Indefinite Delivery Contract 1305M326D0001

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded a $24.9 million single-award Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract to A.i.s., Inc. (doing business as Atlantic Inspection Services), a Massachusetts-based small business, for the Southeast Fisheries Observer Programs. This contract, effective April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2031, is set aside exclusively for small businesses and requires the contractor to recruit, train, and manage scientific fishery observers deployed on commercial fishing vessels throughout the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean regions. The observer program focuses on collecting critical environmental, biological, and fisheries data while monitoring fishing operations, recording catch and discard information, and documenting interactions with protected marine species. Compensation is structured through two primary line items: firm-fixed-price Sea Day Observer Support Services and time-and-materials Travel Expenses, with historical data indicating an average of 3,276 total sea days annually across the program regions.

A.i.s., Inc. is responsible for initial observer training costs, while NOAA provides base training; observers must possess a bachelor's degree in natural sciences, complete a three-week government training course, obtain safety certifications, and maintain strict adherence to conflict of interest and professional conduct standards. The contract performance is based in Massachusetts, with contract administration conducted through the NOAA Fisheries Administration in Seattle, Washington. All work is subject to Service Contract Act wage determinations, establishing minimum wages and comprehensive benefits including health and welfare provisions, vacation accrual, and paid sick leave. This procurement represents a continuation of A.i.s., Inc.'s significant role in fisheries observer support services, complementing the company's existing contracts with NOAA including observer programs for the Northeast and North Pacific regions.