Recording Aerial Extent of Coastal Kelp Canopies

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is announcing a sole-source contract award to Van Wagenen Robert Farel dba Ecoscan Resource Data, Inc. for recording the aerial extent of coastal kelp canopies from 2026 imagery, with capability statements due July 29, 2026 and contract execution anticipated on or after August 14, 2026. This is a sole-source procurement with no competitive opportunity; DNR's market research spanning 2001 to present found no alternative vendor capable of meeting the specialized requirements.

The scope requires aerial imagery collection and hand-digitization mapping of two floating kelp species (Nereocystis luetkeana and Macrocystis pyrifera) across the Washington marine coastline from Port Townsend to the Copalis River, including Protection, Tatoosh, and Destruction Islands, plus DNR Aquatic Reserves at Cherry Point, Smith and Minor Islands, and Cypress Island. Deliverables include indexed digital aerial imagery, final reports with canopy area maps in multiple formats, electronic data files in ERDAS Imagine format and Excel spreadsheets, and high-resolution scanned color-infrared photo images on external hard drives. Task 1 deliverables are due March 15, 2027; Task 2 by May 15, 2027.

The contract value is $43,408 for the initial one-year term (Task 1: $30,728; Task 2: $12,680), with DNR retaining the option to extend for three additional one-year increments at equal or slightly higher annual consideration. The contract period runs through June 30, 2027. The sole-source determination rests on the contractor's 36 years of specialized hand-digitization experience with proprietary methodologies developed in-house, continuity essential for maintaining data consistency across three decades of historical surveys required under RCW 79.135.440 and the Puget Sound Partnership Vital Signs program. Pricing has remained stable, changing less than 10% since initial engagement. The contractor must maintain commercial general liability, employer's liability, business auto, errors and omissions, and workers' compensation insurance at $1 million per occurrence or claim. All deliverables are works for hire owned by DNR. Contact: Danielle Claar, 360-902-1030, Danielle.claar@dnr.wa.gov.