HHS awards $25,937 for environmental consulting services to Rural Community Assistance Corporation in New Mexico

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $25,938 ($25.9K)

Contractor: Rural Community Assistance Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Health and Human Services

Start Date: 2026-03-30

End Date: 2026-08-28

Contract Duration: 151 days

Daily Burn Rate: $172/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BPA CALL NO. 75H70726F05010 TO ADD FUNDING FOR A WATER TREATMENT WORKSHOP.

Place of Performance

Location: ALBUQUERQUE, BERNALILLO County, NEW MEXICO, 87110

State: New Mexico Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Health and Human Services obligated $25,937.5 to RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION for work described as: BPA CALL NO. 75H70726F05010 TO ADD FUNDING FOR A WATER TREATMENT WORKSHOP. Key points: 1. Contract value represents a modest investment in specialized environmental consulting. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a full and open process, suggesting potential for competitive pricing. 3. Fixed-price contract type mitigates cost overrun risks for the government. 4. Contract duration of 151 days suggests a focused, short-term project. 5. Geographic focus on New Mexico aligns with the agency's service area for the Indian Health Service. 6. The award to a single contractor, Rural Community Assistance Corporation, warrants a review of their specific expertise in water treatment workshops.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $25,937.50 is relatively small, making direct comparison to larger contracts difficult. However, for specialized environmental consulting services, particularly for a workshop, this amount appears reasonable. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the pricing was determined upfront and is not expected to fluctuate significantly, which is generally favorable for the government. Benchmarking against similar short-term consulting engagements for niche services would provide further context on value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure that the government receives competitive pricing. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the 'full and open' designation suggests a robust competitive environment was available.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces, ensuring that public funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely tribal communities in New Mexico receiving services through the Indian Health Service, who will benefit from improved water treatment knowledge. The service delivered is a water treatment workshop, aimed at enhancing capacity and understanding of water treatment processes. The geographic impact is concentrated in New Mexico, where the workshop will be conducted or its outcomes applied. Workforce implications include potential training and capacity building for individuals involved in water treatment operations within the targeted communities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the workshop's effectiveness.
The limited duration of the contract may restrict the depth of engagement or follow-up support.
Information on the contractor's prior experience with similar workshops is not detailed, posing a potential risk to successful delivery.

Positive Signals

The use of a firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the government.
Awarding under full and open competition suggests a competitive process was utilized.
The contract is aligned with the mission of the Indian Health Service to improve health outcomes for Native Americans.

Sector Analysis

The environmental consulting sector is broad, encompassing services from impact assessments to specialized technical training. This contract falls within the niche of environmental services focused on public health infrastructure, specifically water treatment. The market for such specialized consulting can be competitive, with firms often differentiating on expertise and past performance. The value of this specific contract is modest within the broader federal spending landscape for environmental services, which can range from millions to billions for large-scale projects.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate if this contract included small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements. Given the contract's nature and value, it's possible it was competed broadly, and small businesses may have participated as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to determine the specific impact on the small business ecosystem.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically fall under the Indian Health Service within the Department of Health and Human Services. Accountability measures are inherent in the firm fixed-price contract type, requiring the contractor to deliver the specified services within the agreed budget. Transparency is generally facilitated through federal contract databases where such awards are reported. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Indian Health Service Water Infrastructure Programs
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Water Programs
Rural Water and Wastewater Technical Assistance Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for limited long-term impact due to short contract duration.
Need for further verification of contractor's specific expertise in water treatment workshops.
Lack of explicit performance metrics in summary data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Health and Human Services awarded $25,937.5 to RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION. BPA CALL NO. 75H70726F05010 TO ADD FUNDING FOR A WATER TREATMENT WORKSHOP.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Health and Human Services (Indian Health Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $25,937.5.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-30. End: 2026-08-28.

What is the specific expertise of Rural Community Assistance Corporation in conducting water treatment workshops?

The provided data does not detail the specific expertise of Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) in conducting water treatment workshops. However, RCAC is known to provide technical assistance and training to rural communities, often focusing on water and wastewater systems. Their mission generally involves supporting community development and infrastructure. To fully assess the value and risk, a review of RCAC's past performance, specific qualifications, and any certifications related to water treatment training would be necessary. This would help confirm their suitability for this particular task and ensure the workshop meets the intended objectives for the Indian Health Service beneficiaries.

How does the $25,937 contract value compare to similar water treatment workshop contracts?

Directly comparing the $25,937 contract value for this specific water treatment workshop to 'similar' contracts is challenging without more granular data on the scope, duration, and target audience of those other contracts. Federal contract databases (like FPDS or USASpending) would need to be queried for keywords like 'water treatment workshop,' 'environmental training,' and 'Indian Health Service' within a relevant timeframe. However, for a focused, short-term training event, this value appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized consulting. Larger, multi-day, or more comprehensive training programs, or those involving extensive material development, would naturally command higher values. The firm fixed-price nature suggests the scope was well-defined to arrive at this figure.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this water treatment workshop contract?

The provided data does not explicitly list Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this BPA Call. Typically, for a workshop contract, KPIs might include: participant satisfaction scores (e.g., post-workshop surveys), knowledge retention assessments (e.g., pre- and post-workshop quizzes), the number of participants successfully trained, or the successful delivery of training materials and curriculum. The firm fixed-price nature implies that the primary performance indicator is the successful completion of the workshop as defined in the Statement of Work (SOW), which should outline the expected deliverables and standards. Without the SOW, specific KPIs remain speculative.

What is the historical spending pattern for water treatment workshops by the Indian Health Service?

Historical spending patterns for water treatment workshops by the Indian Health Service (IHS) are not detailed in the provided data. To ascertain this, one would need to analyze historical contract awards made by the IHS specifically for 'water treatment workshops' or related training services over several fiscal years. This analysis would reveal the frequency of such awards, the typical contract values, the primary contractors engaged, and the geographic distribution of these services. Such a review could identify trends, potential increases or decreases in demand, and whether this $25,937 award is consistent with past investment levels in this area.

What is the risk associated with the contractor's performance given the contract duration?

The contract duration of 151 days (approximately five months) for this water treatment workshop suggests a relatively short-term engagement focused on planning, delivery, and potentially some immediate follow-up. The primary risk associated with this duration is that it might be insufficient for deep, long-term impact or comprehensive capacity building. If the workshop requires extensive preparation, complex logistics, or significant post-workshop support and evaluation, the 151-day window could be tight. However, for a focused training event, this duration is likely adequate. The risk is mitigated by the firm fixed-price structure, which incentivizes the contractor to complete the defined scope efficiently within the timeframe.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: EDUCATION AND TRAINING › EDUCATION AND TRAINING SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3120 FREEBOARD DR STE 201, WEST SACRAMENTO, CA, 95691

Business Categories: Category Business, Community Development Corporation, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $25,938

Exercised Options: $25,938

Current Obligation: $25,938

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 75H70721A00007

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline