Gliders

PSC Category 1540 encompasses gliders and related oceanographic and aerial sensing equipment. These systems include underwater and surface-based autonomous vehicles designed for scientific research, environmental monitoring, and marine data collection. The equipment typically features advanced sensor technologies such as active sonars, cameras, conductivity temperature depth recorders, and other specialized instrumentation for ecosystem and environmental research.

The federal contract awards in this category demonstrate a range of procurement activities across multiple federal agencies, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Naval Research (ONR), Department of the Navy, and the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Contract values range from approximately $9,850 to $327,780, with performance periods typically spanning several months to around two years. The awards frequently involve small businesses and include both total small business set-asides and unrestricted acquisitions. Contractors like Embedded Ocean Systems, Liquid Robotics, Inc., and Bravura Information Technology Systems Inc. have been recipients of these contracts, with performance locations primarily in California.

The federal contract opportunities in this category focus on specialized underwater and surface gliders for marine research and monitoring purposes. The most recent opportunity, issued by NOAA, seeks two underwater gliders for the Southwest Fisheries Science Center's Ecosystem Science Division, specifically to monitor primary production around offshore wind energy lease areas. The procurement is structured as an 8(a) sole source acquisition under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, with a focus on acquiring advanced sensing equipment for environmental research. The gliders are expected to be equipped with specific scientific sensors, including conductivity temperature depth recorders and photosynthetically available radiation sensors, to support offshore wind monitoring programs.