Foundation For Marine Ecology And Telemetry Research

Foundation For Marine Ecology And Telemetry Research, doing business as Metr, is a non-profit organization registered in Seabeck, Washington that specializes in marine mammal research and environmental consulting services. The organization provides highly specialized scientific services focused on marine ecology, telemetry research, and environmental assessment, primarily serving federal agencies in the maritime and defense sectors. Metr has established itself as a key contractor for agencies like the Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), offering advanced research capabilities in marine mammal studies and environmental compliance.

Through federal contract awards, Metr has consistently provided marine mammal survey services, with a specific focus on behavioral observations, tagging operations, and biopsy sample collection. The organization has received multiple delivery order contracts from Naval Sea Systems Command, ranging from $52,755 to $753,821, primarily targeting marine mammal research in the Seabeck, Washington area. These contracts are not set aside for specific business types and involve detailed research on cetaceans, particularly beaked whales, to support naval environmental compliance and technology development efforts. Metr has worked directly with naval agencies to conduct comprehensive marine mammal surveys, assess population dynamics, and study marine species' responses to naval activities such as sonar use.

Metr's federal grant awards demonstrate a robust portfolio of marine mammal research projects funded predominantly by the Office of Naval Research and NOAA. The organization has received multiple project grants and cooperative agreements focused on advanced scientific investigations, including developing new satellite tagging technologies for cetaceans, studying population structures of specific whale species like fin whales, and conducting comprehensive assessments of Cuvier's beaked whale demographics and behaviors. These grants range from developing miniaturized satellite tags to performing multi-regional comparative assessments of whale vital rates, with award amounts and performance periods varying from short-term studies to long-term research initiatives extending through 2029.

The organization holds a significant Indefinite Delivery Contract (IDC) with Naval Sea Systems Command, valued at $1,669,475.68 and running through February 2027. This single-award IDC allows NAVSEA to efficiently procure Metr's specialized environmental research and consulting services, with multiple firm-fixed-price delivery orders issued under the contract. The IDC supports marine mammal survey services, enabling the Navy to conduct behavioral observations, tagging operations, and research activities focused on studying cetaceans in specific geographic regions. Through this contract vehicle, Metr has demonstrated its capacity to provide on-demand, specialized marine research services that support naval environmental compliance and technological development initiatives.