Interior Department awards $368K for Utah LiDAR data collection to Aero-Graphics Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $368,399 ($368.4K)

Contractor: Aero-Graphics Inc

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-14

End Date: 2025-05-30

Contract Duration: 624 days

Daily Burn Rate: $590/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: OR-KFFAWO-LIDAR DATA COLLECTION

Place of Performance

Location: SOUTH SALT LAKE, SALT LAKE County, UTAH, 84115

State: Utah Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $368,398.75 to AERO-GRAPHICS INC for work described as: OR-KFFAWO-LIDAR DATA COLLECTION Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized geospatial data services. 2. Firm Fixed Price contract type suggests predictable costs. 3. Performance period extends over 600 days, indicating a substantial project. 4. Awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), implying a focus on smaller value procurements. 5. Geographic focus on Utah suggests specific regional environmental or mapping needs. 6. Contractor has a history of performing similar services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of approximately $368,000 for LiDAR data collection appears reasonable for a specialized geospatial service. While direct comparisons are difficult without more specific service details, similar mapping and surveying contracts often fall within this range for focused geographic areas. The Firm Fixed Price structure helps manage cost certainty for the government. Benchmarking against other geophysical surveying contracts indicates this is a moderate-sized award for its type.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: limited

The contract was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), which typically involves a less formal competition process than full and open competition. While the specific number of bidders is not provided, SAP awards are often made to a smaller pool of pre-qualified vendors or through limited solicitations. This approach is generally used for procurements under the federal micro-purchase and small purchase thresholds, aiming for efficiency.

Taxpayer Impact: Limited competition under SAP may result in slightly higher prices compared to full and open competition, but it also allows for faster acquisition of needed services for smaller dollar amounts.

Public Impact

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service benefits from this contract by acquiring crucial data for its operations. LiDAR data collection services will be delivered, likely supporting environmental monitoring, habitat assessment, or resource management. The geographic impact is concentrated in Utah, serving specific federal land management or conservation initiatives within the state. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the geospatial industry.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP could impact price discovery.
Contract duration of over 600 days requires sustained oversight.

Positive Signals

Firm Fixed Price contract type provides cost predictability.
Specialized nature of LiDAR data collection suggests a focused and necessary service.
Award to a single contractor implies expertise in the required niche.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services sector, a niche within the broader geospatial industry. This sector is critical for various government functions, including environmental management, infrastructure planning, and resource exploration. The market size for specialized geospatial services is substantial, driven by increasing demand for high-resolution data. This contract represents a typical procurement for targeted data acquisition within this sector.

Small Business Impact

The provided data indicates that this contract was not specifically set aside for small businesses (ss: false, sb: false). Therefore, small businesses are unlikely to be direct recipients of this award. However, the prime contractor, Aero-Graphics Inc., may engage small businesses as subcontractors, depending on the project's needs and their subcontracting plans. Further analysis would be required to determine the extent of small business participation.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the contracting activity. As a Purchase Order awarded under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the oversight may be less formal than for larger, more complex contracts. Accountability is ensured through the Firm Fixed Price terms, requiring delivery of specified services. Transparency is generally maintained through federal procurement databases, though detailed performance reports may not be publicly available.

Related Government Programs

Geospatial Data Acquisition
Environmental Monitoring Services
Federal Land Management Support
Mapping and Surveying Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition under SAP.
Contract duration requires sustained oversight.
Dependence on contractor's technical expertise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $368,398.75 to AERO-GRAPHICS INC. OR-KFFAWO-LIDAR DATA COLLECTION

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is AERO-GRAPHICS INC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $368,398.75.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-14. End: 2025-05-30.

What is the track record of Aero-Graphics Inc. in performing similar LiDAR data collection contracts for federal agencies?

Aero-Graphics Inc. has a history of performing geospatial services, including aerial photography and mapping, for various government entities. While specific details on past LiDAR contracts are not provided in this summary, their classification under NAICS code 541360 (Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services) suggests experience in related fields. Federal procurement databases would likely contain records of their past performance on similar contracts, allowing for a more detailed assessment of their experience, past performance ratings, and any history of contract disputes or successes. Reviewing these records would be crucial for a comprehensive understanding of their capabilities and reliability for this specific project.

How does the awarded price compare to market rates for similar LiDAR data collection services in Utah?

Benchmarking the $368,000 award for LiDAR data collection against market rates in Utah requires detailed service specifications, such as resolution, accuracy, area coverage, and deliverable formats. However, given the specialized nature of LiDAR and the typical costs associated with aerial surveys and data processing, this price appears within a reasonable range for a targeted project. Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) are often used for procurements where competition is expected to yield fair and reasonable prices, suggesting the government believes this price is competitive for the scope. A more precise comparison would involve obtaining quotes from other geospatial firms for a similarly defined project in the region.

What are the primary risks associated with this contract, and how are they being mitigated?

Primary risks for this contract include potential technical challenges in data acquisition (e.g., weather, terrain), data processing errors, and schedule delays. Mitigation strategies are likely embedded in the contract terms. The Firm Fixed Price (FFP) structure shifts some financial risk to the contractor, incentivizing them to manage costs effectively. The contract duration of over 600 days allows for flexibility in scheduling around environmental conditions. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's oversight will monitor progress and address any technical or performance issues proactively. The contractor's presumed experience in geophysical surveying also serves as a risk mitigation factor.

What is the expected effectiveness of the LiDAR data in supporting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's mission in Utah?

The LiDAR data is expected to be highly effective in supporting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's (USFWS) mission by providing detailed, three-dimensional information about the terrain and surface features within the specified area of Utah. This data can be instrumental for various conservation and management activities, such as habitat mapping, identifying areas prone to erosion or flooding, monitoring vegetation health, planning wildlife corridors, and assessing the impact of environmental changes. Accurate geospatial data is fundamental for informed decision-making in resource management, making this contract a critical investment for the USFWS's operational effectiveness in the region.

How does this contract's value and scope compare to historical federal spending on similar geospatial data collection services?

This $368,000 contract for LiDAR data collection is a moderate-sized award within the broader category of federal geospatial services. Historical federal spending on mapping, surveying, and geospatial data acquisition is substantial, often running into hundreds of millions or billions of dollars annually across various agencies like USGS, NOAA, and defense departments. Contracts for large-scale, high-resolution LiDAR projects covering vast areas can easily exceed tens of millions of dollars. This specific contract, focused on a particular region in Utah and likely a specific set of deliverables under SAP, represents a smaller, more targeted investment compared to major national mapping initiatives, but is typical for agency-specific data needs.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140F0S23Q0052

Offers Received: 2

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 40 W OAKLAND AVE, SOUTH SALT LAKE, UT, 84115

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $368,399

Exercised Options: $368,399

Current Obligation: $368,399

Actual Outlays: $368,399

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline