NOAA Awards $4.1M FFP Contract for Hawaiian Vessel Support to Synergy Partners LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $4,127,847 ($4.1M)
Contractor: Synergy Partners LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-04-15
End Date: 2026-09-30
Contract Duration: 898 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.6K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: FIRM-FIXED PRICE (FFP) CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF A CHARTERED VESSEL AND CREW TO SUPPORT PROTECTED SPECIES FIELD CAMP DEPLOYMENTS, RECOVERY, PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEYS AND ANCILLARY OPERATIONS IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, AS DESCRIBED IN THE SOW
Place of Performance
Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96813
State: Hawaii Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $4.1 million to SYNERGY PARTNERS LLC for work described as: FIRM-FIXED PRICE (FFP) CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF A CHARTERED VESSEL AND CREW TO SUPPORT PROTECTED SPECIES FIELD CAMP DEPLOYMENTS, RECOVERY, PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEYS AND ANCILLARY OPERATIONS IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, AS DESCRIBED IN THE SOW Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Synergy Partners LLC for chartered vessel and crew services. 2. Services include protected species field camp deployments, recovery, and surveys in Hawaii. 3. The contract is Firm-Fixed Price (FFP), indicating predictable costs for the government. 4. Competition method was 'Competed under SAP', suggesting a streamlined process for smaller procurements.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract's firm-fixed price structure provides cost certainty. Benchmarking against similar vessel charter contracts is recommended to ensure optimal value, though specific per-unit cost data is not provided.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), indicating it was open to a broad range of potential offerors within the simplified acquisition threshold. This method generally promotes competitive pricing.
Taxpayer Impact: The firm-fixed price nature of the contract helps control costs for taxpayers, ensuring the government pays a set amount for the specified services.
Public Impact
Supports critical environmental research and conservation efforts in Hawaii. Ensures operational capability for NOAA's protected species monitoring programs. Provides essential logistical support for scientific fieldwork in remote marine environments.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen operational challenges arise.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical logistical support.
Positive Signals
- Firm-fixed price contract provides cost predictability.
- Supports vital scientific research and conservation efforts.
- Utilizes a competitive procurement process.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under the Deep Sea Passenger Transportation (PSC 483112) category, supporting NOAA's scientific and environmental missions. Spending in this sector is often driven by research needs and operational requirements for data collection in marine environments.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate whether small businesses were involved in this procurement, either as prime contractors or subcontractors. Further analysis would be needed to assess small business participation.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a streamlined oversight process. Standard contract management practices by NOAA will be crucial to ensure performance and adherence to the SOW.
Related Government Programs
- Deep Sea Passenger Transportation
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for scope creep if ancillary operations expand beyond initial SOW.
- Reliance on contractor's vessel maintenance and operational readiness.
- Geographic isolation of Hawaii may impact response times for issues.
- Environmental sensitivities of protected species require careful operational planning.
Tags
deep-sea-passenger-transportation, department-of-commerce, hi, definitive-contract, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $4.1 million to SYNERGY PARTNERS LLC. FIRM-FIXED PRICE (FFP) CONTRACT FOR THE SUPPLY OF A CHARTERED VESSEL AND CREW TO SUPPORT PROTECTED SPECIES FIELD CAMP DEPLOYMENTS, RECOVERY, PROTECTED SPECIES SURVEYS AND ANCILLARY OPERATIONS IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS, AS DESCRIBED IN THE SOW
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SYNERGY PARTNERS 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 $4.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-04-15. End: 2026-09-30.
What is the benchmark cost for similar chartered vessel services in the Hawaiian Islands?
Benchmarking similar services in the Hawaiian Islands is crucial for validating the $4.1M contract value. Factors like vessel size, crew expertise, duration, and specific operational requirements (e.g., specialized equipment for protected species surveys) significantly influence pricing. Without detailed comparative data, it's difficult to definitively assess if this price represents optimal value for the taxpayer.
What are the specific risks associated with chartering a vessel for protected species research in Hawaii?
Risks include potential weather disruptions impacting fieldwork, unforeseen marine hazards, crew safety, and the specialized nature of protected species surveys requiring specific expertise. The firm-fixed price contract mitigates financial risk for the government, but operational risks remain and require robust management by NOAA and the contractor.
How effectively will this chartered vessel support NOAA's protected species research goals?
The chartered vessel is essential for providing the logistical platform and crew necessary for NOAA's protected species field deployments, recovery, and surveys in the Hawaiian Islands. Its effectiveness hinges on the vessel's suitability for the specific operational demands, the crew's competence, and NOAA's project management to ensure research objectives are met.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Transportation and Warehousing › Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation › Deep Sea Passenger Transportation
Product/Service Code: SHIPS, SMALL CRAFT, PONTOON, DOCKS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 1305M324Q0126
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 123 AHUI ST, HONOLULU, HI, 96813
Business Categories: 8(a) Program Participant, Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Minority Owned Business, Native American Owned Business, Native Hawaiian Organization Owned Firm, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $7,288,479
Exercised Options: $4,192,441
Current Obligation: $4,127,847
Actual Outlays: $2,513,105
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Cost or Pricing Data: NO
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-04-15
Current End Date: 2026-09-30
Potential End Date: 2029-03-01 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-07
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