Interior's Bureau of Reclamation Awards $2.14M Contract for Salmon Monitoring in California Rivers
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,139,000 ($2.1M)
Contractor: Fishbio
Awarding Agency: Department of the Interior
Start Date: 2023-08-03
End Date: 2026-08-31
Contract Duration: 1,124 days
Daily Burn Rate: $1.9K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: MONITORING ADULT ANADROMOUS O. MYKISS IN THE LOWER SAN JOAQUIN AND STANISLAUS RIVER
Place of Performance
Location: SACRAMENTO, SACRAMENTO County, CALIFORNIA, 95814
Plain-Language Summary
Department of the Interior obligated $2.1 million to FISHBIO for work described as: MONITORING ADULT ANADROMOUS O. MYKISS IN THE LOWER SAN JOAQUIN AND STANISLAUS RIVER Key points: 1. Contract focuses on critical environmental monitoring of adult anadromous salmon. 2. FISHBIO is the sole awardee, indicating potential limited competition. 3. The contract duration is substantial at 1124 days. 4. Spending falls under 'Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services'.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.14 million for approximately 3 years of scientific consulting services appears reasonable given the specialized nature of fisheries monitoring. Benchmarking against similar environmental consulting contracts would provide a clearer picture of value.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP (Small Acquisition Program), suggesting it was likely set aside for small businesses or competed among a limited pool. This method may not guarantee the lowest price achievable through full and open competition.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are being used for essential environmental monitoring, contributing to ecological health and regulatory compliance. The specific price discovery mechanism impacts the overall efficiency of this spending.
Public Impact
Supports vital ecological research for endangered species. Ensures compliance with environmental regulations for water management. Provides data crucial for salmon population health and recovery efforts. Impacts local California ecosystems and potentially broader water resource management.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Long contract duration could pose budget risks if needs change.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical monitoring.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a specific, important environmental need.
- Supports ongoing scientific data collection.
- Firm fixed-price contract provides cost certainty.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls within the scientific and technical consulting services sector, often characterized by specialized expertise. Benchmarks for similar environmental monitoring contracts are difficult to ascertain without more specific service details, but the value appears moderate for the duration.
Small Business Impact
While competed under SAP, it is unclear if this was specifically a small business set-aside. The vendor, FISHBIO, is a small business, aligning with potential small business utilization goals.
Oversight & Accountability
The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for this contract. Oversight would involve monitoring performance against contract deliverables and ensuring adherence to the firm fixed-price terms. The long duration necessitates consistent oversight.
Related Government Programs
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services
- Department of the Interior Contracting
- Bureau of Reclamation Programs
Risk Flags
- Potential for limited competition driving up costs.
- Long contract duration increases exposure to changing environmental conditions or agency priorities.
- Dependence on a single vendor for critical data collection.
- Need for robust oversight to ensure data quality and adherence to scope.
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 $2.1 million to FISHBIO. MONITORING ADULT ANADROMOUS O. MYKISS IN THE LOWER SAN JOAQUIN AND STANISLAUS RIVER
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is FISHBIO.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of the Interior (Bureau of Reclamation).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.1 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2023-08-03. End: 2026-08-31.
What specific scientific methodologies will be employed for monitoring adult anadromous salmon, and how do these align with best practices for ensuring data accuracy and reliability?
The contract likely specifies detailed monitoring protocols, potentially including sonar, tagging, or creel surveys. Adherence to established scientific standards and peer-reviewed methodologies is crucial for data integrity. The Bureau of Reclamation's oversight should confirm the use of scientifically sound techniques to ensure the collected data accurately reflects salmon populations and migration patterns.
Given the limited competition indicated by SAP, what steps were taken to ensure fair pricing and prevent potential cost overruns for this $2.14 million contract?
Competing under SAP suggests a streamlined process, possibly a set-aside or limited solicitation. To ensure fair pricing, the agency likely relied on market research, historical data, or pre-negotiated rates. The firm fixed-price structure provides some cost certainty, but ongoing monitoring of performance and deliverables is essential to prevent scope creep or unjustified cost increases.
How will the data collected from this salmon monitoring contract be utilized to inform future water management decisions and conservation strategies in the San Joaquin and Stanislaus River basins?
The collected data is intended to provide critical insights into salmon population dynamics, migration success, and environmental factors influencing their survival. This information will directly inform the Bureau of Reclamation's operational decisions regarding water releases, habitat restoration efforts, and compliance with environmental regulations, ultimately contributing to the recovery of anadromous fish populations.
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: 140R2023Q0032
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1617 S YOSEMITE AVE, OAKDALE, CA, 95361
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $3,636,600
Exercised Options: $2,139,000
Current Obligation: $2,139,000
Actual Outlays: $1,714,800
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2023-08-03
Current End Date: 2026-08-31
Potential End Date: 2028-08-31 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-02-24
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