NOAA awards $22.5M for Fishery Observer Support Services to A.I.S., Inc. under full and open competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $22,476,901 ($22.5M)
Contractor: A.I.S., Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2019-07-30
End Date: 2024-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,889 days
Daily Burn Rate: $11.9K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FISHERY OBSERVER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER, NORTH PACIFIC OBSERVER PROGRAM
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98115
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $22.5 million to A.I.S., INC. for work described as: FISHERY OBSERVER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER, NORTH PACIFIC OBSERVER PROGRAM Key points: 1. The contract supports the Alaska Fisheries Science Center's North Pacific Observer Program. 2. A.I.S., Inc. is the incumbent contractor, suggesting potential for sustained performance. 3. The contract value is significant, requiring careful monitoring of service delivery and cost. 4. The 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' NAICS code indicates a specialized service area.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract is a firm-fixed-price definitive contract, which provides cost certainty. The total award amount of $22.5M over approximately 5 years suggests a reasonable annual spend for specialized scientific support services.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under 'FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES,' indicating a competitive process was used, though specific details of source exclusion are not provided. This method aims to ensure fair pricing and access to a broad range of qualified contractors.
Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is designed to secure the best value for taxpayers by fostering competition among qualified firms.
Public Impact
Ensures continued data collection critical for sustainable fisheries management in the North Pacific. Supports scientific research and policy development for vital marine ecosystems. Maintains operational capacity for the North Pacific Observer Program, impacting regional fishing industries.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of detail on 'exclusion of sources' in the competition method.
- Potential for contractor lock-in if A.I.S., Inc. is the sole provider of specific expertise.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
- Full and open competition generally leads to better pricing.
- Long-term contract supports program stability.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' a broad category. Benchmarking requires comparison to similar specialized scientific support contracts, which can vary widely based on technical requirements and geographic scope.
Small Business Impact
The data indicates this contract was not set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses were likely not primary targets for this specific award, though they may participate as subcontractors.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) under the Department of Commerce. Oversight would focus on performance metrics, adherence to contract terms, and effective delivery of observer support services to ensure scientific integrity and program goals are met.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential lack of transparency in the 'exclusion of sources' process.
- Risk of incumbent advantage limiting future competition.
- Dependence on a single contractor for critical scientific support.
- Need for robust performance monitoring to ensure value for money.
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-commerce, wa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $22.5 million to A.I.S., INC.. FISHERY OBSERVER SUPPORT SERVICES FOR THE ALASKA FISHERIES SCIENCE CENTER, NORTH PACIFIC OBSERVER PROGRAM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is A.I.S., 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 $22.5 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2019-07-30. End: 2024-09-30.
What specific technical capabilities does A.I.S., Inc. possess that made them the selected contractor, and were these capabilities unique?
The provided data does not detail the specific technical capabilities of A.I.S., Inc. or whether they were unique. Understanding these specifics would clarify the 'exclusion of sources' aspect of the competition and assess if the government secured the best possible technical solution or if alternatives might have been overlooked.
How does the annual cost of this contract compare to similar fishery observer support services in other regions or programs?
Benchmarking the annual cost of $4.5M ($22.5M / 5 years) against similar contracts is crucial for value assessment. Without comparative data on the scope, duration, and complexity of services provided by other programs, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents excellent value or if there are opportunities for cost savings.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how is A.I.S., Inc.'s performance being measured?
The data does not specify the KPIs or performance measurement methods for this contract. Effective oversight requires clearly defined metrics related to data accuracy, timeliness of reporting, observer deployment efficiency, and overall program support to ensure the contractor is meeting NOAA's objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES
Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE
Solicitation ID: 1305M319RNFFS0001
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 14 BARNABAS ROAD, MARION, MA, 02738
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, Subchapter S Corporation, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $37,734,456
Exercised Options: $28,045,116
Current Obligation: $22,476,901
Actual Outlays: $3,718,073
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2019-07-30
Current End Date: 2024-09-30
Potential End Date: 2024-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-07-01
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