DOI Awards $657K for Oahu NWR Imagery and Burned Area Identification to Air Data Solutions LLC
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $65,788 ($65.8K)
Contractor: AIR Data Solutions LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-09-20
End Date: 2027-09-17
Contract Duration: 1,092 days
Daily Burn Rate: $60/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: HI-OAHU NWR COMPLX-IMAGERY AND IDENTIFICATION OF BURNED AREA NATIVE AND INVASIVE PLANTS
Place of Performance
Location: KAHUKU, HONOLULU County, HAWAII, 96731
State: Hawaii Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $65,788.46 to AIR DATA SOLUTIONS LLC for work described as: HI-OAHU NWR COMPLX-IMAGERY AND IDENTIFICATION OF BURNED AREA NATIVE AND INVASIVE PLANTS Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical environmental monitoring and restoration planning. 2. Competition method (SAP) suggests potential for limited but structured bidding. 3. Risk of cost overruns or scope creep exists in long-term environmental projects. 4. Sector focus on environmental services and surveying.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The contract value of $657,884.46 for a 3-year period appears reasonable for specialized geophysical surveying and mapping services. Benchmarking against similar environmental mapping contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
Competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures) indicates a limited competition approach, likely targeting small businesses or specific pre-qualified vendors. This method can expedite procurement but may limit price discovery compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential environmental management and restoration, aiming for long-term ecological benefits.
Public Impact
Supports critical habitat restoration efforts on Oahu. Provides data for managing invasive species and post-fire recovery. Enhances understanding of native plant populations in a sensitive ecosystem.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 60 / 10
Warning Flags
- Potential for limited competition impacting best value.
- Long-term environmental project risks.
- Dependence on specific vendor expertise.
Positive Signals
- Addresses critical conservation needs.
- Supports ecological resilience.
- Utilizes specialized surveying technology.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services sector, often supporting environmental, land management, and infrastructure projects. Spending in this area is driven by regulatory requirements and conservation initiatives.
Small Business Impact
While competed under SAP, it's unclear if this was specifically set-aside for small businesses. The contract value is within the typical range for small business set-asides, but the specific NAICS code (541360) can include both small and large firms.
Oversight & Accountability
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard contract management practices and performance reviews should ensure accountability and successful project completion.
Related Government Programs
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition may not yield the best price.
- Environmental projects can face unforeseen challenges.
- Data accuracy and usability are critical for effective management.
- Long contract duration increases risk exposure.
Tags
geophysical-surveying-and-mapping-servic, department-of-the-interior, hi, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $65,788.46 to AIR DATA SOLUTIONS LLC. HI-OAHU NWR COMPLX-IMAGERY AND IDENTIFICATION OF BURNED AREA NATIVE AND INVASIVE PLANTS
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is AIR DATA SOLUTIONS LLC.
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 $65,788.46.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-20. End: 2027-09-17.
What is the specific methodology for identifying burned areas and plant species, and how will this data be used for future management decisions?
The contract likely involves remote sensing techniques (e.g., satellite imagery, aerial photography) combined with ground-truthing to map burn severity and identify native and invasive plant species. The resulting data will inform targeted restoration strategies, invasive species control efforts, and habitat management plans for the Oahu NWR complex.
What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured in terms of ecological impact?
Key performance indicators would likely include the accuracy and resolution of the imagery and mapping, the timely delivery of data products, and the successful identification of specific plant species and burn extents. Success will be measured by the utility of the data in guiding effective conservation actions and contributing to the long-term health and resilience of the refuge's ecosystem.
Are there established benchmarks for the cost-effectiveness of similar environmental mapping and analysis services to assess the value for money in this contract?
Benchmarking cost-effectiveness requires comparing this contract's per-unit costs (e.g., per acre mapped, per data point collected) against similar services procured by other federal agencies or state/local governments. Factors like geographic complexity, required resolution, and specific analytical outputs influence these costs. Without detailed comparative data, assessing 'best value' remains qualitative.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services › Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
Product/Service Code: PHOTO, MAP, PRINT, PUBLICATION › PHOTOGR, MAPPING, PRINTING, PUBLISH
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 140FS124Q0154
Offers Received: 2
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 502 AIRPORT RD, NATCHITOCHES, LA, 71457
Business Categories: Category Business, HUBZone Firm, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $140,098
Exercised Options: $65,788
Current Obligation: $65,788
Actual Outlays: $36,231
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-20
Current End Date: 2027-09-17
Potential End Date: 2029-09-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-06
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