Interior's USGS Awards $1.12M for Electrofishing Systems to ETS, Facing Limited Competition
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $11,240 ($11.2K)
Contractor: ETS Electrofishing Systems, LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-01
End Date: 2026-05-30
Contract Duration: 59 days
Daily Burn Rate: $191/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: BOAT ELECTROFISHING SYSTEM
Place of Performance
Location: STILLWATER, PAYNE County, OKLAHOMA, 74078
State: Oklahoma Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $11,240 to ETS ELECTROFISHING SYSTEMS, LLC for work described as: BOAT ELECTROFISHING SYSTEM Key points: 1. The U.S. Geological Survey awarded a $1.12 million contract for electrofishing systems. 2. ETS Electrofishing Systems, LLC is the sole awardee, raising questions about competition. 3. The contract duration is short (59 days), suggesting a specific, immediate need. 4. The sector is Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment Manufacturing, with potential for specialized suppliers.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $1,124,000 for 3 units appears high on a per-unit basis, especially given the short duration. Benchmarking against similar specialized equipment purchases is needed to confirm value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically allows for more than one offer but may not reach full and open competition. The sole awardee suggests limited market response or pre-existing relationships.
Taxpayer Impact: The limited competition may result in a higher price than if a broader, more competitive process were used, potentially impacting taxpayer value.
Public Impact
Research and monitoring activities by the USGS may be impacted by the availability and cost of this specialized equipment. Scientists relying on electrofishing for aquatic ecosystem studies will utilize this system. The specific application of this equipment for USGS research could influence environmental data collection.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about price reasonableness.
- Short contract duration may indicate urgency or a pilot project.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
Positive Signals
- Awarded to a specialized manufacturer.
- Clear end-use application for scientific research.
Sector Analysis
The contract falls under Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment Manufacturing. Spending in this niche sector can vary widely based on technological advancements and specific agency needs. Benchmarks are difficult without more specific product details.
Small Business Impact
The contract was not awarded to a small business, and there is no indication of small business subcontracting. This represents a missed opportunity for small business participation in federal contracting.
Oversight & Accountability
The use of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) suggests a streamlined process, but oversight is still crucial to ensure fair pricing and competition, especially with a sole awardee.
Related Government Programs
- All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition.
- Potential for price inflation due to lack of robust competition.
- No small business participation.
- Short contract duration may indicate potential for follow-on or urgent needs not fully captured.
- Lack of detailed technical specifications makes independent value assessment difficult.
Tags
all-other-miscellaneous-electrical-equip, department-of-the-interior, ok, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $11,240 to ETS ELECTROFISHING SYSTEMS, LLC. BOAT ELECTROFISHING SYSTEM
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is ETS ELECTROFISHING SYSTEMS, LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $11,240.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-01. End: 2026-05-30.
What is the specific technical capability of the BOAT ELECTROFISHING SYSTEM and how does it compare to other available systems in the market?
The specific technical capabilities of the BOAT ELECTROFISHING SYSTEM are not detailed in the provided data. However, electrofishing systems are used for scientific sampling of aquatic organisms. A thorough market analysis would be required to compare its features, performance, and reliability against other systems from competitors like Smith-Root or Electrofishing Technologies to ensure the USGS is acquiring the most effective and cost-efficient solution for their research needs.
Given the limited competition, what steps were taken to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable?
Under SAP, agencies are required to obtain price reasonableness determinations. For this award, the agency likely relied on market research, comparison to previous purchases, or catalog pricing. However, with only one awardee, a more robust price analysis, potentially including independent government cost estimates or competitive quotes from other potential vendors, would strengthen confidence in the fairness of the price paid.
How will the effectiveness of this electrofishing system be measured to ensure it meets the U.S. Geological Survey's research objectives?
The effectiveness of the electrofishing system will likely be measured by its performance in the field, its ability to reliably capture target aquatic species for research, and its contribution to achieving the specific scientific objectives outlined by the U.S. Geological Survey. Post-award performance monitoring and user feedback from the scientists utilizing the system will be critical in assessing its overall effectiveness and value.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing › All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1240 E WASHINGTON AVE, MADISON, WI, 53703
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Limited Liability Corporation, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $11,240
Exercised Options: $11,240
Current Obligation: $11,240
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-01
Current End Date: 2026-05-30
Potential End Date: 2026-05-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-01
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