RFQ_140G0126Q0302_Instructions_to_the_vendor.pdf

140G0126Q0302 - RFQ

INSTRUCTION TO VENDORS

A discounted firm-fixed-priced quotation and technical quotation package for a Norbit Winghead X series Multibeam Echo Sounder with PORTUS universal, transportable gunnel mounting system Brand Name or Equal (per requirements below) shall be submitted by 9:00 AM Eastern, Monday, September 21th, 2026 via email to the Contract Specialist, Patrick Anderson, at patrick_anderson@ios.doi.gov. Faxed or mailed quotations will not be accepted. Vendor shall supply the USGS with a thorough quotation package demonstrating how they meet all requirements within the evaluation criteria. Quotation package shall be thorough enough to allow the USGS to perform a proper evaluation.

Please include the solicitation number in all email correspondence

The following additional information must be supplied along with your quotation. Failure to submit this information may deem your quotation non-responsive and your quotation may not be considered.

1) Vendor must submit a quotation package which will be reviewed by the Contract Specialist and USGS Technical Liaison. The quotation package must reflect all of the requirements as indicated in the Request For Quote (RFQ).

2) Business Size Classification.

3) UEI Number and must be registered in SAM.gov.

4) Signed SF-18 and all amendments.

The award resulting from this Request for Quote (RFQ) will be based on lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA).

All questions regarding this RFQ shall be sent to the Contract Specialist via email no later than 9:00 AM Eastern, Friday September 18th, 2026. Vendors are urged to select one (1) representative from their firm to present all questions.

Phone calls and late questions will not be accepted.

(End of Instructions)

Statement of Need Article 1 – General:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Columbia Environmental Research Center (CERC) requires the procurement of a replacement high-resolution, multibeam sonar system and customizable, universal watercraft mount for surveys of inland lakes, rivers, and streams. The existing system has reached the limit of its expected service life. This multibeam survey system is critical for intensive, high-resolution habitat surveys and hydraulic modelling supporting ongoing research addressing USGS and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers priorities for endangered species habitat management, USGS priorities for managing invasive species habitats, and the assessment of navigable waterways to protect commerce, property, and life.

The USGS CERC is engaged in cooperative studies involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers providing science to support recovery and delisting of the endangered pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus). CERC is also involved in multi-agency funded projects in support of identification of critical habitats used by invasive carp such as grass carp (Ctenopharynodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis), bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) which threaten the economic vitality of the waters of the Mississippi River Basin and Great Lakes. Understanding habitats function and process in large river systems requires characterizing river habitats at scales directly relevant to the fish, its prey species, and benthic substrates. High-resolution mapping of bottom features using multibeam sonar is necessary to assess habitats for fish and macro-invertebrate communities, and to relate populations of aquatic organisms and ecological processes to dynamic river processes. High-resolution multibeam sonar provides fundamental information for understanding sediment transport and hydraulics in large rivers. This data is critical for managing and restoring rivers. USGS is dependent on multibeam sonar technology, and it is imperative that scientific sonar systems implementation of a multibeam bathymetric system would contribute greatly to broad understanding of ecological management and restoration activities.

mailto:patrick_anderson@ios.doi.gov.

Article II – Work to be performed by the Contractor:

The Contractor shall provide:

1) A high-resolution multibeam system including transducer, cables and topside unit.

2) The multibeam system must meet USGS requirements with a minimum of 512 beams and the resolution must be 0.5° x

0.9° at a frequency of 400 kHz and 0.3° x 0.5° at a frequency of 700 kHz across and along the beam footprint, or better.

3) The system must be equipped with an integrated global navigations satellite system (GNSS) with an inertial navigation

(INS) with active roll, pitch and yaw stabilization.

4) The multibeam sonar instrument must be equipped with a sound velocity probe or sensor for real-time temperature compensation of sound velocity.

5) The multibeam system will include all necessary software and firmware for data collection and communication.

6) The multibeam sonar system must be lightweight, portable, and able to be rapidly mounted to a wide range of vessels types and vessels of opportunity, and operable in a wide range of freshwater systems.

7) The multibeam system will include a universal, transportable gunnel mounting system to deploy and support the multibeam transducer.

8) The contractor will provide multi-day, manufactured-certified onsite training sufficient to train USGS technicians in installation, deployment, data collection, and survey processing.

Article III – Deliverables:

The contractor will deliver to the USGS one portable, high-resolution sonar unit with integrated GNSS and INS with a real-time sound velocity compensation sensor. The unit will be supplied with a portable universal mount capable of mounting to the gunnel of most small (< 26 feet total length) freshwater research vessels. Multi-day training certifying USGS technicians in installation, deployment, data collection and processing using the contractor-supplied unit will be provided at an arranged time upon receipt within 120 days of delivery.

Article IV – Technical Liaison:

A. The Technical Liaison will be available to discuss any technical matters and will serve as the contact point for all services specified in this order.

B. The Technical Liaison assigned to this order is:

TBA

Article V – Period of Performance

Upon signed receipt of the signed purchase order, the contractor shall begin to comply with the deliverable items listed in Article II and Article III. The multibeam sonar system will be delivered to the U.S. Geological Survey within 90 days.

Certified training will be arranged with recipient upon delivery of the equipment.

Salient Characteristics for Brand Name Norbit Winghead X series Multibeam Echo Sounder with PORTUS universal, transportable gunnel mounting system or Equal

The multibeam echosounder shall have the following specifications:

Qty 1 – High-resolution multibeam sonar system with transducer and cables meeting following specification

• Transducer a curved sonar array with a minimum of 512 beams

• Resolution of 0.5°X 0.9° (across x along) track beam width at 400kHz

• Resolution of 0.3°X 0.5° (across x along) track beam width at 700kHz

• Capable of defining specific sounding density in equi-distant or equi-angle beam mode

• Must possess an adaptive ping rate up to 60Hz.

• The system must be able to operate reliably within IHO shallow water special order >155°

• System should have a tightly integrated GNSS Inertial Motion System with 0.2° heading accuracy and 0.01° pitch/roll accuracy (or better).

• System must be able to achieve 10 mm or better depth resolution

• System must output bathymetry and backscatter (with intensity, sidescan, snippets, and water column) results.

• System should have data collection software and real-time point cloud visualization.

• System should have an integrated and replaceable Sound Velocity Probe

• Total weight of sonar head and bracket must weigh less than 7.5 kg in the water (16.5 pounds)

• Sonar processor must be waterproof/resistant (IP67 compliant) Qty 1 – Lightweight carbon fiber pole ready for mounting on a vessel with a 2 m antenna mount spread and LiDAR mounting plate.

Qty 1 – Multi-day, onsite, comprehensive, manufacturer-certified training in sonar use, sonar theory, system installation, acquisition, and processing.

(End of Requirement / Salient Characteristics)