Everglades National Park receives $144K for multiparameter sensors and accessories from OTT Hydromet Corp

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $144,153 ($144.2K)

Contractor: OTT Hydromet Corp

Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior

Start Date: 2026-04-08

End Date: 2026-08-31

Contract Duration: 145 days

Daily Burn Rate: $994/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: SUPPLY, MULTIPARAMETER SENSORS AND ACCESSORIES FOR EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK (EVER)

Place of Performance

Location: STERLING, LOUDOUN County, VIRGINIA, 20164

State: Virginia Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of the Interior obligated $144,152.64 to OTT HYDROMET CORP for work described as: SUPPLY, MULTIPARAMETER SENSORS AND ACCESSORIES FOR EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK (EVER) Key points: 1. Value for money is difficult to assess due to limited competition. 2. OTT Hydromet Corp. is the sole provider, raising concerns about pricing power. 3. The contract duration of 145 days is relatively short, suggesting a focused need. 4. This purchase supports environmental monitoring within a critical national park. 5. The fixed-price contract type offers some cost certainty. 6. No small business participation is indicated.

Value Assessment

Rating: questionable

Benchmarking the value of this contract is challenging given the lack of competitive bidding. The price of $144,152.64 for multiparameter sensors and accessories appears to be set without market validation. Without comparable contract data or a competitive process, it's difficult to determine if this represents a fair market price or if taxpayers received optimal value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: sole-source

This contract was awarded on a sole-source basis, meaning only one vendor, OTT Hydromet Corp., was solicited. This significantly limits the opportunity for price discovery and potentially leads to higher costs than if multiple vendors had competed. The absence of competition suggests a potential reliance on a specific product or vendor, which warrants scrutiny.

Taxpayer Impact: The lack of competition means taxpayers may be paying a premium for these sensors, as there was no market pressure to drive down prices. This could set a precedent for future sole-source procurements of similar equipment.

Public Impact

The National Park Service benefits from the acquisition of essential monitoring equipment. Environmental data collection for Everglades National Park will be supported. The geographic impact is localized to the Everglades National Park area. The contract supports the operational needs of park scientists and researchers.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits price competition and potentially inflates costs.
Lack of transparency in the procurement process due to no-bid award.
Potential for vendor lock-in if this equipment is proprietary or specialized.

Positive Signals

Procurement supports critical environmental monitoring for a national park.
Firm fixed-price contract provides cost predictability.
Specific product identified for a defined need.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing sector, specifically for measuring, displaying, and controlling industrial process variables. The market for environmental monitoring equipment is specialized, with a few key players often dominating specific niches. The spending of $144K is modest within the broader federal procurement landscape for scientific instruments.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. There is no indication of subcontracting opportunities for small businesses. The sole-source nature of the award further limits the potential for small business involvement in this specific procurement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would primarily fall under the National Park Service's contracting officers and the Department of the Interior's Inspector General. Transparency is limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, making detailed public scrutiny of the price and vendor selection process difficult.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Equipment Procurement
National Park Service Operations Support
Scientific Instruments for Conservation

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Lack of competitive bidding
Potential for inflated pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of the Interior awarded $144,152.64 to OTT HYDROMET CORP. SUPPLY, MULTIPARAMETER SENSORS AND ACCESSORIES FOR EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK (EVER)

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is OTT HYDROMET CORP.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $144,152.64.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-04-08. End: 2026-08-31.

What is the track record of OTT Hydromet Corp. with federal agencies?

Information regarding OTT Hydromet Corp.'s specific track record with federal agencies is not detailed in the provided data. However, as a supplier of multiparameter sensors and accessories, their business likely involves providing equipment to various government entities for environmental monitoring, research, or operational purposes. A deeper dive into federal procurement databases like SAM.gov or FPDS would be necessary to ascertain the extent and nature of their past federal contracts, including performance history, any past issues, and the types of agencies they have served. This would help in assessing their reliability and experience in fulfilling government requirements.

How does the price of $144,152.64 compare to similar multiparameter sensor purchases by the federal government?

Direct price comparison is difficult without knowing the exact specifications of the sensors and accessories purchased. However, given that this was a sole-source award, the price is likely not benchmarked against market competition. Federal agencies often procure similar environmental monitoring equipment. Analyzing historical data for contracts with similar Product Service Codes (PSCs) or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes, particularly those awarded through competitive processes, would provide a better understanding of typical price ranges. The absence of competition here suggests this price may be higher than what could have been achieved through a bidding process.

What are the primary risks associated with a sole-source procurement for critical park equipment?

The primary risks associated with a sole-source procurement for critical park equipment like multiparameter sensors include inflated pricing due to lack of competition, potential for vendor lock-in if the equipment is proprietary or requires specialized maintenance, and reduced transparency in the acquisition process. Taxpayers may bear a higher cost. Furthermore, reliance on a single vendor can create supply chain vulnerabilities if that vendor experiences production issues or goes out of business. It also limits the government's ability to leverage market dynamics for better terms or innovative solutions from a wider range of suppliers.

How effective is this type of equipment in supporting the mission of the National Park Service in Everglades?

Multiparameter sensors and accessories are crucial for the National Park Service's mission, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas like the Everglades. They enable continuous monitoring of vital water quality parameters (e.g., temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity), which are essential for understanding ecosystem health, tracking environmental changes, managing natural resources, and enforcing regulations. The data collected helps scientists assess the impact of pollution, climate change, and restoration efforts. Therefore, acquiring reliable sensor technology directly supports the NPS's mandate to preserve and protect national parks for future generations.

What are the historical spending patterns for environmental monitoring equipment by the Department of the Interior?

Historical spending patterns for environmental monitoring equipment by the Department of the Interior (DOI) would likely show consistent investment in such technologies to support its various agencies, including the National Park Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Bureau of Land Management. Spending typically fluctuates based on specific research needs, infrastructure upgrades, and the lifecycle of existing equipment. Analyzing past DOI contracts for similar equipment, potentially using NAICS code 334513 (Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables), would reveal trends in procurement volume, average contract values, and the types of sensors most frequently acquired. This specific $144K purchase appears to be a relatively small, targeted acquisition within that broader context.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables

Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 22400 DAVIS DR STE 100, STERLING, VA, 20164

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $144,153

Exercised Options: $144,153

Current Obligation: $144,153

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES

Timeline