NOAA awards $8.5M for hydrographic survey services in Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $8,474,818 ($8.5M)

Contractor: NV5 Geospatial, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2025-07-10

End Date: 2027-03-30

Contract Duration: 628 days

Daily Burn Rate: $13.5K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: NOS/OCS/HSD HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY ACT IN THUNDER BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (TBNMS)

Place of Performance

Location: TRAVERSE CITY, GRAND TRAVERSE County, MICHIGAN, 49684

State: Michigan Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $8.5 million to NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC. for work described as: NOS/OCS/HSD HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY ACT IN THUNDER BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (TBNMS) Key points: 1. Contract awarded through full and open competition, suggesting a competitive bidding process. 2. The contract duration of 628 days indicates a significant, multi-year effort. 3. Fixed-price contract type may offer cost certainty for the government. 4. The award is for surveying and mapping services, crucial for maritime safety and environmental monitoring. 5. The geographic focus on Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary highlights a specific environmental and navigational need.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $8.5 million for hydrographic survey services over approximately two years appears reasonable given the scope. Benchmarking against similar NOAA hydrographic survey contracts would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. The firm fixed-price structure suggests that the contractor bears the risk of cost overruns, which is generally favorable for the government.

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 offers. The number of bidders is not specified, but this procurement method generally fosters price discovery and encourages competitive pricing by allowing multiple firms to vie for the work. This approach is intended to secure the best value for the government.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition is beneficial for taxpayers as it typically leads to more competitive pricing and a wider range of innovative solutions, ensuring that government funds are used efficiently.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and the public, who will receive updated hydrographic data for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Services delivered include essential hydrographic surveying to map the seafloor, identify hazards, and support navigation. The geographic impact is concentrated within the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Michigan. The contract supports specialized surveying and mapping professionals within the contractor's workforce.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if survey requirements are not clearly defined and managed.
Dependence on contractor's specialized equipment and personnel for successful execution.
Environmental conditions in Lake Huron could impact survey timelines and costs.

Positive Signals

Awarded through full and open competition, indicating a robust selection process.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability.
Focus on a specific, environmentally sensitive marine sanctuary suggests targeted and important work.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services sector, a niche within the broader professional, scientific, and technical services industry. This sector is critical for infrastructure development, resource management, and national security. Spending in this area is often driven by specific project needs, regulatory requirements, and the maintenance of critical infrastructure like navigable waterways.

Small Business Impact

The contract was not set aside for small businesses, and there is no indication of subcontracting requirements for small businesses. This suggests that the primary award went to a larger entity, and the direct impact on the small business ecosystem through this specific contract may be limited unless the prime contractor actively engages small businesses for subcontracting opportunities.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), potentially through a Contracting Officer's Representative (COR). The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides a degree of financial oversight. Transparency regarding performance metrics and deliverables would be subject to NOAA's internal policies and any public reporting requirements.

Related Government Programs

NOAA Hydrographic Surveying Programs
Great Lakes Maritime Safety Initiatives
National Marine Sanctuary Management
Coastal and Ocean Mapping Programs

Risk Flags

Potential for environmental challenges impacting survey operations.
Reliance on specialized contractor equipment and expertise.
Need for rigorous quality assurance to ensure data accuracy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $8.5 million to NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC.. NOS/OCS/HSD HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY ACT IN THUNDER BAY NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY (TBNMS)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC..

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $8.5 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2025-07-10. End: 2027-03-30.

What is the track record of NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC. with NOAA or similar federal agencies for hydrographic survey services?

NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC. has a history of performing surveying and mapping services for various government agencies. While specific details on their track record with NOAA for hydrographic surveys require deeper investigation into contract databases like FPDS or SAM.gov, their presence in this sector suggests experience. A thorough review would involve examining past performance evaluations, any past disputes or contract terminations, and the scale and complexity of previous similar projects they have executed for federal clients. This would help assess their capability and reliability in fulfilling the requirements of this new contract.

How does the $8.5 million contract value compare to similar hydrographic survey contracts awarded by NOAA or other agencies?

The $8.5 million value for approximately two years of hydrographic survey services in a specific marine sanctuary appears to be within a reasonable range for such specialized work. However, a precise benchmark requires comparing it to contracts of similar scope, duration, geographic complexity, and technological requirements. Factors such as the depth of water to be surveyed, the required resolution of the data, and the specific technological standards (e.g., multibeam sonar, side-scan sonar) influence costs significantly. Without access to detailed comparative contract data, it's difficult to definitively state if this represents exceptional value, but it does not immediately appear to be an outlier.

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

Key risks include environmental challenges (weather, sea state in Lake Huron), potential for equipment malfunction, and the accuracy/completeness of the survey data. The firm fixed-price contract shifts some financial risk to NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC. Mitigation strategies likely involve NOAA's detailed statement of work, performance standards, quality assurance surveillance plans, and regular progress meetings. The contractor's own risk management protocols, including contingency planning for equipment and personnel, and adherence to established hydrographic survey standards (e.g., IHO standards), are also critical for mitigating risks and ensuring successful project completion.

How effective are NOAA's hydrographic survey programs in supporting navigation safety and environmental stewardship in national marine sanctuaries?

NOAA's hydrographic survey programs are fundamental to ensuring navigation safety and supporting environmental stewardship within national marine sanctuaries. Accurate and up-to-date bathymetric data is crucial for charting safe navigation routes, identifying submerged hazards (like shipwrecks or uncharted shoals), and understanding the seafloor topography. This data also informs sanctuary management decisions, such as identifying sensitive habitats, monitoring changes over time, and supporting research activities. The effectiveness is measured by the quality and usability of the data produced and its integration into navigational products and management plans.

What are the historical spending patterns for hydrographic survey services by NOAA over the last five fiscal years?

Historical spending on hydrographic survey services by NOAA can fluctuate based on program priorities, funding appropriations, and the lifecycle of major mapping initiatives. Generally, NOAA consistently invests in hydrographic surveys to maintain nautical charts and support its coastal and ocean mapping efforts. Annual spending can range from tens to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the scale of projects, such as the Okeanos Explorer missions or specific regional mapping efforts. Analyzing specific fiscal years would reveal trends in contract awards, types of services procured, and the primary contractors involved.

What is the typical duration and cost range for similar hydrographic survey contracts awarded by federal agencies?

The typical duration for federal hydrographic survey contracts can vary widely, from a few months for smaller, localized surveys to several years for large-scale, multi-year mapping projects. Contract values also exhibit significant variation, ranging from hundreds of thousands to tens of millions of dollars, heavily influenced by the survey area's size, water depth, required data resolution, and the complexity of the marine environment. A contract valued at $8.5 million for a duration of approximately two years falls within the mid-to-upper range for specialized, focused hydrographic survey efforts, particularly those involving advanced technology and potentially challenging conditions.

Industry Classification

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

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 10033 DR MARTIN LUTHER KING JR ST N STE 200, SAINT PETERSBURG, FL, 33716

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $8,474,818

Exercised Options: $8,474,818

Current Obligation: $8,474,818

Actual Outlays: $4,024,177

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M225D0007

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline