Vancouver Volcano Science Center

The U.S. Geological Survey, a civilian sub-agency of the Department of the Interior, procures contracts and issues grants to support scientific research, monitoring, and operational missions including water resources, hazards assessment, biological surveys, and geospatial data collection. The Survey has awarded 18 federal contracts totaling $469 thousand in combined potential value since 2008, with $460 thousand obligated, and one cooperative agreement worth $30 thousand issued in 2013.

Contract activity remains minimal and episodic. Over the last five years, the Survey closed 9 awards across 2021 through 2026, averaging fewer than two per year: 3 awards in 2021, 2 in 2022, 1 in 2024, 2 in 2025, and 1 year-to-date in 2026. The most recently recorded award date is March 17, 2026. Six distinct prime contractors have been awarded across the portfolio lifetime, but the competitive base is highly concentrated by both count and value. Northwest Helicopters LLC dominates with 5 awards and $176 thousand combined potential value, followed by JL Aviation, Inc. with 2 awards and $113 thousand. These two primes account for 100 percent of recent award count and 61 percent of recent combined potential value over the last five years, reflecting the Survey's reliance on specialized helicopter and aviation services for field operations and remote sensing. The remaining four contractors each hold single awards. Set-asides are minimal: 16 awards (89 percent) carry no set-aside designation, while 2 awards (11 percent) are small-business set-asides. No 8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, or HUBZone awards are recorded.

Grant activity is dormant. The Survey issued one cooperative agreement in 2013 worth $30 thousand, and no grant awards have closed since. No recent grant opportunities are recorded.

The Survey's contract footprint is narrow and specialized, dominated by helicopter and aviation vendors supporting field surveys and data collection. The modest award volume, long intervals between transactions, and low dollar values suggest that contract procurement is not a primary funding mechanism at the agency. Firms pursuing work here should focus on aviation and remote-sensing services aligned with USGS scientific missions and expect highly infrequent solicitation cycles. Grant activity at the Survey is not presently active.