DoD's $11.9M desert tortoise study contract awarded to I.T.S. CORPORATION for environmental monitoring

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $11,898,459 ($11.9M)

Contractor: I.T.S. Corporation

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-05-22

End Date: 2011-04-04

Contract Duration: 1,413 days

Daily Burn Rate: $8.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: Other

Official Description: TRANSLOCATION, MONITORING, AND STUDIES OF DESERT TORTOISES

Place of Performance

Location: FORT IRWIN, SAN BERNARDINO County, CALIFORNIA, 92310

State: California Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $11.9 million to I.T.S. CORPORATION for work described as: TRANSLOCATION, MONITORING, AND STUDIES OF DESERT TORTOISES Key points: 1. Contract value appears reasonable for a multi-year environmental study, though specific benchmarks are needed. 2. Full and open competition suggests a healthy market for these specialized environmental services. 3. Contract duration of over three years indicates a significant, long-term project. 4. The contract's focus on desert tortoises highlights a niche but important area of conservation. 5. Performance context is limited without details on study outcomes or deliverables. 6. Sector positioning is within environmental consulting and conservation services for government agencies.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of approximately $11.9 million over its duration is difficult to benchmark without comparable studies. However, for a multi-year environmental monitoring and study contract, the price point does not immediately suggest overpayment. Further analysis would require comparing the scope of work, deliverables, and the specific expertise required against similar contracts awarded by the Department of Defense or other agencies for ecological research and conservation efforts. The firm fixed-price nature of the contract provides cost certainty for the government.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This contract was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple qualified contractors had the opportunity to bid. The specific number of bidders is not provided, but the competitive nature of the award suggests that the government sought the best value from a range of potential providers. This process is designed to foster price discovery and ensure that the government receives competitive pricing for the services rendered.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that the most capable and cost-effective contractor is selected.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are the desert tortoise populations in California, through enhanced monitoring and study efforts. Services delivered include crucial data collection, analysis, and reporting for conservation and environmental impact assessments. The geographic impact is focused on areas within California where desert tortoises are present and potentially affected by military activities or other development. Workforce implications include employment for environmental scientists, biologists, field technicians, and data analysts involved in the project.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Lack of specific performance metrics makes it hard to gauge the true value and impact of the studies.
The duration of the contract (over 3 years) could lead to scope creep or cost overruns if not managed tightly.
Limited information on the contractor's specific track record in desert tortoise research requires further investigation.

Positive Signals

Awarded under full and open competition, suggesting a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing.
The contract addresses a specific environmental need (desert tortoise conservation), indicating focused resource allocation.
Firm fixed-price contract type provides cost predictability for the government.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the environmental consulting and conservation services sector, a specialized area that supports government agencies in meeting regulatory and environmental stewardship obligations. The market for such services is driven by federal and state environmental laws, such as the Endangered Species Act. Spending in this sector can fluctuate based on new environmental regulations, infrastructure projects requiring environmental impact assessments, and ongoing conservation initiatives. Comparable spending benchmarks would involve looking at other large-scale ecological studies or environmental monitoring contracts awarded by agencies like the EPA, Department of the Interior, or Department of Defense.

Small Business Impact

The data indicates that this contract was not set aside for small businesses, nor does it explicitly mention subcontracting requirements for small businesses. Therefore, the direct impact on the small business ecosystem is likely minimal unless I.T.S. CORPORATION voluntarily engages small businesses as subcontractors. Further investigation into subcontracting plans would be needed to assess any indirect benefits to small businesses.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting officer and the contract administration office within the Department of the Army. Performance monitoring, deliverable acceptance, and payment approvals are standard oversight mechanisms. Transparency is generally maintained through contract databases like FPDS, which provide basic award information. Specific Inspector General (IG) jurisdiction would depend on whether any fraud, waste, or abuse is alleged or discovered during the contract's performance or closeout.

Related Government Programs

Endangered Species Act Compliance
Environmental Impact Statements
Wildlife Conservation Programs
Department of Defense Environmental Management
Ecological Research and Monitoring

Risk Flags

Lack of detailed performance metrics.
Limited information on contractor's specific expertise.
Potential for contractor risk under FFP if unforeseen challenges arise.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $11.9 million to I.T.S. CORPORATION. TRANSLOCATION, MONITORING, AND STUDIES OF DESERT TORTOISES

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is I.T.S. CORPORATION.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Department of Defense (Department of the Army).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $11.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-05-22. End: 2011-04-04.

What is the specific track record of I.T.S. CORPORATION in conducting desert tortoise studies or similar endangered species research?

Information regarding I.T.S. CORPORATION's specific track record in desert tortoise studies or similar endangered species research is not detailed in the provided data. A thorough review would involve examining past performance evaluations, project portfolios, and any publicly available reports or publications associated with the contractor. Understanding their experience with the specific ecological challenges, regulatory requirements, and scientific methodologies pertinent to desert tortoise conservation is crucial for assessing their capability to successfully execute this contract. Without this specific background, it's difficult to definitively gauge their expertise beyond what is implied by winning this competitive bid.

How does the $11.9 million contract value compare to similar environmental monitoring contracts for endangered species?

Benchmarking the $11.9 million contract value against similar environmental monitoring contracts for endangered species requires access to a broader dataset of federal contract awards. Factors such as the duration of the contract (over three years), the geographic scope, the specific species' needs, the complexity of the required studies (e.g., population dynamics, habitat assessment, impact analysis), and the level of scientific expertise demanded all influence pricing. While the firm fixed-price nature provides cost certainty, the overall value proposition depends on the quality and impact of the deliverables. A comparative analysis would involve identifying contracts with similar scopes of work, agencies, and timeframes to determine if this award represents a fair market price or deviates significantly.

What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) or deliverables expected under this contract, and how is success measured?

The provided data does not specify the key performance indicators (KPIs) or detailed deliverables expected under this contract. Typically, environmental monitoring and study contracts would include requirements for regular progress reports, data collection protocols, final study reports, population assessments, habitat mapping, and potentially recommendations for mitigation or conservation strategies. Success measurement would likely be tied to the timely submission of high-quality, scientifically sound deliverables that meet the contract's objectives and satisfy the requirements of environmental regulations. Without explicit details on these KPIs and deliverables, assessing the contractor's performance and the contract's overall effectiveness is challenging.

What is the historical spending pattern for desert tortoise monitoring and studies by the Department of the Army or DoD?

The provided data snippet focuses on a single contract and does not offer historical spending patterns for desert tortoise monitoring and studies by the Department of the Army or the broader DoD. To establish historical context, one would need to analyze contract databases over several fiscal years, filtering for relevant keywords (e.g., 'desert tortoise,' 'endangered species,' 'wildlife monitoring,' 'environmental studies') and agencies (Department of the Army, DoD components). This analysis would reveal trends in spending, identify key contractors, and indicate whether this $11.9 million award represents a significant increase, decrease, or consistent level of investment in this specific area of conservation.

What are the potential risks associated with the firm fixed-price contract type for this specific environmental study?

While a firm fixed-price (FFP) contract provides cost certainty for the government, it can introduce risks for the contractor, potentially impacting project execution. For an environmental study, risks could include unforeseen fieldwork challenges (e.g., extreme weather, difficult terrain, unexpected species behavior), changes in scientific understanding or methodologies, or underestimation of the complexity of data analysis. If the contractor underestimates costs or encounters significant unforeseen issues, they might be incentivized to cut corners on data quality or scope to maintain profitability, potentially compromising the study's integrity. Conversely, if the contractor accurately anticipates all challenges and executes efficiently, the FFP structure benefits the government by capping costs.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Other Services (except Public Administration) › Social Advocacy Organizations › Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations

Product/Service Code: SPECIAL STUDIES/ANALYSIS, NOT R&D › SPECIAL STUDIES - NOT R and D

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W9124J07R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 300 E. ESPLANADE STE 1450, OXNARD, CA, 93036

Business Categories: Category Business, Foreign Owned, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $12,791,508

Exercised Options: $11,898,459

Current Obligation: $11,898,459

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline