Coast Guard Awards $2.66M for Maritime Domain Awareness Services to Saildrone Inc
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $2,659,286 ($2.7M)
Contractor: Saildrone Inc
Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security
Start Date: 2025-09-12
End Date: 2026-09-11
Contract Duration: 364 days
Daily Burn Rate: $7.3K/day
Competition Type: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: Other
Official Description: CALL ORDER FOR SOUTHEAST DISTRICT TO PROVIDE MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS.
Place of Performance
Location: ALAMEDA, ALAMEDA County, CALIFORNIA, 94501
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Homeland Security obligated $2.7 million to SAILDRONE INC for work described as: CALL ORDER FOR SOUTHEAST DISTRICT TO PROVIDE MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS. Key points: 1. Contract awarded for maritime domain awareness services. 2. Saildrone Inc. is the sole provider for this specific capability. 3. The contract is a firm fixed price call order under a BPA. 4. Services are for the Southeast District, impacting regional security.
Value Assessment
Rating: fair
The contract value of $2.66M for a 1-year duration appears reasonable for specialized maritime domain awareness technology. Benchmarking against similar advanced sensor contracts is difficult due to the unique nature of Saildrone's offerings.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
This contract was not competed under SAP, indicating a limited competition approach, likely due to the specialized nature of the technology or existing contract vehicle (BPA Call). This limits price discovery and potentially increases costs.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for advanced surveillance technology, with potential for cost savings if the system proves effective in enhancing maritime security and preventing illicit activities.
Public Impact
Enhances national security by improving monitoring of maritime activities. Supports Coast Guard operations in the Southeast District. Utilizes advanced drone technology for data collection. Potential for improved response to threats like smuggling and illegal fishing.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition may lead to higher costs.
- Reliance on a single vendor for critical services.
- Effectiveness of the technology in diverse maritime conditions is unproven at scale.
Positive Signals
- Addresses a critical need for maritime domain awareness.
- Leverages innovative technology for surveillance.
- Supports a specific geographic region with high maritime traffic.
Sector Analysis
This contract falls under 'Other Computer Related Services' (NAICS 541519), which encompasses a broad range of IT and data services. Spending in this sector is high, but this specific niche of maritime drone surveillance is specialized.
Small Business Impact
The contract was awarded to Saildrone Inc., a private company. There is no indication of small business participation in this specific award, suggesting larger firms or specialized providers are dominant in this niche.
Oversight & Accountability
The contract is a call order under an existing BPA, suggesting some level of prior vetting. However, the limited competition aspect warrants oversight to ensure fair pricing and effective service delivery.
Related Government Programs
- Other Computer Related Services
- Department of Homeland Security Contracting
- U.S. Coast Guard Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Potential for price escalation
- Vendor lock-in
- Reliance on specialized technology
Tags
other-computer-related-services, department-of-homeland-security, ca, bpa-call, 1m-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Homeland Security awarded $2.7 million to SAILDRONE INC. CALL ORDER FOR SOUTHEAST DISTRICT TO PROVIDE MARITIME DOMAIN AWARENESS.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is SAILDRONE INC.
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Homeland Security (U.S. Coast Guard).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $2.7 million.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2025-09-12. End: 2026-09-11.
What is the specific technological advantage of Saildrone's platform that justifies limited competition for maritime domain awareness?
Saildrone's platform offers persistent, long-duration maritime surveillance using autonomous surface vehicles equipped with advanced sensors. This capability is unique for continuous data collection in challenging ocean environments, providing real-time intelligence that traditional methods may not achieve efficiently. Its ability to operate in remote areas and gather data on weather, ocean conditions, and vessel traffic is key to its specialized value.
What are the primary risks associated with relying on a single vendor for this critical maritime domain awareness capability?
The primary risks include vendor lock-in, potential price escalation without competitive pressure, and supply chain disruptions if Saildrone faces operational issues. Dependence on one provider also limits the government's flexibility to adopt newer, potentially superior technologies that may emerge. Ensuring robust contract management and performance monitoring is crucial to mitigate these risks.
How will the effectiveness of this maritime domain awareness system be measured to ensure value for taxpayer investment?
Effectiveness will likely be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) tied to the system's ability to detect and track vessels of interest, provide timely and accurate data, and contribute to successful interdiction or intelligence gathering operations. Regular performance reviews, user feedback from the Coast Guard, and comparison of incident response times before and after system implementation will be critical metrics.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Computer Systems Design and Related Services › Other Computer Related Services
Product/Service Code: IT AND TELECOM - INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS › IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Offers Received: 1
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 1050 W TOWER AVE, ALAMEDA, CA, 94501
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $2,659,286
Exercised Options: $2,659,286
Current Obligation: $2,659,286
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Parent Contract
Parent Award PIID: 70Z02325A75100001
IDV Type: BPA
Timeline
Start Date: 2025-09-12
Current End Date: 2026-09-11
Potential End Date: 2026-09-11 02:00:34
Last Modified: 2026-03-23
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