DOI Awards $2.4M for Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Field Tests to APTIM Federal Services

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $2,438,271 ($2.4M)

Contractor: Aptim Federal Services, LLC

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2023-09-15

End Date: 2026-09-24

Contract Duration: 1,105 days

Daily Burn Rate: $2.2K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: G&GDATAMIDATL AUV/ASVPHASE II FIELDTEST

Place of Performance

Location: BATON ROUGE, EAST BATON ROUGE County, LOUISIANA, 70802

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $2.4 million to APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC for work described as: G&GDATAMIDATL AUV/ASVPHASE II FIELDTEST Key points: 1. Contract awarded for Phase II field testing of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) / Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs). 2. APTIM Federal Services, LLC secured the contract through full and open competition. 3. The contract value is $2,438,270.90 with a duration of 1105 days. 4. This spending supports environmental consulting services within the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. 5. The contract is firm fixed price, indicating a defined cost for the services.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $2.4M for a 3-year field test appears reasonable for specialized AUV/ASV technology and services. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts for advanced robotics would provide further validation.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method typically leads to competitive pricing as multiple vendors had the opportunity to bid.

Taxpayer Impact: The competitive award process is expected to ensure taxpayer funds are used efficiently for necessary environmental monitoring technology.

Public Impact

Enhances environmental monitoring capabilities in offshore energy development. Supports technological advancement in autonomous marine systems. Provides data for informed decision-making on energy projects. Potential for improved safety and efficiency in data collection.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep in field testing phases.
Dependence on specific AUV/ASV technology performance.
Environmental conditions could impact testing timelines.

Positive Signals

Clear objective for field testing.
Firm fixed price contract structure.
Awarded through full and open competition.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls under environmental consulting services, specifically related to the development and testing of advanced marine technology for offshore energy management. Spending in this sector often involves specialized equipment and expertise.

Small Business Impact

The data does not indicate any specific set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved as subcontractors or if opportunities were missed.

Oversight & Accountability

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's oversight will be crucial to ensure the successful completion of field tests and adherence to the contract's firm fixed price. Regular progress reports and performance reviews are standard.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Consulting Services
Department of the Interior Contracting
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Programs

Risk Flags

Technology performance risk
Environmental condition variability
Schedule adherence risk
Data integrity and validation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $2.4 million to APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC. G&GDATAMIDATL AUV/ASVPHASE II FIELDTEST

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is APTIM FEDERAL SERVICES, LLC.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $2.4 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-15. End: 2026-09-24.

What specific environmental data will the AUV/ASV field tests collect, and how will it inform regulatory decisions?

The field tests are designed to evaluate the performance and data collection capabilities of AUVs/ASVs in real-world conditions relevant to offshore energy activities. The collected data will likely pertain to seabed mapping, water quality, marine life monitoring, or other environmental parameters. This information will be crucial for the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to assess environmental impacts, ensure compliance with regulations, and make informed decisions regarding energy project approvals and mitigation strategies.

What are the key performance metrics for the AUV/ASV technology during the field tests, and what are the consequences of failure to meet them?

Key performance metrics likely include data accuracy, operational reliability, endurance, navigation precision, and sensor functionality under various environmental conditions. Failure to meet these metrics could result in contract modifications, penalties, or termination, depending on the severity and contractual terms. The firm fixed price nature of the contract implies APTIM bears the risk of cost overruns if performance issues arise, but the government's primary concern is achieving the desired data and technological validation.

How does the $2.4M investment in AUV/ASV field testing compare to the potential cost savings or improved environmental outcomes it aims to achieve?

The $2.4M investment is intended to validate technologies that could lead to more efficient, safer, and comprehensive environmental data collection compared to traditional methods. Potential cost savings may arise from reduced vessel time, personnel requirements, and faster data acquisition. Improved environmental outcomes stem from more accurate and timely data enabling better-informed decisions, potentially preventing costly environmental damage or regulatory non-compliance. Quantifying these benefits requires a detailed cost-benefit analysis post-testing.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Environmental Consulting Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Veritas Capital Fund Management, L.L.C.

Address: 4171 ESSEN LN, BATON ROUGE, LA, 70809

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $2,438,271

Exercised Options: $2,438,271

Current Obligation: $2,438,271

Actual Outlays: $1,545,768

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 140M0121D0006

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline