Autonomous underwater vehicle

The US Geological Survey seeks an autonomous underwater vehicle with an integrated high-resolution camera and lighting system. Technical requirements include a maximum length of 110 inches, weight of 150 pounds for two-person portability, and ability to operate to depths of 300 meters at speeds up to 5 knots on a 3.0 kWh lithium-ion battery with 18 hours of run time. Proposals are due by September 8, 2023 and must demonstrate how the offered vehicle meets the technical specifications while integrating fiber-optic gyroscope inertial navigation. Award will be made based on technical superiority, with price as a tiebreaker for equal proposals.

There is no set-aside designation for this requirement. Evaluation will consider past performance references, demonstration of meeting technical specifications, and price. The vehicle must be delivered by June 1, 2024 to support geological mapping and research activities. Award value will depend on the proposed solution but funding is expected to be at or below the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000 given the relatively small quantity and short period of performance.