DOI awards $2.17M for Real-Time Fish Genetic Monitoring Services to SP Cramer & Associates
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,169,180 ($2.2M)
Contractor: SP Cramer & Associates Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2020-06-25
End Date: 2025-09-30
Contract Duration: 1,923 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.1K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: REAL TIME MONITORING SERVICES TO GENETICALLY IDENTIFY FISH
Place of Performance
Location: WEST SACRAMENTO, YOLO County, CALIFORNIA, 95691
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $2.2 million to SP CRAMER & ASSOCIATES INC for work described as: REAL TIME MONITORING SERVICES TO GENETICALLY IDENTIFY FISH Key points: 1. Contract awarded for specialized scientific consulting services. 2. SP Cramer & Associates Inc. is the sole awardee. 3. Potential for high impact on fisheries management and conservation. 4. Spending is concentrated within the 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services' category.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.17 million over approximately 3 years appears reasonable for specialized real-time monitoring services. Benchmarking against similar niche scientific consulting contracts is difficult without more specific service details.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Simplified Acquisition Procedures), suggesting a limited competition approach. This method may not always yield the most competitive pricing compared to full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential environmental monitoring, contributing to sustainable resource management.
Public Impact
Enhances understanding of fish populations and genetic diversity. Supports conservation efforts for endangered or commercially important species. Provides critical data for fisheries management and regulatory decisions. Contributes to scientific research in aquatic ecosystems.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to suboptimal pricing.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical monitoring services.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a specific and important scientific need.
- Long-term contract provides stability for monitoring efforts.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services,' a broad category. Spending in this sector often supports specialized research, environmental assessments, and technical advisory roles for government agencies.
Small Business Impact
The awardee is SP Cramer & Associates Inc. Information regarding its small business status was not provided, but the contract was competed under SAP, which can sometimes favor smaller businesses.
Oversight & Accountability
The Bureau of Reclamation, within the Department of the Interior, is responsible for this contract. Oversight would involve ensuring service delivery meets the specified requirements and that funds are used appropriately.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for vendor lock-in
- Lack of detailed service description for benchmarking
- Sole awardee for critical service
Tags
other-scientific-and-technical-consultin, department-of-the-interior, ca, purchase-order, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of the Interior awarded $2.2 million to SP CRAMER & ASSOCIATES INC. REAL TIME MONITORING SERVICES TO GENETICALLY IDENTIFY FISH
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SP CRAMER & ASSOCIATES INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.2 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2020-06-25. End: 2025-09-30.
What is the specific scientific methodology used for the real-time genetic identification, and how does it compare to alternative methods in terms of accuracy and cost-effectiveness?
The specific methodology is not detailed in the provided data. However, real-time genetic identification typically involves advanced techniques like eDNA analysis or rapid sequencing. The cost-effectiveness would depend on the scale of monitoring, the required turnaround time, and the accuracy needed for regulatory or research purposes compared to traditional sampling and lab analysis.
What are the potential risks associated with relying on a single vendor for critical real-time fish genetic monitoring, particularly concerning data integrity and service continuity?
Risks include vendor lock-in, potential price increases in future renewals, and a lack of redundancy if the vendor experiences operational issues. Data integrity could be compromised if the vendor's quality control is insufficient. Service continuity is a concern if the vendor faces financial instability or technical failures, potentially disrupting vital environmental monitoring.
How will the data generated by these real-time monitoring services be utilized to improve fisheries management decisions and conservation outcomes?
The data will provide immediate insights into fish species presence, population dynamics, and genetic diversity in specific aquatic environments. This allows for rapid adjustments to fishing quotas, timely implementation of conservation measures for vulnerable stocks, and better assessment of environmental impacts on aquatic life, ultimately leading to more effective and responsive management strategies.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services › Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 140R2020Q0031
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 3300 INDUSTRIAL BLVD STE 100, WEST SACRAMENTO, CA, 95691
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,169,180
Exercised Options: $2,169,180
Current Obligation: $2,169,180
Actual Outlays: $2,169,180
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2020-06-25
Current End Date: 2025-09-30
Potential End Date: 2025-09-30 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-01-21
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