Agriculture Department awards $22.7M contract for aquaculture system design, with Stanley Consultants Inc. selected

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $22,724 ($22.7K)

Contractor: Stanley Consultants, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Agriculture

Start Date: 2025-08-06

End Date: 2026-05-01

Contract Duration: 268 days

Daily Burn Rate: $85/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AS-BUILT DRAWINGS FOR NCAH AQUACULTURE SYSTEM

Place of Performance

Location: AMES, STORY County, IOWA, 50010

State: Iowa Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Agriculture obligated $22,724.4 to STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC. for work described as: AS-BUILT DRAWINGS FOR NCAH AQUACULTURE SYSTEM Key points: 1. Contract awarded for engineering services related to an aquaculture system. 2. The contract is a firm-fixed-price delivery order, indicating predictable costs. 3. Competition was full and open, suggesting a potentially competitive bidding process. 4. The contract duration is 268 days, ending in May 2026. 5. The award falls under the Engineering Services category. 6. The contract is not set aside for small businesses.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $22.7 million for engineering services for an aquaculture system is difficult to benchmark without more specific details on the system's complexity and scope. As a delivery order under a larger contract (indicated by 'IA' for IDIQ-AMA), its value is relative to the parent contract's ceiling. The firm-fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for this specific task order. However, without comparable project costs or detailed scope of work, a precise value-for-money assessment is challenging.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, which typically involves a broad solicitation to all interested and capable contractors. This method is designed to maximize competition and potentially achieve better pricing and quality. The number of bidders is not specified, but the open nature suggests that multiple firms likely had the opportunity to submit proposals, allowing for price discovery and selection of the most advantageous offer.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by fostering a competitive environment that can drive down costs and encourage innovation, leading to better use of public funds.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), which will receive the as-built drawings and engineering services. The services delivered will support the development or maintenance of an aquaculture system, crucial for animal health and potentially food security initiatives. The geographic impact is primarily within Iowa, where the contractor is located, but the ultimate impact of the aquaculture system could be national. The contract supports the engineering services sector, potentially involving specialized technical expertise.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific details on the aquaculture system's complexity makes it hard to assess if the price is fully justified.
The 'IA' contract type (potentially IDIQ-AMA) might imply a broader framework where this delivery order's value is just one part, making standalone assessment limited.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for this specific task.
Full and open competition suggests a robust process for selecting the contractor.
The contractor, Stanley Consultants, Inc., is likely experienced in engineering services.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Engineering Services sector (NAICS code 541330), which is a significant part of the professional, scientific, and technical services industry. The market for engineering services supporting government infrastructure and specialized systems like aquaculture is substantial. Comparable spending benchmarks would depend on the scale and technical requirements of the specific aquaculture system being designed or documented.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (sb: false). Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications specifically mandated for small businesses through a set-aside. However, the prime contractor, Stanley Consultants, Inc., may still engage small businesses as subcontractors based on their own procurement practices or the needs of the project.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). As a delivery order, it likely falls under a larger Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) or similar contract vehicle, which would have its own oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally facilitated through contract award databases like FPDS. Accountability measures would include adherence to the Statement of Work, delivery schedules, and quality standards, with potential recourse for non-performance.

Related Government Programs

Aquaculture Infrastructure Development
Animal Health Monitoring Systems
Agricultural Research Facilities
Engineering and Design Services

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep due to complexity of aquaculture systems.
Risk of schedule delays impacting downstream operations.
Need for specialized engineering expertise specific to aquaculture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Agriculture awarded $22,724.4 to STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC.. AS-BUILT DRAWINGS FOR NCAH AQUACULTURE SYSTEM

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is STANLEY CONSULTANTS, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Agriculture (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $22,724.4.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-08-06. End: 2026-05-01.

What is the specific nature and complexity of the 'NCAH AQUACULTURE SYSTEM' for which as-built drawings are being procured?

The provided data does not detail the specific nature or complexity of the 'NCAH AQUACULTURE SYSTEM'. 'NCAH' likely refers to the National Center for Animal Health, suggesting the system is related to animal health research, containment, or breeding. As-built drawings are typically created after construction or modification to accurately reflect the final state of a facility or system. The complexity would dictate the level of detail required in the drawings and the engineering expertise needed, influencing the overall cost and duration of the contract. Without further information on the system's scale, technological components, or intended use, a precise assessment of its complexity remains speculative.

How does the $22.7 million contract value compare to similar engineering contracts for aquaculture systems?

Benchmarking this $22.7 million contract value against similar engineering contracts for aquaculture systems is challenging without more specific project details. The cost of engineering services for aquaculture can vary significantly based on factors such as the size of the facility, the type of species being raised, the technological sophistication (e.g., recirculating aquaculture systems vs. flow-through), environmental controls, water treatment requirements, and regulatory compliance needs. A contract of this magnitude suggests a substantial project, potentially involving design, documentation, or oversight for a large-scale or highly specialized aquaculture operation. To provide a meaningful comparison, data on contracts for similarly sized and technically complex aquaculture facilities, including their scope of work and duration, would be necessary.

What is Stanley Consultants, Inc.'s track record with the Department of Agriculture or similar federal agencies for engineering projects?

Stanley Consultants, Inc. has a history of performing engineering services for various federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture. Their portfolio often includes infrastructure, environmental, and facility design projects. While specific details on their past performance related to aquaculture systems for APHIS are not provided in this data snippet, their general experience in engineering services suggests they possess the foundational capabilities required. A comprehensive assessment of their track record would involve reviewing past performance evaluations, contract history with relevant agencies, and the successful completion of projects with similar technical requirements and scale. Their selection for this contract implies they met the agency's criteria based on past performance or qualifications.

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

Potential risks for this contract include scope creep, delays in project completion, and potential cost overruns if the firm-fixed-price is not adequately estimated for unforeseen complexities. Technical risks could arise from the specific engineering challenges of the aquaculture system itself. Mitigation strategies likely include a clearly defined Statement of Work (SOW), regular progress reviews between the contractor and APHIS, and adherence to the firm-fixed-price agreement which caps the government's liability. The contract's duration of 268 days ending in May 2026 suggests a defined timeline, and the full and open competition process may have helped select a contractor with a proven ability to manage such projects effectively. However, the lack of detailed risk indicators in the provided data limits a thorough assessment.

How does the 'IA' contract type (potentially IDIQ-AMA) influence the oversight and management of this specific delivery order?

The 'IA' designation, often indicating an IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity) contract with an "AMA" (Assigned Management Agency) or similar structure, means this $22.7 million award is a specific task order or delivery order issued under a larger, pre-negotiated contract vehicle. This structure typically streamlines the procurement process for future needs. Oversight for this delivery order is managed by the agency that awarded the parent IDIQ, or the assigned agency, in coordination with the tasking agency (APHIS in this case). Management involves ensuring the delivery order's scope, schedule, and cost align with the parent contract's terms and conditions. Accountability rests with both the contractor for performance and the government for proper administration of the IDIQ vehicle and the specific order.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Engineering Services

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - CONSTRUCTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Stanley Consultants Inc.

Address: 100 COURT AVE, STE 300, DES MOINES, IA, 50309

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $22,724

Exercised Options: $22,724

Current Obligation: $22,724

Actual Outlays: $21,588

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 12639521D0055

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline