NORBIT WINGHEAD X ELITE MULTIBEAM ECHO SOUNDER
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 sole source purchase order to NORBIT US, LTD for a NORBIT WINGHEAD X ELITE MULTIBEAM ECHO SOUNDER. This system is required for rapid, portable hydrographic surveying in remote and inaccessible areas, crucial for navigation safety and disaster response. Responses from interested parties are due within 15 days of publication (approx. May 6, 2026).
Scope of Work
NOAA's Navigation Response Branch (NRB) requires a fully-integrated, highly-portable, and rapidly-deployable multibeam surveying suite. This system will be used on vessels of opportunity to conduct navigation response surveys in areas inaccessible to traditional vessels, such as the Caribbean, Pacific Islands, and Alaska. Key operational requirements include:
- Portability: Must be hand-portable by two people and checkable on commercial flights.
- Integration: Must include all components (multibeam sonar, inertial navigation system, surface sound velocity probe, GNSS antennas, pole mount, hardware).
- Performance: Data must meet or exceed NOAA's "Exceptional" hydrographic quality specification.
- Deployment: Mobilization from packaged to deployed within 1.5 hours using simple hand tools.
- Turn-key: System must be delivered ready for deployment and capable of collecting data at 8 knots.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Presolicitation (Intended Sole Source Purchase Order)
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source)
- NAICS Code: 334511 (Underwater Sound Equipment)
- Product Service Code: 5845 (Underwater Sound Equipment)
- Delivery: Within 30 days from date of award.
- Published: April 21, 2026
- Response Due: Within 15 days of publication (approx. May 6, 2026)
Sole Source Justification & Market Research
NOAA intends to award this on a sole source basis to NORBIT US, LTD because they are the sole authorized reseller of NORBIT branded equipment in the United States, with no authorized partners or resellers. Market research indicated that the NORBIT WINGHEAD product line with the NORBIT PORTUS POLE is the only system that meets all specified requirements, particularly due to the unique, lightweight carbon-fiber mounting pole. While other expeditionary kits exist, none meet the combined requirements for weight, portability, ease-of-use, and data quality in a turn-key system.
Action Items
This is a presolicitation notice and not a request for competitive proposals. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation or a request for additional information in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication. The government will evaluate these submissions to determine if a competitive procurement is feasible. Oral communications are not accepted.