NOAA awards $6M for Lower Duwamish River & Portland Harbor natural resource damage assessment services
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $6,092,606 ($6.1M)
Contractor: Industrial Economics Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2019-02-12
End Date: 2024-08-09
Contract Duration: 2,005 days
Daily Burn Rate: $3.0K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS
Sector: Other
Official Description: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT A NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FOR THE LOWER DUWAMISH RIVER AND PORTLAND HARBOR CASE.
Place of Performance
Location: CAMBRIDGE, MIDDLESEX County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02140
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $6.1 million to INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC for work described as: SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT A NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FOR THE LOWER DUWAMISH RIVER AND PORTLAND HARBOR CASE. Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Industrial Economics Inc. for scientific and technical services. 2. Focus on natural resource damage assessment for specific environmental cases. 3. Full and open competition used, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 4. Contract duration is extensive, spanning over 5 years.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $6.09M over 5 years appears reasonable for specialized scientific and technical consulting services. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts would provide a more precise assessment.
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 method generally promotes price discovery and competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential environmental damage assessment services, aiming to ensure accountability and remediation for environmental harm.
Public Impact
Supports critical environmental protection and restoration efforts. Ensures scientific rigor in assessing damage to natural resources. Contributes to legal and regulatory processes for environmental cleanup.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns with Time and Materials contract type.
- Long contract duration may not reflect evolving needs or market prices.
Positive Signals
- Awarded through full and open competition.
- Supports important environmental policy and enforcement.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under administrative management and general management consulting services, specifically focused on environmental consulting. Spending in this sector is driven by regulatory requirements and environmental stewardship initiatives.
Small Business Impact
The contract data indicates that small business participation was not a factor in this award (sb: false). Further analysis would be needed to determine if opportunities for small businesses were overlooked or if the nature of the work precluded their involvement.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), a federal agency responsible for environmental monitoring and management. Oversight would involve ensuring the quality and cost-effectiveness of the services provided.
Related Government Programs
- Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Time and Materials contract type.
- Long contract duration.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Potential for scope creep.
Tags
administrative-management-and-general-ma, department-of-commerce, ma, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $6.1 million to INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC. SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES TO SUPPORT A NATURAL RESOURCE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT FOR THE LOWER DUWAMISH RIVER AND PORTLAND HARBOR CASE.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $6.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-02-12. End: 2024-08-09.
What is the typical cost range for similar natural resource damage assessment contracts?
The typical cost range for natural resource damage assessment contracts can vary significantly based on the complexity of the case, the geographic scope, and the specific scientific expertise required. Contracts can range from tens of thousands to millions of dollars. This $6.09M contract appears to be on the higher end, suggesting a complex and extensive assessment.
What are the risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for this type of service?
Time and Materials (T&M) contracts carry a risk of cost escalation if not carefully managed. The government pays for the actual time and materials used, which can lead to higher costs than fixed-price contracts if the scope of work is not well-defined or if inefficiencies arise. Robust oversight is crucial to mitigate these risks.
How effectively does this contract contribute to the overall goals of environmental protection and restoration?
This contract is crucial for achieving environmental protection and restoration goals by providing the necessary scientific and technical expertise to accurately assess damages. The findings directly inform remediation strategies and legal actions, ensuring that responsible parties are held accountable and that affected ecosystems are restored.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCES - OTHER SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 2067 MASSACHUSETTS AVE STE 4, CAMBRIDGE, MA, 02140
Business Categories: Category Business, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $6,092,606
Exercised Options: $6,092,606
Current Obligation: $6,092,606
Actual Outlays: $2,273,437
Subaward Activity
Number of Subawards: 17
Total Subaward Amount: $2,560,911
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: GS10F0061N
IDV Type: FSS
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-02-12
Current End Date: 2024-08-09
Potential End Date: 2024-08-09 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-03-10
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