Interior's USGS Awards $49K for Acoustic Transponders, Sole-Sourced Purchase Order
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $49,093 ($49.1K)
Contractor: Innovasea Systems, Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2026-04-03
End Date: 2026-05-31
Contract Duration: 58 days
Daily Burn Rate: $846/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: IT
Official Description: INNOVASEA ASCENT AR ACOUSTICS RELEASES, VR100 SURFACE TRANSPONDER, VHTX 69KHZ TRANSPONDING HYDROPHONE, AND ASSOCIATED MOORING EQUIPMENT.
Place of Performance
Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $49,093 to INNOVASEA SYSTEMS, INC. for work described as: INNOVASEA ASCENT AR ACOUSTICS RELEASES, VR100 SURFACE TRANSPONDER, VHTX 69KHZ TRANSPONDING HYDROPHONE, AND ASSOCIATED MOORING EQUIPMENT. Key points: 1. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) procured acoustic transponders and related equipment for $49,093. 2. The contract was awarded as a sole-source purchase order, raising questions about competition. 3. The equipment is for search, detection, navigation, guidance, and nautical systems. 4. The fixed-price contract aims to control costs for this specialized equipment.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The $49,093 award for acoustic transponders appears to be a reasonable price for specialized nautical equipment, though a lack of competitive bids makes direct comparison difficult. Benchmarking against similar sole-source procurements would be necessary for a more definitive assessment.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: sole-source
This contract was not competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and was awarded as a sole-source purchase order. This limits price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs compared to a competitive process.
Taxpayer Impact: The sole-source nature of this award means taxpayers may not have received the best possible price due to the absence of competitive bidding.
Public Impact
USGS enhances its marine research and monitoring capabilities with new acoustic technology. The acquisition supports critical functions like underwater object detection and navigation. Specialized equipment ensures data accuracy for geological surveys and environmental studies.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Sole-source procurement limits competition and price transparency.
- Lack of detailed justification for sole-source award.
Positive Signals
- Firm fixed-price contract helps control costs.
- Equipment supports critical scientific research.
Sector Analysis
The acquisition falls within the IT and Defense sectors, specifically in the manufacturing of nautical navigation and guidance systems. Spending in this niche area is often characterized by specialized manufacturers and can involve sole-source awards due to unique technological requirements.
Small Business Impact
There is no indication that small businesses were involved in this sole-source procurement. Future solicitations should consider opportunities for small business participation where feasible.
Oversight & Accountability
The sole-source award warrants further review to ensure adequate justification and to confirm that taxpayer funds were used efficiently. A review of the procurement file would clarify the necessity of this approach.
Related Government Programs
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- U.S. Geological Survey Programs
Risk Flags
- Lack of competition
- Potential for overpricing
- Limited transparency in award justification
- No small business participation noted
Tags
search-detection-navigation-guidance-aer, department-of-the-interior, ma, purchase-order, under-100k
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $49,093 to INNOVASEA SYSTEMS, INC.. INNOVASEA ASCENT AR ACOUSTICS RELEASES, VR100 SURFACE TRANSPONDER, VHTX 69KHZ TRANSPONDING HYDROPHONE, AND ASSOCIATED MOORING EQUIPMENT.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is INNOVASEA SYSTEMS, INC..
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 $49,093.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2026-04-03. End: 2026-05-31.
What is the specific technical capability that only Innovasea Systems, Inc. can provide for these acoustic transponders?
The provided data does not specify the unique technical capabilities that necessitate a sole-source award to Innovasea Systems, Inc. Further investigation into the contract file or agency justification would be required to understand the specific technological requirements or proprietary nature of the VR100 Surface Transponder and VHTX 69kHz Transponding Hydrophone that preclude competition.
How does the $49,093 price compare to market rates for similar acoustic transponder systems, especially given the sole-source nature of the award?
Without competitive bids, it is challenging to definitively assess the value for money. The $49,093 price for these specialized acoustic transponders is considered fair in the absence of direct market comparisons. However, sole-source procurements inherently carry a risk of inflated pricing compared to what might be achieved through open competition.
What is the expected impact of this equipment on the USGS's ability to conduct its search, detection, and navigation missions?
The acquisition of these advanced acoustic transponders and hydrophones is expected to significantly enhance the USGS's capabilities in underwater search, detection, and navigation. This specialized equipment is crucial for accurate data collection in marine environments, supporting geological surveys, environmental monitoring, and potentially aiding in the location of submerged assets or geological features.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: SHIP AND MARINE EQUIPMENT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 140G0326Q0048
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 266 SUMMER ST, BOSTON, MA, 02210
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Manufacturer of Goods, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $49,093
Exercised Options: $49,093
Current Obligation: $49,093
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2026-04-03
Current End Date: 2026-05-31
Potential End Date: 2026-05-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-03
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