UNSPSC 81171500: Marine biology services

Marine biology science is the scientific study of organisms in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of water. It classifies species based on the environment rather than on taxonomy.

UNSPSC 81171500 Marine biology services is a Class code. State and local governments use this code to procure environmental sampling, analysis, and monitoring services tied to coastal protection, water quality compliance, and ecosystem stewardship—work that blends field collection, laboratory testing, and professional reporting. Recent solicitations show procurement of marine debris removal and monitoring, phlebotomy and toxicology testing, water and soil sample analysis, algae identification, hazardous waste characterization, forensic laboratory services, and asbestos or lead risk assessment across multiple matrices. The code spans both specialized analytical work (DNA testing, cyanotoxin analysis in fish tissue, saxitoxin detection in shellfish) and broader environmental consulting (brownfield remediation, site assessments, environmental laboratory oversight). Issuing bodies include state environmental and health departments (Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Oregon Health Authority, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality), county and municipal agencies (Gwinnett County, Columbus Georgia, Collier County, Solano County), city utilities and public works (Sarasota, Salem, Cocoa, Palm Bay, Fort Worth), special districts (Louisville Metro, Lubbock Power & Light), housing authorities, and transit authorities. State police, wildlife agencies, and criminal justice departments also procure forensic and toxicology analysis under the code.

Geographic activity concentrates in Texas (Houston, Austin, Dallas areas), Florida (Sarasota, Cocoa, Orlando, Columbus), Oregon (Salem), and California, with scattered activity in Georgia, Nevada, Colorado, Connecticut, and other states. Recent representative opportunities include the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality's IFB for marine debris removal and monitoring on Round Island (due August 31, 2026), the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's lead sample analysis services IFB (due July 31, 2026), Gwinnett County's comprehensive materials and field testing services IFB (due August 3, 2026), the City of Waco's lead risk assessment RFP (due July 23, 2026), the State of Oregon's statewide environmental analytical laboratory services RFP (due June 1, 2026), and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's laboratory analysis services RFP (due March 23, 2026). Procurement vehicles range across IFB, RFP, RFQ, and sole-source notices. Set-aside requirements appear selectively—HUB and DBE goals in Texas, MBE/WBE participation in some Florida and Louisiana procurements, Section 3 compliance in HUD-funded work. Many solicitations carry no identified set-asides. Contract terms typically run one to five years with renewal options; pricing structures include per-sample unit costs, hourly rates, monthly retainers, and fixed-price task orders. Accreditation mandates (NELAP, NLLAP, ORELAP, ISO 17025, ANAB, A2LA, NVLAP) are standard gatekeepers for laboratory work; field work often requires EPA professional qualifications, state licensing, or certifications in specific methodologies. Insurance minimums range from $1 million to $5 million depending on scope and funding source.