DHS awards $3.7M contract for oil spill cleanup services to Global Diving & Salvage, Inc

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $3,710 ($3.7K)

Contractor: Global Diving & Salvage, Inc.

Awarding Agency: Department of Homeland Security

Start Date: 2026-02-12

End Date: 2026-04-12

Contract Duration: 59 days

Daily Burn Rate: $63/day

Competition Type: NOT COMPETED

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: Other

Official Description: UCGPA26013 - PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT TO MITIGATE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF AN OIL SPILL OR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS INCIDENT AS DIRECTED BY THE FOSC.

Place of Performance

Location: ANTIOCH, CONTRA COSTA County, CALIFORNIA, 94509

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Homeland Security obligated $3,709.57 to GLOBAL DIVING & SALVAGE, INC. for work described as: UCGPA26013 - PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT TO MITIGATE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF AN OIL SPILL OR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS INCIDENT AS DIRECTED BY THE FOSC. Key points: 1. Contract awarded on a sole-source basis, raising questions about potential cost efficiencies. 2. Limited competition may impact the government's ability to secure the most favorable pricing. 3. The contract duration is relatively short, suggesting a focus on immediate response needs. 4. The service category, remediation services, is critical for environmental protection and public safety. 5. The contract's value is moderate, but its impact on environmental incident response is significant.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $3.7 million for remediation services appears moderate. Without comparable sole-source contracts for similar oil spill mitigation efforts, it is difficult to benchmark the value for money. The time and materials pricing structure could lead to cost overruns if not closely monitored. Further analysis of the labor rates and material markups would be necessary to provide a more definitive assessment of 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 was solicited. This approach bypasses the standard competitive bidding process, which typically involves multiple companies vying for the contract. While sole-source awards can be justified in specific circumstances, such as urgent needs or unique capabilities, they limit the government's ability to explore a wider range of pricing and service options.

Taxpayer Impact: Sole-source awards can potentially lead to higher costs for taxpayers as there is no competitive pressure to drive down prices. It also reduces transparency in the procurement process.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the U.S. Coast Guard and the public, who will receive critical services to mitigate environmental damage from oil spills or hazardous chemical incidents. The services delivered will include labor, materials, and equipment necessary for spill response and cleanup operations. The contract is geographically focused on California, indicating a specific regional need for these services. The contract will likely involve specialized personnel with expertise in environmental remediation and emergency response.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Sole-source award limits competitive pricing and potentially increases costs for taxpayers.
Lack of competition may reduce the incentive for the contractor to optimize efficiency.
Time and materials contract type carries inherent risk of cost escalation if not managed stringently.

Positive Signals

Contract addresses a critical need for environmental protection and emergency response.
Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. likely possesses specialized capabilities required for oil spill mitigation.
The contract is awarded to a specific entity, ensuring a known responder for critical incidents.

Sector Analysis

The remediation services sector is crucial for environmental management and disaster response. This contract falls within the broader environmental consulting and services industry, which includes companies specializing in hazardous material cleanup, spill response, and environmental restoration. The market for such services is driven by regulatory requirements and the need for rapid response to environmental incidents. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the scope and scale of potential incidents.

Small Business Impact

This contract does not appear to have a small business set-aside. Given the specialized nature of oil spill response, it is possible that larger, more experienced firms are typically awarded such contracts. Further investigation into subcontracting opportunities for small businesses would be beneficial to understand their potential involvement.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract will likely be managed by the U.S. Coast Guard contracting officers and program managers. Accountability measures would include performance reviews, adherence to delivery orders, and compliance with environmental regulations. Transparency may be limited due to the sole-source nature of the award, but contract details and performance should be publicly available through federal procurement databases.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Remediation Services
Oil Spill Response Contracts
Hazardous Material Cleanup
Emergency Response Services

Risk Flags

Sole-source award
Time and materials pricing
Limited competition

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Homeland Security awarded $3,709.57 to GLOBAL DIVING & SALVAGE, INC.. UCGPA26013 - PROVIDE LABOR, MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT TO MITIGATE THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF AN OIL SPILL OR HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS INCIDENT AS DIRECTED BY THE FOSC.

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is GLOBAL DIVING & SALVAGE, 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 $3,709.57.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2026-02-12. End: 2026-04-12.

What is the track record of Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. in handling similar oil spill incidents?

Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. has a documented history of responding to marine casualties and environmental incidents, including oil spills and hazardous material releases. Their expertise often lies in salvage operations, underwater construction, and emergency response. Specific details regarding their performance on past U.S. Coast Guard contracts or other government-related spill responses would require a deeper dive into contract performance reports and historical data. However, their specialization in diving and salvage suggests they possess the core competencies required for such mitigation efforts. Assessing their track record would involve reviewing past project outcomes, client satisfaction, and adherence to safety and environmental protocols.

How does the pricing structure of this contract compare to industry standards for similar remediation services?

The contract utilizes a Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure. T&M contracts can be cost-effective for projects with uncertain scope or duration, as they allow for flexibility. However, they also carry a higher risk of cost escalation for the government if not managed diligently. Benchmarking T&M rates for specialized remediation services is complex, as it depends heavily on the specific labor categories, equipment utilized, and geographic location. Without access to the detailed labor rates and material markups agreed upon in this contract, a direct comparison to industry standards is challenging. Generally, government agencies aim to negotiate T&M rates that are competitive with commercial market rates, often referencing established cost principles and fair pricing guidelines.

What are the specific risks associated with a sole-source award for oil spill response services?

The primary risk associated with a sole-source award for oil spill response services is the potential for inflated costs due to the lack of competition. Without competing bids, the government may not achieve the most favorable pricing. Additionally, a sole-source award can limit the government's access to a broader range of innovative solutions or specialized capabilities that other firms might offer. There's also a reduced incentive for the awarded contractor to operate with maximum efficiency and cost-consciousness, as they are guaranteed the contract without needing to outperform competitors. This necessitates robust oversight and stringent contract management to mitigate these risks and ensure value for taxpayer money.

What is the typical duration and value of similar U.S. Coast Guard contracts for oil spill mitigation?

The duration and value of similar U.S. Coast Guard contracts for oil spill mitigation can vary significantly based on the scope of services, geographic region, and the nature of potential threats. Contracts can range from short-term, incident-specific response agreements to longer-term, indefinite-delivery-indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contracts covering broader operational areas. The current contract, with a value of $3.7 million and a duration of approximately two months (February 12, 2026, to April 12, 2026), appears to be for a specific, short-term response or readiness period. Larger, multi-year contracts for regional spill response preparedness could be valued in the tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

How does the geographic focus on California impact the selection of contractors for oil spill response?

A geographic focus on California for oil spill response contracts can influence contractor selection in several ways. Firstly, it may favor contractors with established operations, equipment, and personnel located within or near the state, enabling faster response times. Proximity is often a critical factor in emergency response scenarios. Secondly, contractors must be familiar with California's specific environmental regulations, permitting processes, and sensitive ecosystems, which can differ from other regions. While national or international firms may still bid, those with a strong local presence and understanding of California's unique challenges are likely to have an advantage. This contract's sole-source nature, however, suggests that the U.S. Coast Guard may have identified Global Diving & Salvage, Inc. as having the most suitable capabilities for this specific requirement in California.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services › Remediation and Other Waste Management Services › Remediation Services

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS PROTECTION

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: NOT COMPETED

Solicitation Procedures: ONLY ONE SOURCE

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3840 W MARGINAL WAY SW, SEATTLE, WA, 98106

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

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $3,710

Exercised Options: $3,710

Current Obligation: $3,710

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 70Z08425GSEAT0001

IDV Type: BOA

Timeline