R--AUV Support Services (Data Collection)
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 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), under the Department of Commerce, is soliciting proposals for AUV Support Services (Data Collection). This opportunity seeks non-personal services to conduct Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) optical scallop survey missions and deliver collected data for Atlantic sea scallop stock assessment. The acquisition is unrestricted, and proposals are due by April 27, 2026, at 1700 ET.
Scope of Work
The contractor will provide non-personal services including pre-mission communication and preparation for AUVs, delivery of collected data, and conducting AUV optical scallop survey missions with a final report. All services must adhere to the Statement of Work dated April 14, 2026. Key requirements include:
- Deploying and recovering AUVs and associated equipment.
- Providing all necessary plant, trained labor, equipment, materials, supervision, transportation, permits, insurance, and quality control.
- Utilizing a Tethys-class Long Range AUV (LRAUV) integrated with the NEFSC's Autonomous Benthic Imaging System (ABIS).
- Ensuring AUVs are capable of independent navigation, maintaining a stable distance from the seabed (<=2 meters), operating up to 200m water depth, and possessing emergency behaviors.
- AUVs must be deployable/recoverable from dockside facilities and able to communicate underway for status checks and mission revisions.
- A target of 200nm or more of optical AUV data must be acquired, with AUVs maintaining a consistent survey speed of 1-2 kts and demonstrating experience with missions of 5 days or longer on one battery charge.
Contract & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price for all Contract Line Items (CLINs).
- Period of Performance: May 1, 2026, to August 31, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Mid-Atlantic Bight.
- Set-Aside: Unrestricted.
- NAICS Code: 541360 (Engineering Services), Size Standard: $28.5 Million.
- Proposal Due: April 27, 2026, at 1700 ET.
- Published Date: April 23, 2026 (Amendment 01).
Submission & Evaluation
Offers must be submitted via email to grace.lapierre@noaa.gov. Required contents include the solicitation number, offeror's name/address/contact, UEI, EFT indicator, information for evaluation factors (Technical Approach, Price Quote, Past Performance Questionnaire), completed representations/certifications, and a statement of agreement with terms. Bidders must fill out all checkmarks and fill-in provisions in Section XII of the solicitation. Offers will be evaluated based on Technical Approach and Capability, Price, and Past Performance. Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous to the Government.
Additional Notes
The contractor must have demonstrated experience conducting AUV Atlantic sea scallop surveys in the Northeast U.S. Continental Shelf and knowledge of NEFSC AUV-scallop survey efforts, including documented cruise results using the NEFSC ABIS system integrated with a Tethys-class LRAUV. Data must be delivered by July 17, 2026, and a final report by August 31, 2026. The primary contact for this opportunity is Jenna L. Taulman at JENNA.TAULMAN@NOAA.GOV.