NMFS Scientific and Technical Support Services

The NMFS Scientific and Technical Support Services Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract is a comprehensive federal contract vehicle awarded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to support scientific and technical services for the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The contract enables NOAA to rapidly acquire professional scientific, technical, and administrative support across multiple research centers and regional offices, including the Alaska Fisheries Science Center, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, West Coast Region, and Pacific Islands Regional Office. The vehicle supports a wide range of marine and fisheries-related research, including marine mammal studies, ecological assessments, data collection, technical support, and specialized scientific services.

The task orders under this IDIQ demonstrate a diverse range of scientific and technical support services, predominantly using labor hour pricing mechanisms. Prime contractors Lynker Corporation and Ocean Associates Inc. (OAI) were the most frequent awardees, with contract values ranging from approximately $25,000 to over $1.9 million and typical performance periods of 12-24 months. Key task order scopes included roles such as Scientist (various levels), Biological Technicians, Molecular Geneticists, Natural Resource Specialists, and Information Systems Specialists, supporting research in areas like marine mammal studies, Arctic marine mammal surveys, zooplankton studies, and fisheries research. Most task orders were not set aside for specific small business categories, though a few were designated for total small business. Primary performance locations included Seattle, Washington; Honolulu, Hawaii; La Jolla, California; and various Arctic and Pacific regional research sites. The contract vehicle facilitated NOAA's ability to quickly acquire specialized scientific talent to support its marine research and conservation missions.