Recording Aerial Extent of Coastal Kelp Canopies

The contract, solicitation number 93-111378, issued by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, engages a sole-source vendor to collect and analyze aerial color-infrared imagery in 2026 to map the extent of coastal kelp canopies, specifically Nereocystis luteana and Macrocystis pyrifera, across a designated survey area stretching from Port Townsend to the Destruction Islands. The primary objective is to maintain continuity in long-term kelp monitoring data, leveraging a proprietary, contractor-developed methodology that has been in consistent use for 36 years and is deemed irreplaceable due to its unique interpretive science and historical data consistency. The contractor, Van Wagenen Robert Farel dba EcoScan Resource Data, Inc., is required to deliver a suite of outputs including digitally enhanced aerial imagery, comprehensive final reports in bound and electronic formats, and geospatial maps in multiple sizes and formats such as .img files on external hard drives, with specific deliverables due by March 15 and May 15, 2027, and full performance concluding by June 30, 2027. The work is considered mission-critical, with a high risk associated with contractor change due to potential data integrity failures and operational disruption, justifying the non-competitive award despite the absence of socioeconomic certifications or small business status from the vendor. The contract is valued at $43,408 with two fixed-price line items: Kelp Long Term Monitoring Map at $30,728 and Kelp in Reserves Map at $12,680, with no option periods or extended cost provisions. Delivery is F.O.B. destination to the DNR’s Olympia location, with inspection and acceptance solely conducted by the department upon receipt. The contractor must comply with a broad set of federal, state, and local laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, confidentiality requirements, anti-trust statutes, and environmental standards such as EPEAT. Special requirements include adherence to site security protocols, prohibition of subcontracting without prior written approval, mandatory registration in the Washington Electronic Business Solution system, and reporting of subcontractor payments through Access Equity. A comprehensive set of non-FAR clauses governs performance, payment, default, and termination, with all invoices to be submitted directly to the DNR Project Manager, Danielle Claar, and no electronic invoicing system specified. The contract underscores the state’s reliance on data continuity over cost, making