Purchase Order 1305M326P0071

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a $52,123.36 firm fixed-price purchase order to Aerial Associates Photography Inc. (doing business as Skypics) on April 23, 2026, for non-personal services involving hyperspectral imaging flights and data collection. The contract, which extends through December 30, 2026, supports NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) across Lake Michigan, Lake Erie/Lake St. Clair, and Lake Huron. The work was procured on a sole source basis under FAR 6.103-1, as Aerial Associates Photography Inc. is currently the only vendor in the region with a specially equipped aircraft capable of mounting the government's hyperspectral data imager system. The contractor, based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, will conduct flights on an as-needed basis to detect, map, and assess HAB growth and toxicity in response to algal bloom activity.

This procurement directly supports mandates established under the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABNRCA), which authorizes federal efforts to address harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes. The classification falls under NAICS code 541360 (Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services) and PSC code F999 (Other Environmental Services). No set-aside designation was applied to this award. The contract represents a critical capability for NOAA's environmental monitoring mission, enabling rapid response to harmful algal bloom conditions that pose threats to water quality, public health, and ecosystem integrity across the Great Lakes region.