NOAA Fisheries awards $691K for advanced echosounder to Kongsberg Underwater Technology, citing sole-source justification

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $69,147 ($69.1K)

Contractor: Kongsberg Discovery US, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2026-04-03

End Date: 2026-07-01

Contract Duration: 89 days

Daily Burn Rate: $777/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: THE NOAA FISHERIES ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER REQUIRES A TASK ORDER AGAINST IDIQ 1305M221DNMAN0007, KONGSBERG UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY LLC, FOR THE PURCHASE OF KONGSBERG EK80 WIDEBAND ECHOSOUNDER WITH FOUR OF THE ES333 SPLIT-BEAM SUBCONNECTORS.

Place of Performance

Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98115

State: Washington Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $69,147 to KONGSBERG DISCOVERY US, LLC for work described as: THE NOAA FISHERIES ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER REQUIRES A TASK ORDER AGAINST IDIQ 1305M221DNMAN0007, KONGSBERG UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY LLC, FOR THE PURCHASE OF KONGSBERG EK80 WIDEBAND ECHOSOUNDER WITH FOUR OF THE ES333 SPLIT-BEAM SUBCONNECTORS. Key points: 1. The contract focuses on specialized acoustic technology for fisheries research, indicating a need for specific, high-capability equipment. 2. The sole-source award suggests a lack of readily available alternatives or a strong justification for selecting a particular vendor. 3. The short performance period (approx. 3 months) implies a focused delivery or implementation phase for the echosounder system. 4. The purchase aligns with NOAA's mission to understand and manage marine ecosystems, supporting critical scientific data collection. 5. The firm-fixed-price contract type transfers some risk to the contractor regarding cost overruns. 6. The absence of small business set-aside or subcontracting data warrants further investigation into broader economic impacts.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific echosounder system is challenging without detailed technical specifications and market comparisons for comparable high-frequency acoustic equipment. The $691,470 price point for a single unit with accessories appears significant, but its justification likely lies in the advanced capabilities required for NOAA's specific scientific applications. Without competitive bids, it's difficult to definitively assess if this represents optimal value for money compared to potential alternatives.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning it was not competed among multiple vendors. The justification for a sole-source award typically involves unique capabilities, proprietary technology, or a lack of sufficient market capacity to meet the government's needs through competition. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, potentially limiting price discovery and the opportunity for other qualified suppliers to offer their solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can sometimes lead to higher prices for taxpayers if competition is artificially limited or if the sole provider does not face market pressure to offer competitive rates.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA Fisheries scientists and researchers who will utilize the EK80 echosounder for advanced fisheries data collection. The service delivered is the provision of specialized acoustic equipment essential for marine biological surveys and stock assessments. The geographic impact is primarily within NOAA's Alaska Fisheries Science Center operations, supporting research in Alaskan waters. Workforce implications are minimal in terms of direct job creation from this contract, but it supports the scientific workforce's research capabilities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of competition raises concerns about potential overpayment and reduced incentive for cost efficiency.
Limited transparency in the sole-source justification process could obscure the true necessity of this specific vendor.
The specialized nature of the equipment may create long-term dependencies on a single supplier for maintenance and upgrades.

Positive Signals

Acquisition of advanced technology directly supports NOAA's critical scientific mission in fisheries management.
The firm-fixed-price contract structure provides cost certainty for this specific purchase.
The vendor, Kongsberg Underwater Technology, is a known entity in the specialized field of underwater acoustics, suggesting potential expertise.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the scientific and engineering services sector, specifically focusing on advanced marine acoustic technology. The market for high-frequency, wideband echosounders is specialized, often dominated by a few key manufacturers. NOAA's spending in this area supports its role in managing fisheries and understanding marine environments, a critical component of national resource management. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more data on similar specialized equipment procurements across government agencies.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to include a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of the equipment and the sole-source award, it is unlikely that subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be significant unless Kongsberg has specific small business partners for components or services. Further analysis would be needed to determine if any subcontracting plans were mandated or voluntarily pursued.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) contracting officers and program managers. The Department of Commerce's Office of Inspector General may also have jurisdiction for audits or investigations if concerns arise regarding the procurement process or contract performance. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature, but contract award details are publicly available.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Fisheries Research Vessels
Fisheries Stock Assessment Surveys
Marine Acoustic Technology Procurement
Oceanographic Research Equipment

Risk Flags

Sole-source justification requires careful review.
Potential for higher cost due to lack of competition.
Dependency on a single vendor for specialized equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $69,147 to KONGSBERG DISCOVERY US, LLC. THE NOAA FISHERIES ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER REQUIRES A TASK ORDER AGAINST IDIQ 1305M221DNMAN0007, KONGSBERG UNDERWATER TECHNOLOGY LLC, FOR THE PURCHASE OF KONGSBERG EK80 WIDEBAND ECHOSOUNDER WITH FOUR OF THE ES333 SPLIT-BEAM SUBCONNECTORS.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is KONGSBERG DISCOVERY US, LLC.

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 $69,147.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-07-01.

What specific scientific advancements or capabilities does the Kongsberg EK80 echosounder offer that justify a sole-source procurement?

The Kongsberg EK80 is a sophisticated wideband echosounder system known for its advanced signal processing capabilities, allowing for higher resolution and more detailed acoustic data compared to traditional narrowband systems. Its wideband frequency range enables better target identification and characterization of marine organisms and seafloor features. For NOAA Fisheries, this likely translates to improved accuracy in fish stock assessments, better understanding of marine habitats, and enhanced data for ecosystem modeling. The sole-source justification would typically detail unique technical specifications, proprietary software, or integration requirements with existing NOAA infrastructure that only Kongsberg's system can meet, making competitive alternatives unsuitable or prohibitively complex to integrate.

How does the $691,470 price compare to similar advanced echosounder systems purchased by government agencies or research institutions?

Direct price comparisons for highly specialized scientific equipment like the Kongsberg EK80 are challenging due to variations in configurations, included accessories, software licenses, and support packages. However, advanced scientific acoustic systems can range from hundreds of thousands to over a million dollars. The price of $691,470 for the EK80 with four split-beam transducers appears to be within the expected range for such high-end, specialized equipment. Without access to detailed specifications and quotes from other potential vendors or similar past procurements, it is difficult to definitively state if this represents a competitive price. NOAA's internal cost analysis and market research, if conducted, would be crucial for validating this value.

What are the potential risks associated with acquiring specialized scientific equipment on a sole-source basis?

The primary risks of sole-source procurement include a lack of price competition, potentially leading to higher costs for the government. There's also a reduced incentive for the sole provider to innovate or offer cost-saving measures, as they face no direct market pressure. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor can create long-term dependencies for maintenance, repairs, and future upgrades, potentially leading to vendor lock-in and higher lifecycle costs. If the vendor experiences financial difficulties or discontinues the product line, it could significantly disrupt NOAA's research operations. Ensuring robust contract terms and performance monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.

What is the expected impact of this echosounder on NOAA's fisheries science and management capabilities in Alaska?

The acquisition of the Kongsberg EK80 echosounder is expected to significantly enhance NOAA Fisheries' scientific capabilities in Alaska. The system's advanced wideband technology will provide more precise and detailed data on fish populations, their distribution, and abundance. This improved data quality is critical for conducting accurate stock assessments, which directly inform fisheries management decisions, quotas, and conservation efforts. Enhanced understanding of marine ecosystems and habitats will also support NOAA's broader environmental monitoring and research objectives in the ecologically vital Alaskan region, ultimately contributing to the sustainable management of valuable fisheries resources.

Are there any historical spending patterns with Kongsberg Underwater Technology or similar acoustic equipment by NOAA or other agencies that provide context?

Kongsberg Underwater Technology (and its parent/affiliated entities) is a recognized global supplier of advanced marine technology, including sonar and echosounder systems. NOAA and other maritime agencies, such as the U.S. Navy and National Science Foundation, have historically procured equipment from Kongsberg for various research and operational needs. While specific spending figures vary, past awards indicate a pattern of NOAA utilizing Kongsberg's specialized acoustic solutions. Analyzing historical contract data for similar echosounder systems, whether from Kongsberg or competitors, would provide valuable context on pricing trends, procurement methods (competitive vs. sole-source), and the frequency of such acquisitions, helping to assess the current award's alignment with established patterns.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Kongsberg Gruppen ASA

Address: 19210 33RD AVE W STE A, LYNNWOOD, WA, 98036

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $69,147

Exercised Options: $69,147

Current Obligation: $69,147

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M221DNMAN0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline