DoD spent over $10.9M on visual fish counting R&D, with a 5-year duration

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $10,922,271 ($10.9M)

Contractor: Fish & Wildlife, Washington State Department of

Awarding Agency: Department of Defense

Start Date: 2007-02-12

End Date: 2012-08-29

Contract Duration: 2,025 days

Daily Burn Rate: $5.4K/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Number of Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE

Sector: R&D

Official Description: VISUAL FISH COUNTING

Place of Performance

Location: UMATILLA, UMATILLA County, OREGON, 97882

State: Oregon Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Department of Defense obligated $10.9 million to FISH & WILDLIFE, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF for work described as: VISUAL FISH COUNTING Key points: 1. The contract's value of over $10.9 million for visual fish counting research and development suggests a significant investment in ecological monitoring technologies. 2. The use of a definitive contract with a firm fixed price indicates a clear scope of work and established cost parameters. 3. The contract was awarded under full and open competition, implying a robust bidding process and potential for competitive pricing. 4. The 5-year duration of the contract points to a long-term commitment to the research and development objectives. 5. The contract's focus on R&D in physical, engineering, and life sciences aligns with the Department of Defense's broader environmental stewardship and operational needs. 6. The award to a state agency (Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife) for specialized ecological research is notable.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

Benchmarking the value of this specific R&D contract is challenging due to the specialized nature of 'visual fish counting'. However, the $10.9 million expenditure over five years indicates a substantial investment. Without comparable R&D contracts for similar ecological monitoring technologies, it's difficult to definitively assess value for money. The firm fixed-price structure suggests cost certainty, but the effectiveness and ultimate utility of the developed technology would be the primary determinants of true value.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

The contract was awarded under full and open competition, suggesting that multiple potential bidders were allowed to submit proposals. This approach typically fosters a competitive environment, encouraging bidders to offer their best pricing and technical solutions to win the contract. The fact that it was competed openly implies that the government sought the most advantageous offer from a wide range of qualified sources.

Taxpayer Impact: Full and open competition generally benefits taxpayers by driving down costs through market forces and ensuring that the government receives a fair price for the services or research procured.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely the Department of Defense and potentially other federal or state environmental agencies that can utilize the developed visual fish counting technology for ecological monitoring and compliance. The services delivered involve research and development aimed at creating or improving methods for counting fish visually, likely for environmental impact assessments or resource management. The geographic impact is not explicitly stated but could be widespread if the technology is applicable to various aquatic environments managed or monitored by the DoD. Workforce implications may include employment for researchers, scientists, and technicians involved in the R&D process, as well as potential future roles in deploying and operating the technology.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

The specific application of 'visual fish counting' for the Department of Defense raises questions about its direct relevance to military operations versus broader environmental compliance or research mandates.
The lack of detailed performance metrics or outcomes in the provided data makes it difficult to assess the success or impact of the R&D effort.
The significant investment over five years warrants scrutiny to ensure the developed technology meets its intended objectives and provides tangible benefits.

Positive Signals

The contract was awarded through full and open competition, indicating a transparent and competitive procurement process.
The firm fixed-price contract type provides cost certainty for the government, mitigating the risk of cost overruns.
The long duration (5 years) suggests a strategic commitment to advancing technology in this specialized field.

Sector Analysis

The contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on life sciences and environmental monitoring. The market for ecological research and technology development is diverse, often involving academic institutions, specialized research firms, and state environmental agencies. The Department of Defense's involvement suggests a need for advanced environmental monitoring capabilities that may support its land and water management responsibilities or environmental impact assessments related to its operations. Comparable spending benchmarks are difficult to establish without more specific details on the technology's application and novelty.

Small Business Impact

The provided data does not indicate any specific small business set-asides or subcontracting requirements for this contract. As it was awarded to a state department, the focus was likely on specialized expertise rather than broad small business participation. Further investigation would be needed to determine if any small businesses were involved as subcontractors.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight for this contract would typically be managed by the contracting agency within the Department of the Army, ensuring adherence to the contract terms and milestones. Accountability would be tied to the successful completion of R&D objectives as defined in the contract. Transparency is facilitated by the contract's award under full and open competition, with details likely available through federal procurement databases. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse were suspected.

Related Government Programs

Environmental Monitoring Programs
Ecological Research Grants
Department of Defense Environmental Compliance
Fish and Wildlife Service Research Contracts
National Science Foundation Research Awards

Risk Flags

Research and Development Scope Uncertainty
Technological Feasibility Risk
Long-term Project Duration Risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Department of Defense awarded $10.9 million to FISH & WILDLIFE, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF. VISUAL FISH COUNTING

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is FISH & WILDLIFE, WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF.

Which agency awarded this contract?

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

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $10.9 million.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2007-02-12. End: 2012-08-29.

What specific visual fish counting technologies or methodologies were developed or improved under this contract?

The provided data does not specify the exact technologies or methodologies developed. However, 'visual fish counting' implies advancements in areas such as underwater camera systems, image recognition software, AI-driven analysis of video footage, or potentially novel survey techniques that rely on direct observation. The research and development effort likely aimed to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and the ability to count fish in challenging aquatic environments where traditional methods are insufficient or impractical. Further details would be found in the contract's statement of work and final reports.

How does the $10.9 million expenditure compare to other DoD R&D investments in environmental science?

Comparing this $10.9 million contract to other DoD R&D investments in environmental science requires access to broader spending data. The Department of Defense invests in a wide array of R&D, including environmental technologies, climate change adaptation, and natural resource management. While $10.9 million is a significant sum for a single R&D project, it represents a fraction of the DoD's overall R&D budget, which can run into billions annually. The specific allocation reflects the perceived importance and scope of the visual fish counting initiative within the DoD's environmental research portfolio.

What were the key performance indicators (KPIs) for this contract, and were they met?

The provided data does not include the specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) established for this contract. Typically, R&D contracts would define success based on factors such as the accuracy of the developed counting system, the efficiency gains achieved, the ability to operate in specific environmental conditions, or the successful integration of the technology into existing monitoring frameworks. Without access to the contract's performance metrics and subsequent evaluation reports, it is impossible to determine if the KPIs were met.

What is the track record of the Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife in executing DoD research contracts?

The Washington State Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) is a state agency primarily focused on managing wildlife and fisheries within Washington. While state agencies often collaborate with federal entities on research and conservation, their track record specifically with executing Department of Defense (DoD) research contracts is not detailed in the provided data. WDFW's expertise lies in ecological sciences and wildlife management. Their ability to secure and execute this DoD contract suggests they possess the necessary scientific capabilities and potentially prior experience in government contracting, though the extent of their DoD-specific experience would require further investigation.

Were there any identified risks associated with this contract, and how were they mitigated?

The provided data does not explicitly list risks associated with this contract. However, common risks in R&D contracts include technological feasibility challenges (the developed tech may not work as intended), schedule delays, cost overruns (though mitigated by fixed-price), and the risk that the final product may not meet the evolving needs of the end-user. Given the firm fixed-price nature and full and open competition, the primary mitigation strategies would have been a well-defined SOW, competitive pricing, and robust contractor oversight. The 5-year duration also implies a phased approach, allowing for risk assessment and adjustment at different stages.

What is the potential for this visual fish counting technology to be adopted by other federal agencies or for other applications?

The potential for adoption by other federal agencies or for different applications is significant, depending on the technology's success. Agencies like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Forest Service all conduct ecological monitoring and research where advanced fish counting methods could be valuable. Beyond government use, the technology could find applications in private sector environmental consulting, fisheries management, and academic research, potentially leading to broader environmental monitoring advancements.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences

Product/Service Code: NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT › NATURAL RESOURCE CONSERVERVAT SVCS

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: W912EF07R0001

Offers Received: 1

Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Parent Company: Washington State Dept of Social and Health SE (UEI: 079248936)

Address: 1111 WASHINGTON STREET SE, OLYMPIA, WA, 98501

Business Categories: Category Business, Government, Not Designated a Small Business, U.S. Regional/State Government

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $10,922,271

Exercised Options: $10,922,271

Current Obligation: $10,922,271

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL ITEM

Cost or Pricing Data: NO

Timeline