NOAA Fisheries Special Notice of Intent to a Single Source-Echoview Software Maintenance
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), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC), intends to award a sole source, firm fixed-price contract to Echoview Software PTY LTD. for Echoview software Maintenance and Technical Support (MATS). This notice is an intent to single source, not a request for competitive proposals. Firms believing they can meet the requirements may submit documentation by July 1, 2026, at 5pm Eastern Time.
Scope of Work
NOAA/AFSC requires MATS for existing Echoview software licenses (AFSC-1, AFSC-2, AFSC-3, AFSC-3A, AFSC-4, AFSC-9, and EV0245). This software is essential for processing hydroacoustic trawl survey data in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea, supporting the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. It is also critical for researching new technologies to improve survey accuracy and efficiency.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm Fixed-Price (Sole Source)
- Set-Aside: None specified (Sole Source)
- Response Due: July 1, 2026, 5pm ET
- Published: June 16, 2026
- Place of Performance: Seattle, WA
Justification for Sole Source
The government's determination for a sole source award is based on the following:
- Industry Standard: Echoview is considered the de facto industry standard for post-processing hydroacoustic data in fisheries research and management.
- Market Exclusivity: No comparable commercial products exist; historical alternatives are no longer supported.
- Limitations of Alternatives: Open-source applications lack comprehensive features, reliable professional support, and their development priorities often diverge from NOAA's mission.
- Compatibility & Expertise: AFSC scientists have extensive experience with Echoview, and transitioning to another application would hinder productivity and incur significant retraining costs. Echoview Pty Ltd owns the intellectual property and source code, making them the only entity capable of providing necessary fixes and feature additions.
Action for Interested Parties
This is not a request for competitive proposals. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing. Responses will be evaluated solely to determine if this procurement can be conducted on a competitive basis. Submissions should be emailed to Christie.Lang@noaa.gov by the due date. Oral communications are not acceptable.