The U.S. Geological Survey and Quantum Spatial, Incorporated, Did Not Always Comply With Federal Regulations, Policies, and Award Terms for Task Order No. 140G0218F0251 and Contract No. G16PC00016

We audited Task Order No. 140G0218F0251 and Contract No. G16PC00016 between Quantum Spatial, Incorporated (QSI) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to determine whether (1) QSI complied with all applicable Federal regulations and terms and conditions of the task order and the governing contract, (2) the USGS complied with all applicable Federal regulations, USGS policies and procedures, and award terms and conditions when awarding and monitoring the contract and the task order, and (3) the USGS negotiated a fair and reasonable price for services rendered under the task order. We reviewed supporting documentation and compliance from the beginning of the solicitation phase in October 2014 through December 2018.We found that QSI and the USGS did not always comply with applicable regulations, policies, and contract terms and conditions. Specifically:• QSI submitted invoices that were mathematically incorrect.• QSI submitted invoices that did not include contract line item numbers as required.• The USGS did not include a required clause in the contract.• The USGS did not document the contract negotiations properly.In addition, we found that the USGS negotiated a fair and reasonable price for the task order.We make two recommendations regarding invoice review and three recommendations regarding contract administration to help the USGS improve its contract oversight and maintain complete and comprehensive documentation. Based on the USGS’ response to our draft report, we consider all five recommendations to be resolved but not implemented.