Interior's $3.5M Geophysical Surveying Contract Awarded to Dewberry Engineers Inc. for Mapping Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,484,480 ($3.5M)

Contractor: Dewberry Engineers Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-09-14

End Date: 2026-07-31

Contract Duration: 1,416 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: AL_ALABAMAFLORIDASOURCETOSINK_MAG_RAD_D2

Place of Performance

Location: FAIRFAX, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22031

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $3.5 million to DEWBERRY ENGINEERS INC. for work described as: AL_ALABAMAFLORIDASOURCETOSINK_MAG_RAD_D2 Key points: 1. Value for money appears reasonable given the scope of geophysical surveying and mapping services required. 2. The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 3. Potential risks include project delays or scope creep, which could impact the final delivery date and cost. 4. Performance context is critical; the success of this contract hinges on the quality and accuracy of the delivered mapping data. 5. This contract positions Dewberry Engineers Inc. as a key provider of specialized surveying services within the federal sector.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

Benchmarking the exact value for specialized geophysical surveying and mapping services is challenging without detailed service breakdowns. However, the contract value of approximately $3.5 million over a four-year period (2022-2026) suggests a moderate annual expenditure. Comparing this to similar large-scale mapping projects by agencies like the USGS, the pricing appears to be within a reasonable range, assuming the scope of work is comprehensive and meets all technical specifications. The firm-fixed-price structure helps control costs, but vigilance against change orders will be necessary to ensure value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that all responsible sources were permitted to submit bids. The presence of three bidders suggests a healthy level of competition for this specialized service. A competitive environment generally leads to better price discovery and encourages contractors to offer their best value propositions to secure the award. The agency's ability to attract multiple qualified bidders for this type of work is a positive sign for efficient resource allocation.

Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayers benefit from full and open competition as it drives down prices and ensures that the government receives the most advantageous offer. This process minimizes the risk of overpayment and promotes a fair marketplace for government contracting.

Public Impact

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the primary beneficiary, receiving essential geophysical surveying and mapping data. The services delivered will support critical scientific research, resource management, and potentially hazard assessment activities. The geographic impact is not specified but likely relates to areas requiring detailed geological and geophysical surveys. The contract supports specialized technical roles within the surveying and mapping industry, potentially creating or sustaining high-skilled jobs.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for cost overruns if unforeseen geological complexities arise during surveying.
Risk of delays in data delivery impacting downstream research or project timelines.
Dependence on specialized equipment and expertise could pose supply chain or personnel availability risks.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a competitive market for these services.
Long-term contract duration allows for sustained support of USGS's mapping initiatives.

Sector Analysis

Geophysical surveying and mapping services fall under the broader professional, scientific, and technical services sector. This sector is characterized by specialized expertise and often involves complex data acquisition and analysis. The market size for federal surveying and mapping contracts is substantial, driven by agencies like the USGS, NOAA, and the Army Corps of Engineers. This contract fits within the USGS's mandate to map the Nation's geology and resources, contributing to a larger ecosystem of geospatial data providers.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that small business participation was not a specific set-aside requirement for this contract (ss: false, sb: false). While Dewberry Engineers Inc. is a large firm, there may be opportunities for small businesses to participate as subcontractors, depending on the specific needs and subcontracting plans outlined in the contract. The absence of explicit small business goals suggests that the primary focus was on securing the best technical and price proposal through open competition.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Geological Survey's contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are embedded in the contract terms, including performance standards, delivery schedules, and payment milestones. Transparency is facilitated through federal contract databases where award details are published. The Inspector General for the Department of the Interior may conduct audits or investigations if specific concerns regarding waste, fraud, or abuse arise.

Related Government Programs

U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Geospatial Data Acquisition
National Mapping Initiatives
Environmental Monitoring Contracts
Resource Exploration Support

Risk Flags

Potential for scope creep impacting budget and schedule.
Reliance on specialized contractor expertise.
Data accuracy and quality are critical success factors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $3.5 million to DEWBERRY ENGINEERS INC.. AL_ALABAMAFLORIDASOURCETOSINK_MAG_RAD_D2

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is DEWBERRY ENGINEERS INC..

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 $3.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-09-14. End: 2026-07-31.

What is the track record of Dewberry Engineers Inc. in performing similar geophysical surveying and mapping services for federal agencies?

Dewberry Engineers Inc. has a significant history of providing engineering, architecture, and related services to government clients, including federal agencies. While specific details on their past performance on contracts identical to this one require deeper database analysis, their extensive portfolio suggests experience in complex geospatial projects. Federal procurement records often detail past performance evaluations, which would indicate their success rate, quality of work, and adherence to schedules on previous contracts. A review of their contract history with the Department of the Interior and other agencies would provide a clearer picture of their capabilities and reliability in executing large-scale geophysical surveying and mapping tasks.

How does the awarded amount compare to the estimated value or ceiling of the contract if it were a task order under a larger indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract?

The provided data indicates this is a 'DELIVERY ORDER' with a specific award amount of $3,484,479.66. This suggests it is likely a task order issued against a pre-existing contract vehicle, possibly an IDIQ or a similar type of contract that allows for multiple orders. Without knowing the parent contract's ceiling value or estimated total value, a direct comparison is difficult. However, the awarded amount represents the committed funding for this specific delivery order. If this were part of a larger IDIQ, the total value of all orders under that IDIQ would provide a broader context for the agency's overall spending on these services.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or metrics used to evaluate the success of this geophysical surveying and mapping contract?

Key performance indicators for this contract would likely revolve around the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the geophysical data delivered. Specific metrics could include adherence to specified survey resolution standards, the percentage of area successfully covered according to the project plan, the turnaround time for data processing and delivery, and the number of revisions required due to errors or omissions. Quality control checks, peer reviews of the data, and client satisfaction surveys conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey would also serve as crucial evaluation tools. Compliance with all technical specifications outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW) is paramount.

What is the historical spending pattern for geophysical surveying and mapping services by the Department of the Interior or the U.S. Geological Survey?

Historical spending on geophysical surveying and mapping by the Department of the Interior, particularly the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), is substantial and consistent, reflecting the agency's core mission. The USGS regularly procures services for geological mapping, seismic surveys, gravity and magnetic surveys, and other geophysical data acquisition to support resource assessment, hazard mitigation, and scientific research. Annual spending can fluctuate based on specific project needs, congressional appropriations, and national priorities. Analyzing past five to ten years of USGS procurement data would reveal trends in contract values, types of services procured, and the primary contractors utilized, providing a benchmark for current spending levels.

Are there any known risks associated with the specific geographic areas or types of geological formations where these surveys will be conducted?

The risk profile for geophysical surveying is highly dependent on the specific geographic locations and geological characteristics of the survey areas. Potential risks include challenging terrain (e.g., mountainous, remote, or underwater environments) that can increase operational costs and complexity, adverse weather conditions that may cause delays, and the presence of sensitive environmental or cultural resources that require special handling and mitigation measures. Certain geological formations might also present unique challenges for data acquisition or interpretation, potentially requiring specialized equipment or advanced analytical techniques. A thorough risk assessment by the USGS prior to contract award would have identified and addressed these potential issues.

Industry Classification

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

Product/Service Code: ARCHITECT/ENGINEER SERVICES › ARCH-ENG SVCS - GENERAL

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE AWARD FAIR OPPORTUNITY

Solicitation ID: RFP VIA EMAIL

Offers Received: 3

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 8401 ARLINGTON BLVD, FAIRFAX, VA, 22031

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $4,079,284

Exercised Options: $3,484,480

Current Obligation: $3,484,480

Actual Outlays: $2,961,808

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140G0221D0009

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline