20--ACOUSTIC RELEASES & EQUIPMENT
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has issued a Notice of Intent to negotiate a sole source purchase order with Innovasea Systems, Inc. for Acoustic Releases and associated equipment. This procurement is justified by the proprietary nature and essential compatibility of Innovasea's products with the existing USGS acoustic telemetry network. Responses from responsible parties are due March 26, 2026, at 1500 hours Pacific Time.
Purpose
The USGS intends to acquire Innovasea Ascent AR Acoustic Release systems and proprietary transponding equipment (VR100, VHTx Transponding Hydrophone, Release Lugs, and Magnetic Activation Probe). This equipment is critical for ongoing, long-term, federally funded fisheries studies, particularly for evaluating juvenile salmon behavior and survival in the Upper Yakima Basin, and for remote retrieval of acoustic telemetry data.
Scope of Work & Key Requirements
The required equipment includes:
- Acoustic Releases (Quantity: 7): Waterproof to 400m, 2-year battery life, 200 lbs safe workload, real-time communication (battery, tilt, temp, depth), Bluetooth, built-in temp/depth sensors, 81 kHz frequency, 1-year warranty.
- Surface Transponder (Quantity: 1): Compatible with acoustic releases, 12-307 kHz receive range, AC/DC power, 0-30°C operation, USB PC communication, splash-resistant.
- 69kHz Transponding Hydrophone (Quantity: 1): Communicates with releases/receivers, identifies tagged animals, 51-84kHz operating frequency.
- Release Lugs (Quantity: 80): Expendable, easily replaceable, mooring hole, copper shaft for biofouling reduction.
All items must be fully interoperable with existing USGS Innovasea VR100 and VHTx 69kHz Transponding Hydrophone systems.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Special Notice (Notice of Intent to Sole Source a Purchase Order)
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source Justification)
- Response Due: March 26, 2026, 1500 hours Pacific Time
- Published: March 16, 2026
- NAICS: 334511 Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- PSC: 2060 Commercial Fishing Equipment
Evaluation
This is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a quotation for agency consideration. A determination not to compete this action based on responses received is at the Government's sole discretion.
Additional Notes
The justification for sole sourcing Innovasea Systems, Inc. is based on the proprietary communication protocols and embedded software codes of their VR100 platform and deployed field hardware. These are integral to equipment already deployed, and no other manufacturer's release system can be operated or integrated without full system replacement. Future requirements are planned to be competed.