Wave Gliders
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 DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE has awarded Liquid Robotics, Inc. (CAGE Code 4Y9T1) a Firm-Fixed Price contract valued at $25,000,000 for Wave Gliders (SV6 Unmanned Surface Vehicles) and related equipment. This award, made on February 17, 2026, was justified as a sole-source procurement under FAR 6.302-1.
Scope of Work
This contract procures twenty (20) Liquid Robotics SV6 Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), along with associated control software, payloads, and peripheral launch and recovery equipment. The systems must meet specific requirements outlined in a Technical Requirement Document dated April 18, 2025. The first unit is expected to be delivered within 360 days, with the final unit delivered at 720 days.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Firm-Fixed Price
- Value: $25,000,000
- Award Date: February 17, 2026
- Published: February 18, 2026
- Funding: 3600 RDT&E Appropriations
- Place of Performance: Goulds, FL, United States
Justification for Sole Source
The procurement was justified under FAR 6.302-1 (Only one responsible source). Liquid Robotics, Inc. was identified as the sole manufacturer capable of providing the proprietary and specialized Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) SV6 USV system that meets the agency's technical requirements. The agency currently operates 14 Liquid Robotics USVs, and integrating a different platform would incur significant additional training costs and require costly redesigns for existing specialized payloads. Market research confirmed that other evaluated vendors (Marine Advanced Robotics, Maritime Tactical Systems, Textron, Saronic Technologies, Chase-Hana, Novielli Boat Builders) did not fully meet critical requirements such as endurance, communications, size, or payload integration without requiring developmental projects.
Set-Aside
Not applicable; this was a sole-source award.
Contact Information
For inquiries, contact Kristina B. Brannon at kristina.brannon.1@us.af.mil.