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 2026–2027 imagery, with capability statements due within ten working days of the July 15, 2026 announcement and an anticipated contract issue date on or after August 14, 2026.

This is a sole-source procurement justified on methodological continuity and specialized expertise. DNR conducted extensive market research reviewing past solicitations back to 2001, internet searches, DES statewide contract databases, WEBS vendor searches, and the Office of Minority and Women Business Enterprises Directory, evaluating 26 potential vendors; none possessed the required expertise in hand-digitizing floating kelp canopies using the proprietary methodology Ecoscan developed and has consistently employed over 36 years. DNR determined that data consistency with the same contractor is critical for program continuity, habitat conservation prioritization, and the state's legal obligation under RCW 79.135.440 to support the Washington Statewide Kelp and Eelgrass Health and Conservation Plan and Puget Sound Partnership's Floating Kelp Bed Area Indicator. The contract cannot be unbundled due to the integrated nature of data collection, analysis, and reporting.

The scope covers two kelp surveys: long-term monitoring along Washington State marine coastline from Port Townsend to the Copalis River including Protection, Tatoosh, and Destruction Islands, and reserves surveys at Cherry Point, Smith and Minor Islands, and Cypress Island. Deliverables include hand-digitized kelp canopy maps for two species (Nereocystis luetkeana and Macrocystis pyrifera), statistical comparisons to surveys from 1990–2026, and output in multiple formats (bound reports, large and standard map sets, digital files in Excel and ERDAS Imagine, and color-infrared scanned images on external drives). Task 1 is due March 15, 2027; Task 2 is due May 15, 2027.

The initial contract term is one year (through June 30, 2027) at $43,408 ($30,728 for Task 1; $12,680 for Task 2), with options for three additional one-year extensions at equal or slightly higher consideration. DNR retains the contract and holds the extension options. The contract is funded through state resources and is not subject to supplier diversity requirements. Required vendor insurance includes commercial general liability, workers compensation, business auto liability, and errors and omissions coverage at $1,000,000 per occurrence/claim with $2,000,000 aggregate.