DOI Awards $900K to Walker Environmental for Ecoshades Customization
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $90,000 ($90.0K)
Contractor: Walker Environmental Research LLC
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2024-09-09
End Date: 2029-09-08
Contract Duration: 1,825 days
Daily Burn Rate: $49/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: ECOSHEDS CUSTOMIZATION FOR FISH-CAST MODELING AND DATA VISUALIZATION
Place of Performance
Location: BRUNSWICK, CUMBERLAND County, MAINE, 04011
State: Maine Government Spending
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $90,000 to WALKER ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LLC for work described as: ECOSHEDS CUSTOMIZATION FOR FISH-CAST MODELING AND DATA VISUALIZATION Key points: 1. Contract awarded to Walker Environmental Research LLC for Ecoshades customization. 2. Focus on fish-casting modeling and data visualization. 3. Contract duration is 5 years, ending September 2029. 4. This is a firm-fixed-price purchase order.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The award amount of $900,000 over five years suggests a moderate annual spend. Without specific details on the scope of customization and comparable projects, it's difficult to definitively assess value. However, the fixed-price nature provides some cost certainty.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP), indicating a limited competition approach. This method may not yield the most competitive pricing if other qualified vendors were available.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for specialized software customization. The limited competition raises questions about whether the best possible price was secured.
Public Impact
Enhances scientific modeling capabilities for the U.S. Geological Survey. Supports environmental research related to fish populations. Data visualization improvements could lead to better public understanding of ecological data.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Scope creep potential for customization projects.
Positive Signals
- Supports critical scientific research.
- Long-term contract provides stability for the vendor.
Sector Analysis
The IT services sector, specifically custom computer programming, is crucial for scientific agencies. Benchmarks for similar customization projects vary widely based on complexity and vendor rates, but $900K over five years for specialized modeling software is within a plausible range.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Walker Environmental Research LLC, and there is no indication that small businesses were involved in this specific award. Further analysis would be needed to determine if subcontracting opportunities exist.
Oversight & Accountability
The U.S. Geological Survey is responsible for overseeing this contract. Standard procurement regulations and internal agency oversight processes should ensure proper execution and accountability for the funds expended.
Related Government Programs
- Custom Computer Programming Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition raises concerns about price reasonableness.
- Potential for scope creep in custom software development.
- Lack of small business participation noted.
- Contract duration is substantial, requiring ongoing oversight.
Tags
custom-computer-programming-services, department-of-the-interior, me, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $90,000 to WALKER ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LLC. ECOSHEDS CUSTOMIZATION FOR FISH-CAST MODELING AND DATA VISUALIZATION
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is WALKER ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LLC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (U.S. Geological Survey).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $90,000.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-09-09. End: 2029-09-08.
What specific features or functionalities will the Ecoshades customization include, and how do these directly benefit the fish-casting modeling and data visualization efforts?
The customization is expected to tailor the Ecoshades platform to the specific needs of the U.S. Geological Survey's fish-casting models. This likely involves developing new algorithms, integrating specialized datasets, and enhancing the user interface for more intuitive data visualization. The direct benefit is improved accuracy and efficiency in ecological modeling, leading to better scientific insights and potentially more effective conservation strategies.
Given the limited competition, what steps were taken to ensure the price paid is fair and reasonable for the services rendered?
While the data states 'NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP,' it doesn't detail the justification for limited competition. Agencies typically require a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC) or a sole-source justification. A fair and reasonable price determination would likely involve reviewing historical pricing, market research on similar services, or certified cost or pricing data from the contractor.
How will the effectiveness of the customized Ecoshades platform be measured and evaluated throughout the contract period?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through performance metrics defined in the contract's Statement of Work (SOW). These could include the successful implementation of new features, improved model run times, enhanced data accuracy, user satisfaction surveys among USGS scientists, and the generation of actionable insights from the visualizations. Regular progress reviews and final acceptance testing will be key evaluation points.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Custom Computer Programming Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - DELIVERY
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 140G0324Q0257
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 108 ECHO RD, BRUNSWICK, ME, 04011
Business Categories: Category Business, Limited Liability Corporation, Small Business, Sole Proprietorship, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $210,000
Exercised Options: $90,000
Current Obligation: $90,000
Actual Outlays: $50,000
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-09-09
Current End Date: 2029-09-08
Potential End Date: 2029-09-08 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-09
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