NOAA awards $5.17M contract for Raccoon Island restoration, focusing on data acquisition and engineering

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $5,167,792 ($5.2M)

Contractor: Baird-Stantec Joint Venture

Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce

Start Date: 2023-09-15

End Date: 2026-08-18

Contract Duration: 1,068 days

Daily Burn Rate: $4.8K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: DATA ACQUISITION AND ENGINEERING/DESIGN PERIOD SERVICES UP TO NINETY FIVE PERCENT IN SUPPORT OF NOAA/NMFS/OHC'S RACCOON ISLAND RESTORATION PROJECT IN LOUISIANA.

Place of Performance

Location: CHAUVIN, TERREBONNE County, LOUISIANA, 70344

State: Louisiana Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Commerce obligated $5.2 million to BAIRD-STANTEC JOINT VENTURE for work described as: DATA ACQUISITION AND ENGINEERING/DESIGN PERIOD SERVICES UP TO NINETY FIVE PERCENT IN SUPPORT OF NOAA/NMFS/OHC'S RACCOON ISLAND RESTORATION PROJECT IN LOUISIANA. Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year data acquisition and engineering project. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized services. 3. Project duration of nearly three years indicates a complex and long-term restoration effort. 4. Geographic focus on Louisiana highlights critical coastal resilience needs. 5. Firm-fixed-price contract type shifts risk to the contractor, potentially stabilizing costs. 6. The contract supports a significant environmental restoration initiative with long-term ecological benefits.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $5.17 million for data acquisition and engineering services over approximately three years seems aligned with the scope of a significant environmental restoration project. Benchmarking against similar NOAA or Army Corps of Engineers projects for coastal restoration and engineering support would provide a more precise value-for-money assessment. However, the firm-fixed-price structure suggests an expectation of cost control by the agency.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition after exclusion of sources, indicating that multiple qualified vendors were likely solicited and allowed to bid. This approach generally fosters competitive pricing and allows the government to select the best value offer. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the method suggests a robust competition.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition process is beneficial for taxpayers as it is expected to drive down costs through market forces and ensure the government receives competitive pricing for essential services.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are NOAA and the state of Louisiana, through the restoration of critical coastal habitat. The project will deliver essential data acquisition and engineering/design services for the Raccoon Island Restoration Project. The geographic impact is focused on Louisiana's coast, a region highly vulnerable to environmental degradation and storm surge. The project supports environmental science and engineering workforce development through the contractor's activities.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for scope creep if initial data acquisition reveals unforeseen complexities requiring extensive redesign.
Dependence on contractor expertise for accurate data and effective engineering designs is critical.
Environmental conditions in Louisiana can pose logistical challenges and potential delays.

Positive Signals

Firm-fixed-price contract provides cost certainty for the agency.
Full and open competition suggests a competitive market and potential for best value.
The project addresses a critical environmental need for coastal restoration.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the professional, scientific, and technical services sector, specifically focusing on environmental consulting and engineering. The market for such services is driven by government needs for environmental remediation, coastal management, and infrastructure development. NOAA's commitment to coastal restoration projects like Raccoon Island represents a significant area of federal spending, often involving complex engineering and data analysis.

Small Business Impact

The contract was awarded to BAIRD-STANTEC JOINT VENTURE, and there is no indication of a small business set-aside. The nature of specialized data acquisition and engineering services for a large-scale restoration project often requires significant resources and expertise, which may limit direct participation by small businesses unless they are part of a larger joint venture or subcontracting team. Further analysis would be needed to determine subcontracting opportunities for small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) program office responsible for the Raccoon Island Restoration Project. The firm-fixed-price contract type provides a degree of cost control. Transparency is expected through contract reporting mechanisms and public project updates. The Inspector General for the Department of Commerce would have jurisdiction over potential fraud or mismanagement.

Related Government Programs

Coastal Zone Management Program
Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act (CWPPRA)
RESTORE Act Programs
Army Corps of Engineers Coastal Projects

Risk Flags

Environmental Risk
Technical Complexity
Schedule Delay Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Commerce awarded $5.2 million to BAIRD-STANTEC JOINT VENTURE. DATA ACQUISITION AND ENGINEERING/DESIGN PERIOD SERVICES UP TO NINETY FIVE PERCENT IN SUPPORT OF NOAA/NMFS/OHC'S RACCOON ISLAND RESTORATION PROJECT IN LOUISIANA.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is BAIRD-STANTEC JOINT VENTURE.

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 $5.2 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2023-09-15. End: 2026-08-18.

What is the historical spending trend for Raccoon Island Restoration Project or similar NOAA coastal resilience initiatives?

Analyzing historical spending for the Raccoon Island Restoration Project specifically requires access to detailed historical contract data. However, NOAA's overall budget for coastal resilience and restoration has seen fluctuations based on environmental events and legislative priorities. For instance, following major hurricanes, funding for coastal restoration often increases. Comparable projects, such as those managed by the Army Corps of Engineers for beach nourishment or wetland restoration, can involve multi-million dollar commitments over several years. Without specific historical data for Raccoon Island, it's difficult to establish a precise trend, but the current award aligns with the significant investment typically required for large-scale ecological restoration efforts.

How does the contractor's past performance on similar federal contracts compare to the requirements of this award?

Assessing the contractor's past performance requires a review of their contract history with federal agencies, particularly NOAA and the Department of the Interior, for similar environmental engineering, data acquisition, and coastal restoration projects. Key performance indicators would include on-time delivery, adherence to budget (especially relevant for fixed-price contracts), quality of deliverables, and responsiveness to agency needs. A joint venture like Baird-Stantec likely brings together established firms with potentially strong track records. A detailed review of past performance evaluations (e.g., CPARS) would be necessary to confirm their suitability and mitigate risks associated with this specific project's success.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and how will success be measured?

While specific KPIs are not detailed in the award abstract, typical performance measures for a data acquisition and engineering services contract for a restoration project would likely include the accuracy and completeness of collected data, the timely delivery of engineering designs and reports, adherence to technical specifications, and compliance with environmental regulations. Success will be measured by the extent to which the acquired data accurately informs the restoration plan and the quality and feasibility of the engineering designs produced. NOAA/NMFS will likely conduct regular reviews and acceptances of deliverables against the contract's statement of work.

What is the risk profile associated with this contract, considering the project's location and scope?

The risk profile for this contract is moderate, influenced by several factors. The project's location in Louisiana's coastal region presents environmental risks, including potential impacts from hurricanes, sea-level rise, and challenging working conditions, which could lead to delays or increased costs if not adequately managed. The scope involves complex data acquisition and engineering, carrying technical risks related to data accuracy and design effectiveness. Contractor performance risk is present, though mitigated by the firm-fixed-price structure and the presumed experience of the joint venture. NOAA's oversight and the contractor's risk mitigation strategies will be crucial.

Are there any potential conflicts of interest or ethical concerns related to the contractor or the project?

Based on the provided abstract, there is no immediate indication of conflicts of interest or ethical concerns. The award was made under full and open competition, suggesting a fair process. However, a thorough review would involve examining the contractor's business relationships, any prior involvement with the Raccoon Island area or related environmental studies, and ensuring compliance with federal procurement regulations. Standard government oversight and ethics regulations would apply to both the contracting agency and the selected contractor throughout the project lifecycle.

What is the long-term sustainability and impact of the Raccoon Island Restoration Project beyond this initial data acquisition and design phase?

The long-term sustainability and impact of the Raccoon Island Restoration Project are contingent upon the successful completion of this initial phase and subsequent implementation of the restoration designs. The project aims to restore critical coastal habitat, which provides numerous ecological benefits, including storm surge protection, improved water quality, and support for fisheries and wildlife. The success of the restoration will depend on ongoing monitoring, adaptive management strategies, and potentially future funding for maintenance and further enhancements. The data and designs procured under this contract are foundational for achieving these long-term goals.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION AFTER EXCLUSION OF SOURCES

Solicitation Procedures: ARCHITECT-ENGINEER FAR 6.102

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 2924 MARKETPLACE DR, FITCHBURG, WI, 53719

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $5,167,792

Exercised Options: $5,167,792

Current Obligation: $5,167,792

Actual Outlays: $4,039,949

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 1305M323DNFFK0015

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline