Commerce awards $76K BPA Call for environmental consulting, highlighting rapid response needs

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $76,000 ($76.0K)

Contractor: Genwest Systems Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-03-11

End Date: 2026-04-20

Contract Duration: 40 days

Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: BLOCK 59 LOOP SPILL EMERGENCY ORDER OR APPROVAL OR-FY26-01987

Place of Performance

Location: SILVER SPRING, MONTGOMERY County, MARYLAND, 20910

State: Maryland Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $76,000 to GENWEST SYSTEMS INC for work described as: BLOCK 59 LOOP SPILL EMERGENCY ORDER OR APPROVAL OR-FY26-01987 Key points: 1. Contract awarded via BPA Call, suggesting pre-competed services for efficiency. 2. Short duration indicates a specific, time-sensitive need. 3. Environmental consulting services are crucial for regulatory compliance and operational support. 4. The award value is relatively small, typical for task orders under larger agreements. 5. Focus on emergency orders suggests a need for agile and responsive contractors.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The award of $76,000 for a 40-day period appears reasonable for specialized environmental consulting. As a BPA Call, the underlying contract likely underwent a competitive process, establishing a baseline for pricing. Without specific details on the services rendered, direct comparison is difficult, but the value aligns with typical task orders for expert support in critical situations.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under a Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) Call, which implies that the underlying BPA was established through full and open competition. Task orders under BPAs are typically awarded based on pre-negotiated terms and conditions, often to the most advantageous offer among BPA holders. The specific competition for this call order is not detailed but benefits from the initial broad competition.

Taxpayer Impact: Utilizing a competitively established BPA ensures that taxpayers receive fair pricing for these essential environmental services, leveraging pre-vetted vendors and negotiated rates.

Public Impact

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) benefits from timely environmental consulting. Services likely support emergency response or critical operational needs. Geographic impact is focused on Maryland, where the services are presumably delivered. The contract supports specialized environmental expertise, potentially involving a small team of consultants.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Short contract duration may limit the depth of analysis or long-term solutions.
Reliance on BPA calls can sometimes obscure the specific competition for individual task orders.

Positive Signals

Awarded under a BPA suggests a streamlined procurement process for urgent needs.
The contract addresses critical environmental consulting, indicating proactive agency management.
The specific nature of 'emergency order' implies a well-defined need for rapid support.

Sector Analysis

Environmental consulting services fall under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often supports government agencies in regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessments, and emergency response. Spending in this area is driven by federal mandates and the need for scientific and technical support across various agencies.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements. Given the small award value and the nature of the services, it is possible that larger firms may hold the BPA, with potential for small business subcontracting opportunities not explicitly detailed in this award.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight is managed through the terms of the underlying BPA and the specific task order. NOAA's contracting officers are responsible for monitoring performance and ensuring compliance. Transparency is facilitated by the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS), where contract awards are reported.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Emergency Response Contracts
NOAA Procurement
BPA Call Awards

Risk Flags

Short contract duration
Time and Materials pricing
Emergency order designation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $76,000 to GENWEST SYSTEMS INC. BLOCK 59 LOOP SPILL EMERGENCY ORDER OR APPROVAL OR-FY26-01987

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GENWEST SYSTEMS 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 $76,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-03-11. End: 2026-04-20.

What specific environmental issues does this contract address?

While the award notice specifies 'Environmental Consulting Services' and an 'EMERGENCY ORDER OR APPROVAL', the precise nature of the environmental issue is not detailed. It could range from immediate spill response, regulatory compliance checks during an unforeseen event, environmental impact assessment for a rapidly developing situation, or consultation on emergency operational procedures. The short duration suggests a focused, immediate problem requiring expert input rather than a long-term remediation project.

How does the pricing compare to similar environmental consulting contracts?

Benchmarking this $76,000 award for a 40-day period is challenging without knowing the exact services provided. However, as a BPA Call, the pricing is likely based on rates pre-negotiated during the competitive BPA award. Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, like this one, can vary significantly based on labor categories and skill levels. Generally, government rates for specialized consulting are competitive, but T&M requires careful monitoring to ensure efficiency and prevent cost overruns.

What is the track record of GENWEST SYSTEMS INC with the federal government?

GENWEST SYSTEMS INC has a history of federal contracting, primarily with agencies like the Department of Commerce and the Department of Defense. Their awards often fall within professional, scientific, and technical services categories, including environmental consulting. Analyzing their past performance on similar contracts, including adherence to schedules, quality of deliverables, and overall customer satisfaction, would provide further insight into their reliability for this specific emergency order.

What are the risks associated with a Time and Materials contract for emergency environmental consulting?

The primary risk with Time and Materials (T&M) contracts, especially for emergency services, is the potential for cost escalation if the scope or duration is not well-defined or managed. Unforeseen complexities can lead to increased hours and material costs. For this contract, the short duration and 'emergency' nature mitigate some risk, but effective oversight by NOAA is crucial to monitor labor hours, ensure efficient work, and confirm that the final cost aligns with the value delivered.

How does this contract fit into NOAA's broader environmental mission and spending?

This contract, though small in dollar value, directly supports NOAA's mission by providing critical environmental expertise, likely for immediate operational needs or regulatory compliance. NOAA frequently engages consultants for specialized tasks that require expertise beyond their in-house capabilities. Awards like this, particularly for emergency situations, are essential for maintaining environmental stewardship and responding effectively to unforeseen events, fitting within NOAA's overall budget for scientific and technical support services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental 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

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 406 2ND AVE N, EDMONDS, WA, 98020

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $76,000

Exercised Options: $76,000

Current Obligation: $76,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M225A0008

IDV Type: BPA

Timeline