seen in larger, more broadly competed contracts.

How many bids were received for this contract, and what does that imply about competition?

The provided data indicates the contract was 'COMPETED UNDER SAP' (Simplified Acquisition Procedures). While this confirms competition occurred, it does not specify the number of bids received. SAP is typically used for procurements valued under $250,000 and allows for more streamlined solicitation processes, often involving fewer formal bids than larger, full-and-open competitions. The implication is that while multiple vendors likely had an opportunity to bid, the level of competition might be less intense than for higher-value contracts. This can sometimes lead to slightly higher prices compared to what might be achieved in a highly competitive environment, but it also allows for quicker acquisition of necessary services. The specific number of bidders would provide a clearer picture of the competitive landscape for this particular veterinary service requirement.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this veterinary services contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this contract. However, for veterinary services supporting wild horse management, typical KPIs would likely focus on the health outcomes of the animals treated. This could include metrics such as the success rate of treatments for common ailments, the reduction in mortality rates due to preventable conditions, the timeliness of response to emergency cases, and adherence to vaccination or deworming protocols. Additionally, KPIs might involve compliance with reporting requirements, proper handling and administration of medications, and maintaining accurate medical records for each animal. The contracting officer and program managers within the Bureau of Land Management would be responsible for monitoring the contractor's performance against these implicit or explicit service level expectations.

What is the track record of Sage Country Veterinary Service PC with federal contracts?

Information regarding the specific track record of Sage Country Veterinary Service PC with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data snippet. To assess their performance history, one would typically review past federal contract awards, performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), and any history of contract disputes or terminations. A positive track record with previous government engagements, particularly with agencies like the Department of the Interior or Bureau of Land Management, would suggest reliability and competence. Conversely, any negative performance history would raise concerns. Without access to these broader databases, it's difficult to provide a comprehensive assessment of the contractor's federal performance history beyond this single award.

How does this contract's value compare to the Bureau of Land Management's overall spending on animal health?

This contract, valued at approximately $145,000, represents a relatively small portion of the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) overall budget for animal health and wild horse management. The BLM's 'Wild Horse and Burro Program,' which this contract supports, incurs significant costs related to corrals, gather operations, land management, and ongoing care. Annual spending for the entire program can run into tens of millions of dollars. Therefore, while this specific veterinary services contract is important for the local operations in Hines, Oregon, its value is modest in the context of the BLM's total expenditure on animal welfare and management nationwide. Comparing it to the overall program budget highlights its role as a specific, localized support function rather than a major programmatic expenditure.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140L4324Q0030

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 30850 HIGHWAY 20 E, BURNS, OR, 97720

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veterinary Hospital, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $405,324

Exercised Options: $144,624

Current Obligation: $144,624

Actual Outlays: $82,358

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline