PMEL SeaTrac USV System

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office (AGO), Western Acquisition Division-Boulder (WAD), Pacific Marine Environmental Lab (PMEL), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with SeaTrac Systems, Inc. located in Marblehead, MA for SeaTrac USV system to be deployed research sites spanning from the Bering Sea to the tropics.

The sole source determination is based on NOAA’s requirement that SeaTrac Systems, Inc. is the only vendor that manufactures and distributes this type of modified/custom USV system. SeaTrac is the only reliable uncrewed surface vehicle of its class with WING modifications that have been reviewed and approved by PMEL scientists and engineers to meet NOAA’s operational and research standards. PMEL engineers and scientists have collaborated with SeaTrac engineers to modify a system to meet PMEL scientific needs.

This system is unique and specialized for PMEL purposes. Other USV platforms will not work for various reasons like limited field testing, no winch design, cannot integrate PMEL sensors and/or TELOS, and are not approved by PMEL engineers. Delivery within 90 days from date of award.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.