Oceanographic Surface Drifting Buoys

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To provide oceanographic surface drifting buoys capable of operating remotely in the ocean environment and collecting ocean surface temperature data. The drifters must be free-drifting and un-propelled, governed solely by environmental forces.

• Provide free-drifting, un-propelled oceanographic surface drifting buoys.

• Minimum capability: collect ocean surface temperature data.

• Optional capabilities: subsurface measurements (e.g., CTD, ADCP), bioluminescence, acoustics, echosounders, optics, pressure, and wave spectra.

• Instruments must meet an 18-month shelf life before battery replacement or sensor recalibration.

• Deployment methods include surface vessel and airborne.

• Offerors must identify instrument modularity for adding/excluding sensor packages and show multiple configurations.

• Provide specifications for deployment lifecycle, power system discharge rates, and sensor degradation due to biofouling or wear.

• Provide instrument encoders/decoders and technical documentation for data conversion to government-specified formats.

• Offerors must be able to operate the device independently of the manufacturer.

• Instrument Data Integration Services: Develop APIs, data formatting scripts, and interfaces for data ingest.

• Calibration Services: Return sensors to original specifications.

• Maintenance Services: Repair or replacement of defective instruments prior to deployment.

• Steerability: Must be completely non-steerable and un-propelled.

• Secure Communications & Modems: Must utilize DISA-approved modems and transceivers, comply with DoW cybersecurity requirements, and ensure government-specified encryption for non-public data.

• Air Deployment Hardening: Withstand 500-10,000 feet altitude and 300 knots airspeed; parachutes/coverings must survive deployment forces; instrument must be fully operational upon reaching the ocean surface.

• Vessel Deployment Hardening: Withstand 1-60 feet above sea level at vessel speeds up to 25 knots.

• Power System Longevity: Minimum 180 days operational longevity for standard temperature measurements and hourly data transmission. Longevity for other sensors is subject to power draw. Offerors must describe expected longevity for all configurations.

• Sensor Specifications: Specific ranges and accuracies are defined for Conductivity, Temperature, and Barometric Pressure sensors. For ADCP, Bioluminescence, Wave Spectra, Acoustic, and Echosounder sensors, offerors must provide detailed technical specifications including detection range, resolution, accuracy, sampling frequency, and data output format.

• Ordering Period: 24-month base period.

• Specific delivery dates, quantities, and sensor configurations will be defined in individual Delivery Orders.

• Data Encryption: Meet current DoW encryption standards for CUI and mission data.

• Supply Chain Security: Communications hardware and internal electronics must comply with DoW supply chain risk management protocols, excluding prohibited foreign-manufactured equipment.

• Quality Assurance: Performance evaluated based on Delivery of Instruments, Instrument Functionality, Data Transmission & Security, and Sensor Specifications, with specific standards and surveillance methods outlined in the QASP.

Sources Sought Notice / Request for Information (RFI)

This notice seeks information from potential sources for an anticipated Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract to provide oceanographic surface drifting buoys. These buoys are intended for remote operation in the ocean environment and will support the Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334513 – Buoyancy instruments, industrial process-type, manufacturing.

This is not a solicitation for proposals, and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. It is for planning purposes only. The government will not pay for information submitted and will not notify respondents of the results.

Responses should reference "N0018926Buoys – Oceanographic Surface Drifting Buoys" and include:

• Company name, address, point of contact, phone number, and email.

• Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) Code.

• Business size (Large, Small, Small Disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned).

• Capability Statement demonstrating ability to meet minimum requirements, including past performance on similar work within the last five years (include contract numbers, dollar value, and period of performance).

• Any questions or concerns.

• Other supporting documentation.

• Submissions must not exceed ten (10) pages.

• A 12-point font must be used.

• Responses must be emailed to Ms. Stephanie Lent (stephanie.r.lent.civ@us.navy.mil) and Mr. Joseph Caltagirone (joseph.p.caltagirone3.civ@us.navy.mil).

• Deadline: 1100 EST on May 27, 2026.

• Attachment I - Draft Statement of Work (SOW)