Fort Collins Science Center

The U.S. Geological Survey Fort Collins Science Center, a sub-agency of the Department of the Interior, procures contracts and grants to support geological research, monitoring, and technical services across the American West. The Center has awarded 372 federal contracts totaling $16.6 million in combined potential value since 2008, with 191 distinct prime contractors participating over that span. Contract activity has slowed sharply in recent years: the Center issued 31 awards in 2016, then fell to 1 award each in 2017, 2022, and 2024, with 2 awards in 2023. The most recent recorded contract award closed in September 2024.

The competitive landscape is highly fragmented. Over the last five years, Sky Aviation Corporation leads by award count with 2 contracts ($42 thousand combined potential value), followed by Air Shasta Rotor & Wing, Inc. (1 award, $90 thousand) and Hillsboro Aviation, Inc. (1 award, $3 thousand). The top five contractors account for 100 percent of recent awards, but volumes are so low that concentration metrics provide minimal insight into competitive positioning; the Center conducts sporadic, small-dollar acquisitions rather than sustained procurement programs.

Set-asides characterize 40 percent of the lifetime portfolio. About 60 percent of awards carry no set-aside designation. 8(a) awards—both sole-source and competitive—account for 29 percent of all contracts (78 sole-source, 31 competitive). Small-business set-asides comprise 9 percent, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business accounts for 1 percent.

Grant activity is minimal. The Center has issued only one federal grant award on record, a Cooperative Agreement worth $37 thousand obligated to a single recipient in September 2018. No grant awards have been issued since that award closed more than eight years ago.

No recent contract opportunities or grant opportunities are recorded against the Fort Collins Science Center. The Center's contract award pattern suggests project-driven procurement tied to specific research initiatives or field operations rather than open solicitation cycles. Business development professionals should monitor for ad hoc research contracts and interagency reimbursable work orders rather than expect regular competitive solicitations.