UNSPSC 81171601: Aquatic ecology service

Consulting, advisory, information and research services from tertiary qualified professionals that perform biological assessment studies on water bodies, including sampling, identification, and analysis of phytoplankton, zooplankton, periphyton, aquatic m

UNSPSC 81171601 Aquatic ecology service is a Commodity code under which state and local governments procure specialized environmental field work and monitoring to assess, restore, and manage aquatic systems—including invasive aquatic plant removal, waterway debris clearance, habitat restoration, aquatic plant monitoring, and scientific survey services. The work typically requires expertise in aquatic taxonomy, habitat assessment, equipment operation in water environments, and compliance with environmental permitting and water-quality standards. Issuing bodies span state environmental agencies (departments of natural resources, fish and wildlife commissions, departments of agriculture), counties, soil and water conservation districts, and special-purpose environmental agencies. Florida's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Illinois Department of Natural Resources appear most active, with multiple procurements in the recent record.

Recent opportunities include the Dorchester County, South Carolina obstruction-clearing project on the Ashley River Scenic Blue Trail (IFB, bids due October 21, 2026) requiring waterway debris removal and barge-mounted equipment to restore kayak passage following Tropical Storm Debby; the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Lake Tohopekaliga mechanical harvesting contract (IFB, bids due October 9, 2026, estimated budget $200,000) calling for removal of nuisance aquatic plants including hydrilla and spatterdock from 15 acres with barge-mounted excavators and turbidity monitoring; the Illinois Department of Natural Resources' Ginger Creek hydrilla monitoring contract (2027–2028, proposals due September 9, 2026) spanning 70 acres across multiple waterbodies and requiring rake-toss plant surveys, tuber sampling, and inlet monitoring; and the Collier County, Florida Pelican Bay Clam Bay mangrove restoration project (Quick Quote, responses due May 12, 2026) focused on coastal native plant installation and habitat enhancement. Activity concentrates in Florida, Illinois, Oregon, and South Carolina, with federal funding (FHWA, Great Lakes Restoration, NOAA) underpinning several contracts and triggering Davis-Bacon, environmental compliance, and entity-eligibility certifications. Mandatory site visits, pre-bid conferences, and detailed technical specifications (species identification, decontamination protocols, monitoring methodologies) are standard across solicitations.