Forest Service awards $18.4K for stream temperature loggers, highlighting instrument manufacturing for environmental monitoring

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $18,370 ($18.4K)

Contractor: Fotronic Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2026-04-10

End Date: 2026-06-12

Contract Duration: 63 days

Daily Burn Rate: $292/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE

Sector: Other

Official Description: PURCHASING 110 ONSET HOBO TIDBIT V2 WATER TEMPERATURE DATA LOGGER UTBI-001 ANNUALLY FOR LONG TERM STREAM TEMPERATURE MONITORING FOR THE PACFISH/INFISH MONITORING PROGRAM.

Place of Performance

Location: WOBURN, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 01801

State: Massachusetts Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $18,370 to FOTRONIC CORPORATION for work described as: PURCHASING 110 ONSET HOBO TIDBIT V2 WATER TEMPERATURE DATA LOGGER UTBI-001 ANNUALLY FOR LONG TERM STREAM TEMPERATURE MONITORING FOR THE PACFISH/INFISH MONITORING PROGRAM. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on essential environmental monitoring equipment, crucial for understanding aquatic ecosystems. 2. Annual procurement suggests a recurring need for these data loggers, indicating ongoing program requirements. 3. The fixed-price award fee structure incentivizes performance while managing cost predictability. 4. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a competitive market for this equipment. 5. The relatively small award value indicates a niche requirement within a broader monitoring program.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $18,370 for 110 units of the ONSET HOBO TIDBIT V2 logger appears reasonable given the unit price of approximately $167. This price is within the expected range for specialized environmental monitoring instruments. Benchmarking against similar data loggers used for long-term stream temperature monitoring suggests competitive pricing, especially considering the fixed-price award fee structure which can offer some cost control.

Cost Per Unit: Approximately $167 per unit (110 units / $18,370).

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. The Forest Service likely sought proposals from various manufacturers and suppliers of environmental monitoring equipment. The presence of a competitive bidding process generally leads to better price discovery and ensures that the government receives the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition ensures that taxpayer dollars are used efficiently by fostering a market where prices are driven down by multiple bidders, leading to a better value for the government.

Public Impact

Benefits researchers and resource managers involved in the PacFish/InFish Monitoring Program. Provides critical data for long-term stream temperature monitoring, essential for aquatic habitat assessment. Supports the understanding and management of cold-water fish populations and their habitats. Geographic impact is focused on areas covered by the PacFish/InFish programs, likely in the Pacific Northwest. Workforce implications include support for environmental scientists, technicians, and data analysts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for obsolescence of technology if not regularly updated.
Dependence on a single model may limit future flexibility if needs change.

Positive Signals

Procurement of reliable, established technology for critical monitoring.
Annual procurement ensures continuity of essential data collection.
Fixed-price award fee structure provides cost certainty with performance incentives.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals sector, specifically for environmental monitoring devices. This niche market serves agencies like the Forest Service that require precise data for resource management. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other federal or state procurements for similar environmental sensors and data loggers used in ecological studies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. The award value is relatively small, which might typically be suitable for small business participation, but the specific nature of the equipment and the competitive process did not prioritize a small business set-aside in this instance.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is likely managed by the Forest Service contracting officers and program managers responsible for the PacFish/InFish Monitoring Program. Accountability measures are embedded in the fixed-price award fee contract type, which links payment to performance. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases where contract awards are publicly reported.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Equipment
Water Quality Sensors
Ecological Research Support
Forest Management Programs
Fisheries Management

Risk Flags

Potential for data inaccuracy if loggers are not calibrated or maintained properly.
Risk of equipment loss or damage in remote field environments.
Dependence on contractor's ability to deliver specified quantity and quality on time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $18,370 to FOTRONIC CORPORATION. PURCHASING 110 ONSET HOBO TIDBIT V2 WATER TEMPERATURE DATA LOGGER UTBI-001 ANNUALLY FOR LONG TERM STREAM TEMPERATURE MONITORING FOR THE PACFISH/INFISH MONITORING PROGRAM.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FOTRONIC CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Forest Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $18,370.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-06-12.

What is the track record of FOTRONIC CORPORATION in supplying similar environmental monitoring equipment to federal agencies?

FOTRONIC CORPORATION, as the contractor, is listed with a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code of 334515, which covers the manufacturing of instruments for measuring and testing electricity and electrical signals. While the provided data does not detail FOTRONIC's specific track record with federal agencies for this exact product line, their classification suggests they are a manufacturer in this domain. Further investigation into federal procurement databases (like SAM.gov or FPDS) would be necessary to ascertain the extent of their past performance, including the number and value of previous awards, client agencies, and any performance ratings or past performance questionnaires associated with them. This would provide a clearer picture of their reliability and experience in fulfilling similar contracts.

How does the unit cost of $167 per data logger compare to market rates for similar devices?

The unit cost of approximately $167 for the ONSET HOBO TIDBIT V2 water temperature data logger appears to be competitive within the market for specialized environmental monitoring equipment. These loggers are designed for long-term deployment in potentially harsh conditions and require a certain level of ruggedness, accuracy, and data storage capacity. Prices for similar high-quality, submersible temperature data loggers from reputable brands can range from $100 to over $300 depending on features such as logging interval, memory capacity, battery life, deployment depth rating, and included software. Given these factors, $167 per unit for a device used in a long-term monitoring program suggests a reasonable value, especially when procured through a competitive process.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential technical failures of the data loggers, data loss due to environmental factors or device malfunction, and the risk of the contractor failing to meet delivery or performance specifications. Mitigation strategies are embedded within the contract structure. The fixed-price award fee (FP-AF) type incentivizes FOTRONIC CORPORATION to perform well by offering potential award fees tied to performance metrics, while also providing cost certainty. The Forest Service's oversight, likely through contracting officers and program managers, will monitor performance and adherence to specifications. Furthermore, the annual procurement cycle allows for reassessment of the contractor and equipment based on performance data from previous years, providing an opportunity to switch vendors if issues arise.

How effective is the PacFish/InFish Monitoring Program in achieving its stated goals, and how do these data loggers contribute?

The PacFish/InFish Monitoring Program aims to assess and manage aquatic habitats and fish populations, particularly those dependent on cold-water environments, within the Pacific Northwest. The effectiveness of such programs is typically measured by their ability to inform management decisions, track population trends, and identify habitat stressors. The ONSET HOBO TIDBIT V2 data loggers are crucial tools for this program as they provide continuous, high-resolution temperature data. Stream temperature is a critical factor influencing fish metabolism, growth, survival, and spawning success, as well as dissolved oxygen levels. By providing reliable temperature data, these loggers directly contribute to the program's ability to monitor habitat conditions, detect thermal stress events, evaluate the impact of land management practices on water temperature, and ultimately support the conservation of sensitive aquatic species.

What are the historical spending patterns for stream temperature monitoring equipment by the Forest Service or similar agencies?

Historical spending patterns for stream temperature monitoring equipment by the Forest Service and similar agencies like the EPA or NOAA often show consistent, albeit sometimes fluctuating, investment in these tools. Agencies typically procure these devices annually or biannually to support ongoing monitoring programs, especially those focused on watershed health, fisheries management, and climate change impact assessment. Spending can vary based on program funding cycles, specific research initiatives, and the scale of monitoring efforts. While this specific award is $18,370, larger contracts for more extensive monitoring networks or higher-end equipment could reach hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars over time. Analyzing past Forest Service contracts for NAICS code 334515 or keywords like 'data logger,' 'temperature sensor,' and 'stream monitoring' would reveal trends in volume, value, and types of equipment purchased.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 4

Pricing Type: FIXED PRICE AWARD FEE (M)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 5 COMMONWEALTH AVE UNIT 6, WOBURN, MA, 01801

Business Categories: Category Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $18,370

Exercised Options: $18,370

Current Obligation: $18,370

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: GS07F0375T

IDV Type: FSS

Timeline