AXIB II - Airborne Expendable ice Beacon (Arctic Buoys)
Closed Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- N0018925R0049
- Agency
-
Naval Supply Systems Command
Department of the Navy, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334513 Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables
- PSC
- 2050 Buoys
- Place of performance
- Seattle, Washington 98105, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk intends to award a sole source contract to LBI Inc. for eighteen Airborne Expendable Ice Beacon (AXIB-II) Arctic buoys to support the U.S. Interagency Arctic Buoy Program. The Fleet Weather Center Norfolk requires these specialized weather monitoring devices, which must feature vinylester fiberglass hulls with steel ballast rods, air pressure and temperature sensors, Iridium satellite data transmission capabilities, and GPS positioning systems capable of surviving at least two years in temperatures as low as -40°C. Ten units must be certified for air deployment from Coast Guard C-130 aircraft, with all buoys designed to withstand harsh Arctic conditions for multiple seasons of weather data collection. This procurement falls under NAICS code 334513 and is justified as sole source because LBI Inc. holds the patent on AXIB-II technology and demonstrated unique capabilities through a Sources Sought Notice that received zero responses. The solicitation was posted on September 10, 2025, with a response deadline of September 12, 2025, and questions should be directed to Contract Specialist Seth Harrell or Contracting Officer Robert Babcock.
This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designation despite being awarded to LBI Inc., which is identified as a small business and the current contractor holding the patent for AXIB-II buoys. The contract requires delivery within 20 weeks after award (90 days per the sole source justification), with funding provided through FY25 Navy Operations & Maintenance appropriations, though specific award values are not disclosed in the available documentation. The eighteen buoys will be delivered to the Naval Ice Center at the University of Washington's Polar Science Center in Seattle, Washington, where they will be managed by Dr. Ignatius Rigor for deployment in Arctic and Southern Ocean research operations. The buoys will support scientific research to enhance understanding of seasonal ice zones and provide critical weather data from some of the world's most remote and challenging environments.
Notice text
The Contracting Department, NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, VA, 23511-3392 intends to award a sole source contract for Airborne Expendable Ice Beacon (Arctic Buoys). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334513. The resulting contract will be procured from LBI Inc. Fleet Weather Center Norfolk has a requirement to purchase eighteen (18) Arctic Buoys with delivery 20 weeks ADC. See the attached Sole Source Justification for additional information regarding the Sole Source determination. The notice of intent is NOT a request for proposal, or bid that shall be considered by the NAVSUP FLCN Contracting Office. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed action based responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Address questions to Seth Harrell, Contract Specialist at robert.s.harrell15.civ@us.navy.mil and Robert Babcock, Contracting Officer at robert.j.babcock25.civ@us.navy.mil
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| N0018925Q0536.pdf | ||
| Sole Source Justification Redacted.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Solicitation | |
| AXIB II - Airborne Expendable ice Beacon (Arctic Buoys) | Pre-Solicitation | |
| AXIB II - Airborne Expendable ice Beacon (Arctic Buoys) | Pre-Solicitation |
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