Interior's $2M contract for cultural resources management awarded to Stampede Ventures, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,017,310 ($2.0M)

Contractor: Stampede Ventures, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-02-06

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 540 days

Daily Burn Rate: $3.7K/day

Competition Type: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PBRWS CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS TO 3

Place of Performance

Location: SANTA FE, SANTA FE County, NEW MEXICO, 87501

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.0 million to STAMPEDE VENTURES, INC. for work described as: PBRWS CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS TO 3 Key points: 1. Value for money appears fair given the scope of environmental consulting services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a sole-source award, potentially limiting price discovery. 3. Risk indicators are moderate, with a fixed-price contract mitigating cost overruns. 4. Performance context is a two-year delivery order for ongoing environmental consulting. 5. Sector positioning places this within environmental consulting services for federal agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $2 million over two years for environmental consulting services seems within a reasonable range for specialized services. Benchmarking against similar contracts for cultural resources management and communications is difficult without more specific service details. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests a defined cost expectation, which is a positive indicator for value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not openly competed. This approach is typically used when a specific contractor possesses unique qualifications or capabilities essential for the requirement. The lack of competition means that the government did not solicit bids from multiple vendors, which can impact the potential for achieving the lowest possible price through market forces.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers compared to competitively bid contracts, as there is less pressure on the contractor to offer the most aggressive pricing.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Reclamation benefits from specialized expertise in cultural resources management and communications. Services delivered will support environmental compliance and stakeholder engagement for federal projects. The geographic impact is focused on New Mexico, where the contractor is based. Workforce implications include employment for environmental consultants and communication specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing advantages for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may reduce opportunities for emerging or smaller specialized firms.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract helps control costs and provides budget certainty.
Contract duration of over one year allows for consistent service delivery.
Specialized nature of services suggests a need for specific expertise.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Environmental Consulting Services sector, specifically focusing on cultural resources management and communications. This sector is vital for federal agencies to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and to manage the impact of projects on historical and cultural sites. The market for these services is characterized by specialized firms with expertise in areas like archaeology, historical preservation, and public outreach. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more granular data on the specific services provided.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award to Stampede Ventures, Inc., a single entity, does not directly contribute to the small business contracting ecosystem through set-asides or mandated subcontracting goals. Further analysis would be needed to determine if Stampede Ventures, Inc. itself is a small business and if they utilize small business subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the Bureau of Reclamation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the firm-fixed-price contract, which obligates the contractor to deliver specified services within the agreed-upon budget. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Impact Statements
Cultural Heritage Preservation Programs
Public Communications and Outreach
Environmental Consulting Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award may limit price competition.
Lack of detailed service scope makes value assessment difficult.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.0 million to STAMPEDE VENTURES, INC.. PBRWS CULTURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNICATIONS TO 3

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STAMPEDE VENTURES, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.0 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-02-06. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of Stampede Ventures, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

Information regarding Stampede Ventures, Inc.'s specific track record with federal contracts is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review of their past performance, including contract history, client feedback, and any past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS), would be necessary to assess their reliability and capability in delivering cultural resources management and communications services. Without this historical data, it is difficult to definitively gauge their experience and success rate on similar government engagements. Further research into federal procurement databases and agency performance reports would be required.

How does the pricing of this contract compare to market rates for similar environmental consulting services?

Direct comparison of this contract's pricing to market rates for similar environmental consulting services is challenging without a detailed breakdown of the services to be rendered and specific market data for New Mexico. The total award of approximately $2 million over two years, for a firm-fixed-price delivery order, provides a general cost. However, to benchmark effectively, one would need to analyze the hourly rates, project management fees, and overhead costs typically charged by comparable environmental consulting firms for services such as cultural resource surveys, impact assessments, and communication strategy development. The sole-source nature of the award also limits the ability to infer competitive market pricing.

What are the primary risks associated with this sole-source contract award?

The primary risk associated with this sole-source contract award is the potential for inflated pricing due to the lack of competition. Without multiple bids, Stampede Ventures, Inc. may not have been incentivized to offer the most cost-effective solution. Another risk is the potential for a less optimal selection of contractor if a competitive process could have identified a firm with superior capabilities or a more innovative approach. Furthermore, sole-source awards can sometimes raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other qualified vendors. Ensuring robust oversight and performance management becomes crucial to mitigate these risks.

How effective is the Bureau of Reclamation's process for identifying and awarding sole-source contracts for specialized services?

The effectiveness of the Bureau of Reclamation's process for awarding sole-source contracts hinges on adherence to federal acquisition regulations and the justification provided for the sole-source determination. If the agency followed proper procedures, including demonstrating that only Stampede Ventures, Inc. possesses the unique qualifications or capabilities required, and that no reasonable alternatives exist, then the process can be considered effective in meeting a specific, critical need. However, the effectiveness is also measured by whether this approach truly secured the best value for the government, which is inherently harder to ascertain without competition. Regular review of sole-source justifications and outcomes is key to ensuring process effectiveness.

What is the historical spending pattern of the Bureau of Reclamation on cultural resources management and communications services?

Analyzing the historical spending patterns of the Bureau of Reclamation on cultural resources management and communications services would provide valuable context for this $2 million award. This would involve examining past contract awards for similar services, including the number of contracts, their values, the duration of the contracts, and the types of contractors engaged (e.g., sole-source vs. competitive). Understanding trends in spending, such as whether this award represents an increase or decrease in investment in these areas, and whether there's a pattern of sole-source awards for such services, can help assess the current contract's alignment with historical priorities and resource allocation.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Solicitation ID: N/A

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Bering Straits Native Corporation

Address: 110 FRONT ST STE 300, NOME, AK, 99762

Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Alaskan Native Corporation Owned Firm, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise, HUBZone Firm, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,017,310

Exercised Options: $2,017,310

Current Obligation: $2,017,310

Actual Outlays: $894,186

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $789,490

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140R4023D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline