NOAA Awards $7.96M for American Samoa Hydrographic Survey Services to NV5 Geospatial
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $7,959,615 ($8.0M)
Contractor: NV5 Geospatial, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2025-12-19
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 163 days
Daily Burn Rate: $48.8K/day
Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: PER EO 14285 UNLEASHING AMERICA'S OFFSHORE CRITICAL MINERALS AND RESOURCES & THE HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT - NOS/OCS/HSD HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SERVICES FOR AMERICAN SAMOA - SURVEY.
Place of Performance
Location: PAGO PAGO, AMERICAN SAMOA County, AMERICAN SAMOA, 96799
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $8.0 million to NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC. for work described as: PER EO 14285 UNLEASHING AMERICA'S OFFSHORE CRITICAL MINERALS AND RESOURCES & THE HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT - NOS/OCS/HSD HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SERVICES FOR AMERICAN SAMOA - SURVEY. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for critical mineral resource mapping in American Samoa. 2. NV5 Geospatial, Inc. secured the award. 3. Full and open competition was utilized. 4. The contract duration is 163 days. 5. This supports offshore resource exploration and mapping.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The award amount of $7.96M for 163 days of surveying appears reasonable given the specialized nature of hydrographic services and the geographic location. Benchmarking against similar NOAA hydrographic survey contracts would provide further validation.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: full-and-open
The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust price discovery process. This method generally leads to competitive pricing as multiple qualified vendors can bid.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential mapping that supports national resource security and economic development.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of offshore critical mineral resources. Supports national security and economic interests in the Pacific. Improves navigational safety through updated hydrographic data. Contributes to environmental stewardship and resource management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited duration may impact comprehensive data collection.
- Geographic remoteness could increase logistical costs.
Positive Signals
- Supports EO 14285 for offshore resource development.
- Utilizes competitive bidding for value.
- Addresses critical infrastructure needs.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the Surveying and Mapping services sector. Spending in this area is crucial for infrastructure development, resource management, and national security. Benchmarks vary widely based on project scope and location.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to NV5 Geospatial, Inc. and does not indicate any specific subcontracting set-asides for small businesses. Further analysis would be needed to determine if small businesses were involved in the supply chain.
Oversight & Accountability
The award is managed by NOAA, a federal agency with established oversight mechanisms. The use of a delivery order under a larger contract structure implies prior vetting and oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Services
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for cost overruns due to remote location.
- Data quality dependent on specialized equipment and expertise.
- Limited contract duration may restrict scope.
- Environmental impact mitigation effectiveness.
Tags
surveying-and-mapping-except-geophysical, department-of-commerce, as, delivery-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $8.0 million to NV5 GEOSPATIAL, INC.. PER EO 14285 UNLEASHING AMERICA'S OFFSHORE CRITICAL MINERALS AND RESOURCES & THE HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES IMPROVEMENT ACT - NOS/OCS/HSD HYDROGRAPHIC SURVEY SERVICES FOR AMERICAN SAMOA - SURVEY.
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 $8.0 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-12-19. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the specific methodology for assessing critical mineral potential based on this hydrographic data?
The hydrographic survey will collect detailed bathymetric, geophysical, and geological data of the seabed. This data will be analyzed to identify geological formations and mineral deposits. Specific methodologies will likely involve sonar mapping, sediment sampling, and sub-bottom profiling to assess the presence and potential concentration of critical minerals.
What are the potential environmental risks associated with this offshore survey in American Samoa?
Potential environmental risks include temporary disruption to marine ecosystems from survey equipment, noise pollution affecting marine life, and the possibility of accidental spills from support vessels. NOAA's environmental compliance protocols and mitigation measures are expected to minimize these impacts during the survey operations.
How will the collected data be made accessible to other government agencies and the public?
The collected hydrographic data will be processed and archived by NOAA's National Ocean Service. It will be made available through NOAA's data portals and publications, supporting scientific research, resource management, and navigational safety. Public access will be facilitated to promote transparency and broader utilization.
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: $7,959,615
Exercised Options: $7,959,615
Current Obligation: $7,959,615
Actual Outlays: $3,340,135
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
Start Date: 2025-12-19
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2026-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-20
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