NOAA awards $18.6K for ship repair, highlighting specialized vessel maintenance needs
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $18,555 ($18.6K)
Contractor: Apex PRO Services LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2026-04-10
End Date: 2026-04-23
Contract Duration: 13 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.4K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: NOAA SHIP OKEANOS EXPLORER FREEZER AND REFRIGERATION REPAIR AND CALIBRATION
Place of Performance
Location: HONOLULU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96818
State: Hawaii Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $18,554.97 to APEX PRO SERVICES LLC for work described as: NOAA SHIP OKEANOS EXPLORER FREEZER AND REFRIGERATION REPAIR AND CALIBRATION Key points: 1. Contract value is modest, suggesting a focus on specific, critical repairs rather than large-scale overhauls. 2. The short duration indicates a time-sensitive need for operational readiness of the OKEANOS EXPLORER. 3. Competition was likely influenced by the specialized nature of refrigeration and freezer systems on research vessels. 4. Performance risk appears low given the short term and fixed-price nature of the award. 5. This contract falls within the broader category of maritime support services, essential for scientific expeditions.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of approximately $18.6K for a 13-day period for repair and calibration of refrigeration and freezer systems is reasonable for specialized maritime equipment. Benchmarking against similar, smaller-scale ship repair contracts suggests this pricing is within expected ranges for targeted maintenance. The firm fixed-price structure provides cost certainty for the government.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), suggesting a limited number of bidders were solicited, likely due to the specialized nature of the required services and the relatively small dollar value. While not full and open competition, SAP aims to balance efficiency with reasonable price discovery for smaller procurements.
Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, limited competition under SAP can sometimes lead to slightly higher prices than full and open competition, but it also ensures timely acquisition of necessary services for critical assets like NOAA research vessels.
Public Impact
The primary beneficiary is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), ensuring the operational readiness of the research vessel OKEANOS EXPLORER. Services delivered include repair and calibration of essential refrigeration and freezer systems, critical for preserving scientific samples and supplies. The geographic impact is localized to the vessel's operational area, likely involving port calls or dry-docking in Hawaii. Workforce implications are minimal, likely involving a small team of specialized technicians for the repair work.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited vendor pool due to specialized equipment knowledge.
- Risk of unforeseen issues during repair requiring scope adjustments or additional funding.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost control.
- Short duration minimizes long-term performance risk.
- Award to APEX PRO SERVICES LLC suggests a potentially established vendor for such services.
Sector Analysis
This contract operates within the maritime services sector, specifically focusing on vessel maintenance and repair. The market for specialized ship repair, particularly for scientific research vessels with unique environmental control systems, is niche. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically involve other government or private sector contracts for similar vessel upkeep, often measured by daily rates or specific system repair costs.
Small Business Impact
The data does not indicate if this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor does it provide information on subcontracting opportunities. Given the small dollar value and specialized nature, it's possible small businesses could be involved, but further details are needed to assess the impact on the small business ecosystem.
Oversight & Accountability
Oversight for this purchase order would typically fall under the contracting officer and program managers within NOAA's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Accountability is ensured through the firm fixed-price agreement and the defined delivery period. Transparency is facilitated by federal procurement data systems, though detailed operational oversight specifics are not provided.
Related Government Programs
- NOAA Ship Maintenance Contracts
- Federal Vessel Repair Services
- Refrigeration System Maintenance
- Maritime Equipment Repair
Risk Flags
- Specialized equipment knowledge required.
- Potential for limited competition impacting price.
- Short duration may indicate urgent operational need.
Tags
noaa, department-of-commerce, ship-repair, refrigeration-repair, calibration-services, purchase-order, firm-fixed-price, simplified-acquisition, hawaii, limited-competition, scientific-vessel
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $18,554.97 to APEX PRO SERVICES LLC. NOAA SHIP OKEANOS EXPLORER FREEZER AND REFRIGERATION REPAIR AND CALIBRATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is APEX PRO SERVICES 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 $18,554.97.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-10. End: 2026-04-23.
What is the track record of APEX PRO SERVICES LLC in performing similar ship repair and calibration services for federal agencies?
A review of federal procurement data indicates that APEX PRO SERVICES LLC has received multiple awards for various services, including some related to facility maintenance and repair. However, specific details regarding their experience with specialized refrigeration and freezer systems on research vessels like the OKEANOS EXPLORER are not readily available in summary data. Further investigation into past performance references and detailed contract histories would be necessary to fully assess their track record for this specific type of work. The current award is a relatively small purchase order, suggesting it may be a test of capabilities or a routine maintenance task.
How does the cost of this repair and calibration compare to industry benchmarks for similar services on research vessels?
Benchmarking the cost of this $18.6K contract for a 13-day service period is challenging without more specific details on the exact nature of the repairs and calibration required for the refrigeration and freezer systems. However, considering the specialized equipment and the need for certified technicians, the cost appears reasonable for a targeted intervention. Typical daily rates for specialized maritime repair technicians can range significantly, but a contract of this size for a short duration suggests efficient resource allocation. Comparing it to larger, multi-year service contracts would not be appropriate; instead, it should be evaluated against other small, time-sensitive repair orders for similar vessel components.
What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they mitigated?
The primary risks associated with this contract include potential technical difficulties during repair that could extend the timeline or increase costs (though mitigated by the fixed-price nature), and the risk of the contractor lacking the specific expertise for NOAA's unique equipment. Mitigation strategies include the government's pre-award due diligence (even under SAP), the firm fixed-price contract structure which incentivizes the contractor to manage costs and timelines efficiently, and the short duration which limits the exposure to prolonged performance issues. The government also retains the right to inspect the work and ensure it meets specifications before final payment.
What is the historical spending pattern for the OKEANOS EXPLORER's refrigeration and freezer system maintenance?
Historical spending data specifically for the OKEANOS EXPLORER's refrigeration and freezer system maintenance is not provided in the summary data. However, the award of this $18.6K purchase order suggests a need for ongoing or episodic maintenance. Research vessels typically require regular upkeep of critical systems to ensure mission continuity. Analyzing past NOAA procurement records for the OKEANOS EXPLORER or similar NOAA vessels would be necessary to identify trends in spending, frequency of repairs, and average costs for such services over time. This single award does not provide sufficient data to establish a historical pattern.
What is the significance of the short contract duration (13 days) for this repair and calibration work?
The short contract duration of 13 days for the repair and calibration of the OKEANOS EXPLORER's refrigeration and freezer systems is highly significant. It indicates an urgent need to restore or maintain critical functionality, likely to ensure the vessel's operational readiness for an upcoming mission or to address a pressing issue that could compromise scientific samples or supplies. This short timeframe also suggests that the scope of work is well-defined and manageable within the specified period, minimizing disruption to the vessel's schedule and reducing the overall risk exposure for both the government and the contractor.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Ship and Boat Building › Ship Building and Repairing
Product/Service Code: MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD EQUIPMENT › MAINT, REPAIR, REBUILD OF EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 1333MK26Q0047
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 528 S CEDAR ST, LAMONI, IA, 50140
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Partnership or Limited Liability Partnership, Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business, Woman Owned Business, Women Owned Small Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $18,555
Exercised Options: $18,555
Current Obligation: $18,555
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-10
Current End Date: 2026-04-23
Potential End Date: 2026-04-23 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
Other Department of Commerce Contracts
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop the Ground System That Will Support Noaa S Next Generation Geostationary Satellite Series, Goes-R. This NEW Series of Spacecraft, SET to Begin Launching in 2015, IS Expected to Double the Clarity of Today S Satellite Imagery and Provide AT Least 20 Times More Atmospheric Observations From Space. the Contractor IS to Design, Develop, Test and Implement the Goes-R Ground System. the Ground System Will Capture Data From the Goes-R Satellites, and Process and Distribute the Information to Operational Users — $1.8B (L3harris Technologies, Inc.)
- Engineering Services and Development Leading to the Delivery of the Jpss Common Ground System Instrument and Support — $1.6B (Raytheon Company)
- Enterprise Solutions Framework (ESF) for Multi-Tiered Acquisition Framework for Systems Engineering and Integration - Program Tier Work Order 003 - 2020 Census Technical Integrator — $1.5B (T-Rex Solutions LLC)
- THE Goal of the Decennial Response Integration System (dris) Contract IS to Obtain a Practical Solution to Providing Respondent Assistance and Data Capture for the 2010 Census — $930.7M (Lockheed Martin Services, LLC)
- 2020 Census Questionnaire Assistance (2020 CQA) — $918.3M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)