Natural Resources And Environment R&D Services; Water Resources; Basic Research

PSC Category AH11 encompasses research and development services focused on natural resources and environmental water resources, with an emphasis on basic research initiatives. This category covers specialized scientific and technical investigations related to environmental systems, water management, coastal engineering, and ecological assessment methodologies. The work typically involves advanced computational modeling, data analysis, and innovative research approaches to understanding complex environmental and aquatic systems.

The federal contract awards in this PSC category predominantly feature definitive contracts and delivery orders issued by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), with contract values ranging from approximately $50,000 to $4.4 million. Frequent award recipients include universities such as University of Southern Mississippi, University of Notre Dame, North Carolina State University, and research-focused organizations like Taylor-Woolpert, LLC. Most contracts are firm fixed-price and do not utilize specific small business set-asides. The primary place of performance is typically at the awardee's research facilities, with a strong concentration in academic and engineering research institutions across the United States.

Recent federal contract opportunities in this PSC category include solicitations from the Maritime Administration (MARAD) seeking comprehensive maritime and environmental research studies. These opportunities focus on topics such as vessel efficiency, fleet energy options, and economic impacts of maritime decarbonization. The Maritime Environmental and Technical Assistance (META) program is sponsoring research projects with budgets up to $500,000, targeting analysis of commercial vessel activities, energy transitions, and environmental technology demonstrations. The opportunities are open to a diverse range of applicants including private entities, nonprofits, state/local governments, tribal organizations, and higher education institutions, with a clear emphasis on supporting maritime sector innovation and sustainability.