Interior's Bureau of Reclamation awards $121K for hydrologic database tech support to Precision Water Resources Engineering

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $121,110 ($121.1K)

Contractor: Precision Water Resources Engineering, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2025-04-24

End Date: 2026-08-27

Contract Duration: 490 days

Daily Burn Rate: $247/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: IT

Official Description: HYDROLOGIC DATABASE TECH SUPPORT SERVICE

Place of Performance

Location: LOVELAND, LARIMER County, COLORADO, 80537

State: Colorado Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $121,110.3 to PRECISION WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING, INC. for work described as: HYDROLOGIC DATABASE TECH SUPPORT SERVICE Key points: 1. Contract value appears modest, suggesting a focused scope for technical support. 2. Competition dynamics for this award are not detailed, but it was competed under SAP. 3. Risk indicators are low given the contract value and duration. 4. Performance context is specific to hydrologic database technical support. 5. This contract falls within the IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming. 6. The award is a delivery order, indicating it's part of a larger contract vehicle.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $121,110 for a period of roughly 1.6 years (490 days) seems reasonable for specialized technical support. Without specific benchmarks for hydrologic database support, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the award amount is not excessively large, suggesting a potentially competitive pricing structure or a well-defined, limited scope of work. The Time and Materials pricing type allows for flexibility but requires careful monitoring to ensure cost-effectiveness.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically implies a competition among a limited number of pre-qualified vendors or through a streamlined process for smaller dollar amounts. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but SAP generally indicates less robust competition than full and open solicitations. This could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing compared to a broader competition.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP may result in slightly higher prices than a full and open competition, but the administrative savings associated with SAP can offset some of this difference for smaller procurements.

Public Impact

The Bureau of Reclamation benefits from continued technical support for its critical hydrologic databases. This contract ensures the operational integrity and functionality of systems used for water resource management. The services delivered are essential for data collection, analysis, and reporting related to water resources across the nation. The geographic impact is national, as hydrologic data supports water management decisions nationwide. Workforce implications are likely minimal, primarily impacting a small team of technical specialists.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if Time and Materials pricing is not closely managed.
Dependence on a single contractor for specialized technical knowledge could pose a risk if not mitigated.
Scope creep could increase costs beyond the initial award amount without proper oversight.

Positive Signals

Award to a single vendor suggests a focused and potentially efficient service delivery.
The relatively short duration and modest value indicate a manageable project scope.
Competition under SAP, while limited, still implies some level of market vetting.

Sector Analysis

The Information Technology (IT) sector, specifically custom computer programming services (NAICS 541511), is a vast market supporting government operations. This contract fits within the niche of specialized software and database support crucial for scientific and resource management agencies. Comparable spending benchmarks for similar IT support contracts vary widely based on complexity and duration, but this award appears to be on the smaller end for specialized technical services.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting plans. The contractor, Precision Water Resources Engineering, Inc., is likely a small business itself given the contract value, but this specific award does not appear to be part of a formal small business set-aside program. Further analysis would be needed to determine its impact on the broader small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the Bureau of Reclamation's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would be tied to the delivery order's performance work statement and the Time and Materials contract clauses. Transparency is facilitated through contract databases like FPDS, though detailed performance metrics are usually internal. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Hydrologic Data Management Systems
Water Resource Information Technology Services
Custom Software Development for Environmental Agencies
Bureau of Reclamation IT Support Contracts
Federal Hydrology Data Services

Risk Flags

Potential for cost overruns with T&M contract type.
Limited competition under SAP may impact price discovery.
Dependence on contractor expertise for critical systems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $121,110.3 to PRECISION WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING, INC.. HYDROLOGIC DATABASE TECH SUPPORT SERVICE

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is PRECISION WATER RESOURCES ENGINEERING, 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 $121,110.3.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-04-24. End: 2026-08-27.

What is the track record of Precision Water Resources Engineering, Inc. with federal contracts, particularly with the Department of the Interior?

A review of federal procurement data indicates that Precision Water Resources Engineering, Inc. has received federal contracts primarily from agencies within the Department of the Interior, including the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Geological Survey. These contracts often relate to water resources engineering, hydrological analysis, and related technical support services. The contract values have generally been in the small to moderate range, consistent with specialized technical services rather than large-scale IT infrastructure projects. Their performance history, based on available contract award data, suggests a consistent provider of niche engineering and technical support within their area of expertise. Further detailed performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS reports) would be necessary for a comprehensive assessment of their track record.

How does the pricing structure (Time and Materials) compare to other similar hydrologic database support contracts?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are common for services where the scope of work is not precisely defined at the outset, such as technical support or research and development. For hydrologic database support, T&M allows flexibility to address unforeseen issues or evolving technical requirements. Benchmarking T&M pricing requires access to specific labor rates and indirect cost data, which are often proprietary or redacted in public databases. However, compared to Fixed-Price contracts, T&M can potentially lead to higher costs if not managed diligently, as the government pays for actual labor hours and materials. Agencies typically mitigate this risk by establishing ceiling prices, requiring detailed cost reporting, and closely monitoring contractor effort to ensure efficiency and prevent scope creep. Without specific rate data for this contract, a precise comparison is difficult, but the overall award value suggests the rates were deemed acceptable within the context of the procurement.

What are the primary risks associated with this specific contract, and how are they being mitigated?

The primary risks associated with this contract include potential cost overruns due to the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure, where actual hours and materials dictate the final cost. Scope creep, where the work expands beyond the initially defined requirements, is another significant risk that could inflate costs and delay delivery. Furthermore, a reliance on a single contractor for specialized technical expertise could pose a risk if key personnel depart or if knowledge transfer is inadequate. Mitigation strategies likely include a clearly defined Performance Work Statement (PWS), stringent monitoring of labor hours and expenses by the government, established ceiling prices, and regular progress reviews. The relatively short duration (490 days) also helps to limit the potential impact of these risks compared to a multi-year contract.

How effective is the Bureau of Reclamation's use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for procuring specialized IT support services like this?

The Bureau of Reclamation's use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) for procuring specialized IT support services like this hydrologic database technical support is generally effective for smaller dollar value procurements (under the SAP threshold, typically $250,000). SAP streamlines the acquisition process, reducing administrative burden and leading to faster award times, which can be crucial for obtaining timely technical support. While SAP generally involves less competition than full and open procedures, it still requires some level of competition or justification for sole-source awards. For a contract valued at approximately $121,110, SAP is an appropriate and efficient method. The effectiveness hinges on the agency's ability to clearly define requirements and ensure fair and reasonable pricing within the SAP framework, balancing speed and cost-efficiency with adequate competition.

What is the historical spending pattern for hydrologic database technical support services by the Bureau of Reclamation?

Historical spending patterns for hydrologic database technical support by the Bureau of Reclamation indicate a consistent need for such services, reflecting the agency's core mission of managing water resources. Spending in this category typically involves contracts for software maintenance, database administration, data analysis tool development, and specialized technical consulting. The contract values can range significantly, from small, task-order-based awards like this one, to larger, multi-year contracts for comprehensive system support. The frequency and value of these awards are often influenced by the lifecycle of their IT systems, upgrades, and the complexity of the hydrological data being managed. Analyzing past spending can reveal trends in technology adoption, vendor reliance, and the overall investment in maintaining critical water data infrastructure.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services

Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - SECURITY AND COMPLIANCE

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3401 COUNTY RD 16, LOVELAND, CO, 80537

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $121,110

Exercised Options: $121,110

Current Obligation: $121,110

Actual Outlays: $40,852

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: PRODUCTS OR SERVICES PURSUANT TO FAR 12.102(F)

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140R8121D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline