NOAA awards $969K for marine sanctuary vessel operations, extending existing support

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $969,254 ($969.3K)

Contractor: Cardinal Point Captains, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-09-03

End Date: 2026-09-02

Contract Duration: 364 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.7K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: FOLLOW ON TASK ORDER FOR FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (FGBNMS) VESSEL AND RESEARCH OPERATIONS - CONTRACT 1305M224D0002 VFROSS-V2

Place of Performance

Location: GALVESTON, GALVESTON County, TEXAS, 77551

State: Texas Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $969,254.26 to CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS, INC. for work described as: FOLLOW ON TASK ORDER FOR FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (FGBNMS) VESSEL AND RESEARCH OPERATIONS - CONTRACT 1305M224D0002 VFROSS-V2 Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized vessel and research support over a year. 2. Full and open competition was utilized, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Risk indicators are low, with a clear scope of work and established contractor. 4. Performance context is a follow-on task order, indicating prior successful engagement. 5. Sector positioning is within professional, scientific, and technical services for environmental stewardship.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $969,254.26 for a 364-day period for vessel and research operations at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) appears to be a fair price for specialized services. Benchmarking against similar NOAA or other federal agency contracts for marine research vessel support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, as a follow-on task order, it suggests the pricing was deemed acceptable in previous iterations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple bidders were likely considered. The specific details of the bidding process, such as the number of proposals received and the evaluation criteria, are not provided. However, the 'full and open' designation generally implies a robust competitive environment, which should theoretically lead to better price discovery and value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it maximizes the potential for competitive pricing and ensures that the government receives the best possible value for its investment in essential sanctuary operations.

Public Impact

Benefits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) by ensuring continued operational support for the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. Delivers critical services including vessel operations and research support essential for marine conservation and scientific study. Geographic impact is focused on the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, located in the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. Workforce implications include support for specialized maritime and scientific personnel required for sanctuary management and research activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if research objectives expand beyond the initial task order parameters.
Dependence on a single contractor for critical, time-sensitive vessel operations could pose a risk if unforeseen issues arise with the contractor's capabilities or resources.

Positive Signals

Follow-on nature of the task order suggests a proven track record and established working relationship with the contractor.
Clear contract duration and defined scope of work provide a stable operational framework.
Utilizing full and open competition helps ensure a competitive market price.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, specifically addressing environmental and marine resource management. The market for such services involves specialized firms with expertise in maritime operations, scientific research, and conservation. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve analyzing other federal contracts supporting national marine sanctuaries or similar environmental research initiatives, which often require significant investment in vessel time, equipment, and expert personnel.

Small Business Impact

The contract data indicates that small business participation (ss and sb fields) is false, meaning this contract was not set aside for small businesses. Therefore, there are no direct subcontracting implications for small businesses stemming from a small business set-aside. The primary contractor, Cardinal Point Captains, Inc., is not identified as a small business in this data, suggesting larger firm involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily reside with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the contracting agency. As a task order under a larger contract, oversight mechanisms would likely involve regular performance reviews, milestone tracking, and adherence to the terms and conditions outlined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases, though detailed operational reports may not be publicly available. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply in cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse.

Related Government Programs

National Marine Sanctuary Program
NOAA Vessel Operations
Marine Research and Conservation Contracts
Gulf of Mexico Environmental Services

Risk Flags

Follow-on contract may indicate reliance on existing solutions rather than exploring new innovations.
Contract type is Time and Materials, which can carry higher risk of cost overruns if not closely managed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $969,254.26 to CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS, INC.. FOLLOW ON TASK ORDER FOR FLOWER GARDEN BANKS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (FGBNMS) VESSEL AND RESEARCH OPERATIONS - CONTRACT 1305M224D0002 VFROSS-V2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is CARDINAL POINT CAPTAINS, 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 $969,254.26.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-09-03. End: 2026-09-02.

What is the historical spending trend for vessel and research operations at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary?

Analyzing historical spending for FGBNMS vessel and research operations requires accessing past contract awards and task orders issued by NOAA for this specific sanctuary. As this is a follow-on task order, it implies a continuation of services. Without access to a comprehensive database of prior awards for FGBNMS, it's difficult to establish a precise spending trend. However, the current award of approximately $969K for a one-year period suggests a consistent need for these specialized services. Trends could be influenced by research priorities, operational needs, and budget allocations over time. A deeper dive into NOAA's procurement history for FGBNMS would reveal if this award amount is consistent with, higher than, or lower than previous years, and whether the scope of services has changed.

How does the cost per day for vessel operations compare to industry benchmarks?

Determining the precise cost per day for vessel operations requires dividing the total contract value by the duration in days. For this contract, $969,254.26 / 364 days is approximately $2,663 per day. Benchmarking this against industry rates for specialized research vessels can be challenging as costs vary significantly based on vessel size, capabilities, crew, equipment, and geographic location. However, for dedicated scientific research vessels equipped for marine sanctuary operations, daily charter rates can range from $1,500 to over $10,000. The $2,663 per day figure appears to be on the lower to mid-range, suggesting potentially good value, especially considering it includes research support and is a follow-on task order which might benefit from economies of scale or established efficiencies.

What is the track record of Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. in performing similar federal contracts?

Cardinal Point Captains, Inc. has a history of performing federal contracts, as indicated by this being a follow-on task order. To assess their track record thoroughly, one would need to examine their past performance evaluations (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System - CPARS), the types and values of previous contracts awarded to them, and their success in fulfilling those obligations. As this is a task order under contract 1305M224D0002, it suggests they were previously selected and have likely demonstrated satisfactory performance to warrant this follow-on work. A review of their contract history would reveal their experience in maritime operations, research support, and specific environmental services relevant to NOAA's mission.

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

Primary risks for this contract include potential operational disruptions (e.g., vessel maintenance issues, weather delays), scope creep beyond the defined research and operational needs, and ensuring the continued availability of specialized personnel. Mitigation strategies likely involve robust contract management by NOAA, including regular performance monitoring, clear communication channels with Cardinal Point Captains, Inc., and contingency planning for unforeseen events. The follow-on nature of the task order suggests that initial risks were assessed and managed effectively in prior periods. Furthermore, the defined period of performance and specific deliverables help to constrain the scope and manage expectations, reducing the risk of uncontrolled expansion.

How does this contract contribute to the overall mission of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)?

This contract directly supports NOAA's mission by ensuring the effective management and scientific understanding of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. The sanctuary is a vital ecosystem, and the vessel and research operations funded by this contract are crucial for monitoring its health, conducting scientific research, enforcing regulations, and engaging in conservation efforts. By providing the necessary logistical and operational support, the contract enables NOAA scientists and staff to carry out critical stewardship activities, contributing to NOAA's broader goals of understanding and protecting marine environments, promoting sustainable use of ocean resources, and preserving marine biodiversity.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Cardinal Point Captains Inc.

Address: 5005 TEXAS ST, SAN DIEGO, CA, 92108

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $9,196,253

Exercised Options: $2,964,112

Current Obligation: $969,254

Actual Outlays: $274,600

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M224D0002

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline