Interior Department's $99K bird banding contract awarded to Wildlife Management Institute for environmental conservation

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $99,000 ($99.0K)

Contractor: Wildlife Management Institute, Incorporated

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2022-08-12

End Date: 2025-09-30

Contract Duration: 1,145 days

Daily Burn Rate: $86/day

Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: BIRD BANDING-DIV OF MGRTRY BIRD MGMT-JOINT VENTURE, VA

Place of Performance

Location: FALLS CHURCH, FAIRFAX County, VIRGINIA, 22041

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $99,000 to WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, INCORPORATED for work described as: BIRD BANDING-DIV OF MGRTRY BIRD MGMT-JOINT VENTURE, VA Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for specialized wildlife management services. 2. Competition dynamics indicate a potentially limited market for this niche service. 3. Risk indicators are low given the contract type and duration. 4. Performance context suggests a focus on environmental conservation and research. 5. Sector positioning aligns with federal efforts in wildlife management and ecological research.

Value Assessment

Rating: good

The contract value of $99,000 for a period of approximately three years appears to be within a reasonable range for specialized wildlife banding services. Benchmarking against similar contracts is challenging due to the niche nature of bird banding and the specific requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. However, the fixed-price nature of the award suggests that costs were assessed upfront.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: unknown

The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), which typically involves a less formal solicitation process than full and open competition. The number of bidders is not specified, but SAP is often used for smaller dollar value procurements where competition may be more limited. This could potentially lead to less aggressive pricing compared to a broad solicitation.

Taxpayer Impact: For taxpayers, competition under SAP may mean slightly higher costs than if a wider range of vendors were solicited, but it also allows for more agile procurement of specialized services.

Public Impact

Benefits federal wildlife management agencies by providing essential data for conservation efforts. Supports scientific research on bird populations, migration patterns, and ecological health. Geographic impact is likely national, given the scope of bird migration. Workforce implications include support for specialized biologists and technicians in the field.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of services.

Positive Signals

Contract supports critical environmental conservation and research objectives.
Fixed-price award provides cost certainty.
Awarded to a known entity in wildlife management.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the environmental and conservation sector, specifically focusing on wildlife management. The market for specialized bird banding services is relatively niche, often involving scientific organizations and research institutions. Federal spending in this area supports ecological monitoring and research, contributing to broader conservation goals. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish due to the specialized nature of the service.

Small Business Impact

There is no indication that this contract was specifically set aside for small businesses, nor is there information on subcontracting requirements. Given the nature of the work and the awardee, it is likely that larger, established organizations are involved in this type of specialized service.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically reside with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures are inherent in the contract terms, requiring delivery of specified banding services and data. Transparency is facilitated through federal procurement databases, though detailed performance metrics may not be publicly disclosed.

Related Government Programs

Wildlife Research and Monitoring Programs
Environmental Impact Assessments
Ecological Services Contracts

Risk Flags

Potential for limited competition due to specialized nature of services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $99,000 to WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, INCORPORATED. BIRD BANDING-DIV OF MGRTRY BIRD MGMT-JOINT VENTURE, VA

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, INCORPORATED.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $99,000.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2022-08-12. End: 2025-09-30.

What is the track record of the Wildlife Management Institute, Incorporated in performing similar bird banding services for federal agencies?

The Wildlife Management Institute, Incorporated has a long history of involvement in wildlife research and management. While specific details on their past performance on federal bird banding contracts are not provided in this data, their organizational focus suggests they possess the necessary expertise. Further investigation into their contract history with agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service would reveal their specific experience and success rates in executing similar tasks, including adherence to protocols, data quality, and timely delivery.

How does the $99,000 contract value compare to the typical cost of bird banding services for similar projects?

Determining a precise benchmark for bird banding services is challenging due to the variability in project scope, geographic location, species targeted, and the intensity of banding required. The $99,000 value for a contract spanning over three years suggests a moderate level of activity. Without more specific details on the number of birds to be banded, the geographic area covered, and the specific methodologies employed, it is difficult to definitively state if this represents a high or low cost. However, for specialized ecological services, this value appears reasonable for a focused effort.

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

The primary risks associated with this contract likely revolve around the successful execution of banding protocols, data accuracy, and timely reporting. Environmental factors, such as weather or wildlife population fluctuations, could also pose indirect risks. Mitigation strategies would typically include clear performance standards outlined in the contract, regular progress reviews by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the contractor's established expertise in wildlife management. The fixed-price nature of the award also shifts some financial risk to the contractor.

What is the expected effectiveness of this contract in achieving its stated environmental conservation and research goals?

The effectiveness of this contract is directly tied to the quality and quantity of data collected through bird banding. This data is crucial for understanding population dynamics, migration patterns, and the health of bird species, which in turn informs conservation strategies and policy decisions. The Wildlife Management Institute's presumed expertise suggests a strong likelihood of achieving the intended research outcomes. The long-term impact on conservation will depend on how the collected data is analyzed and applied by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other stakeholders.

How does this contract's spending pattern compare to historical federal investments in bird banding and wildlife management?

Historical federal spending on bird banding and wildlife management can vary significantly year over year, influenced by agency priorities, research needs, and available funding. A single $99,000 contract represents a small portion of the overall federal investment in these areas. To assess its comparative spending pattern, one would need to analyze broader trends in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's budget allocations for ecological research and monitoring over several fiscal years. This specific contract's value does not, on its own, indicate a significant deviation from typical spending levels for such specialized services.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Social Advocacy Organizations › Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations

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

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP

Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION

Solicitation ID: 140F0922Q0086

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 4426 VT ROUTE 215 N, CABOT, VT, 05647

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $99,000

Exercised Options: $99,000

Current Obligation: $99,000

Actual Outlays: $99,000

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline