NOAA: 3m VE Foam Buoy Hulls
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) intends to award a firm-fixed price contract for 3m VE Foam Buoy Hulls for the National Data Buoy Center at Stennis Space Center, MS. This requirement is a Total Small Business Set-Aside. Quotes are due by April 11, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST.
Scope of Work
This solicitation seeks the fabrication and delivery of ionomer foam buoy hulls to serve as equipment platforms for collecting meteorological and oceanographic data for the NDBC Weather Buoy Program. The scope includes providing all necessary labor, materials, equipment, facilities, and services. Buoys must be manufactured from specified ionomer foam resins (9720, 9721, 7020, or 7030) with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) hardware. Fabrication involves extruding colored sheets (4.4-4.6 pcf density, 1/8"-3/8" thick), spirally wrapping, and heat sealing, with a protective outer skin (30 pcf density, 1/4"-5/16" thick). The color must be FED-STD-595, yellow 13655, maintaining colorfastness for at least 8 years.
Performance Requirements
Hulls must meet specific standards including:
- Density: 4.0 +/- 0.5 pcf.
- Tensile Strength: Vertical - 150.0 psi min, Horizontal - 75.0 psi min, Radial - 90.0 psi min.
- Tear Strength: Vertical - 35.0 psi min, Horizontal - 20.0 psi min, Radial - 45.0 psi min.
- Compression Set: 25.0% max.
- Hardness (outer skin): 60 +/- 5 (ASTM D2240).
- Water Absorption: 15.0% max.
- UV Stabilization: Minimum 8 years of protection.
- Impact Resistance: Must withstand specified test without permanent damage.
- Colorfastness: Must remain within specified chromaticity regions after testing.
Contract Details
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price.
- Set-Aside: Total Small Business Set-Aside (100% for small business concerns).
- NAICS Code: 326199 (All Other Plastics Product Manufacturing).
- SAM Registration: Active registration in SAM.gov is required at the time of quote submission, during performance, and through final payment.
- First Article Test: A first article test is required for one unit of the buoy hull at the contractor's expense, though the government reserves the right to waive this if the awarded contractor has successfully completed a similar project previously.
- Quality Assurance: A quality assurance program conforming to ASQ Q9002 is required, along with material certifications.
Submission & Evaluation
Quotes must be submitted electronically via email to nikki.smith@noaa.gov. Evaluation will be based on specifications and past performance, with the award going to the responsible offeror providing the best value (lowest evaluated price meeting or exceeding non-cost factor acceptability standards). Offerors must provide at least two (and no more than three) past performance references. Required submission items include completed forms, UEI, contractor representations, conflict of interest statements, past performance references, lead time, and manufacturing location. Failure to respond to all requested items may result in non-compliance.
Key Dates
- Questions Due: Within five (5) days of solicitation issuance.
- Quotes Due: April 11, 2026, at 12:00 PM EST.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact NIKKI SMITH at nikki.smith@noaa.gov or 757-605-1267.