NOAA Awards $19M Contract for Fishery Observer Support Services to Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $19,086,819 ($19.1M)
Contractor: Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2022-09-30
End Date: 2026-09-29
Contract Duration: 1,460 days
Daily Burn Rate: $13.1K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FISHERY OBSERVER SUPPORT SERVICES
Place of Performance
Location: SEATTLE, KING County, WASHINGTON, 98115
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $19.1 million to PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION for work described as: FISHERY OBSERVER SUPPORT SERVICES Key points: 1. Contract awarded to a single entity, raising questions about competition. 2. The contract value of $19M over four years warrants scrutiny for cost-effectiveness. 3. Focus on 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services' requires clear performance metrics. 4. Geographic focus on Washington state may limit broader applicability of services.
Value Assessment
Rating: questionable
The contract value of $19M for four years averages $4.77M annually. Benchmarking against similar professional services contracts is difficult without more specific service details. The lack of competition makes a direct pricing comparison challenging.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed, indicating a sole-source award. This method bypasses competitive bidding, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced innovation. The rationale for sole-source is not provided, impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: The absence of competition may result in taxpayers paying more than necessary for these essential fishery observer support services.
Public Impact
Impacts the management and sustainability of vital U.S. fisheries. Ensures data collection for regulatory compliance and scientific research. Supports jobs and economic activity within the marine science and services sector.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award justification
Positive Signals
- Supports critical fishery management functions
- Long-term contract provides stability for services
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services,' a broad category. Spending in this area can vary widely depending on the specific services procured. Without more detail on the exact services, it's hard to benchmark against typical government spending in this NAICS code.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, which is a multi-state non-profit consortium. There is no indication that small businesses were involved as subcontractors or partners in this award.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source nature of this award warrants close oversight to ensure the services are necessary, performed effectively, and priced reasonably. NOAA should provide clear justification for the lack of competition and robust performance monitoring.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Sole-source award lacks competitive justification.
- High contract value requires rigorous performance monitoring.
- Broad service category may obscure specific cost drivers.
- Potential for cost overruns without competitive benchmarking.
Tags
all-other-professional-scientific-and-te, department-of-commerce, wa, definitive-contract, 10m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $19.1 million to PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION. FISHERY OBSERVER SUPPORT SERVICES
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is PACIFIC STATES MARINE FISHERIES COMMISSION.
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 $19.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2022-09-30. End: 2026-09-29.
What specific services are included under 'Fishery Observer Support Services' to justify the $19M price tag?
The contract details do not specify the exact services. Typically, fishery observer support can include data collection, observer deployment, training, equipment maintenance, and logistical support for scientific and compliance monitoring at sea. A detailed breakdown of tasks and deliverables is crucial for assessing value for money.
What are the risks associated with awarding this contract on a sole-source basis?
The primary risk is the potential for inflated costs due to the absence of competitive pressure. There's also a risk of reduced service quality or innovation if the contractor faces no market alternatives. Furthermore, it raises concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other qualified service providers.
How will the effectiveness of these fishery observer support services be measured and ensured?
Effectiveness should be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to data accuracy, timeliness of reporting, observer deployment rates, and compliance with scientific protocols. Regular performance reviews and feedback mechanisms involving stakeholders are essential to ensure the services meet NOAA's objectives.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED
Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE
Solicitation ID: 1305M322RNFFP0032
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 205 SE SPOKANE ST STE 100, PORTLAND, OR, 97216
Business Categories: Category Business, Government, U.S. Interstate Government Entity, U.S. National Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $24,565,772
Exercised Options: $19,086,819
Current Obligation: $19,086,819
Actual Outlays: $11,581,926
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2022-09-30
Current End Date: 2026-09-29
Potential End Date: 2027-09-29 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2025-09-15
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