Natural Resources And Environment R&D Services; Conservation And Land Management; Basic Research

PSC Category AH21 encompasses natural resources and environment research and development services, focusing on conservation, land management, and basic research. This category supports scientific investigations and technical services related to environmental systems, ecological preservation, and foundational scientific inquiries. The services typically involve advanced research methodologies, data collection, analysis, and technology development in environmental and ecological domains.

The federal contract awards in this category demonstrate a robust pattern of research and development contracts, primarily from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Department of the Interior. Contract values range from under $10,000 to over $7 million, with typical durations spanning 6-36 months. Frequently awarded entities include academic institutions like the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), University of Colorado Boulder, and University of Maine System, as well as environmental research firms such as Horsley Witten Group and Environmental Quality, Inc. Most contracts are not set aside, though some utilize total small business or woman-owned small business designations. Performance locations are predominantly in western and southeastern U.S. states, with a strong concentration in Colorado, Florida, and Massachusetts.

The sole federal contract opportunity posted for this PSC category is a special notice from NOAA intending to sole source a contract with the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR/NCAR). The opportunity seeks to establish a direct contract support mechanism for comprehensive research activities across multiple scientific domains, including atmospheric modeling, observational studies, computational systems, data processing, and technology transfer. The contract aims to advance NOAA's mission by improving forecast models, understanding environmental changes, and sharing scientific knowledge across sectors such as agriculture, aviation, human health, transportation, renewable energy, and water resources.