BOEM Study-Sand, sediments and critical minerals

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management seeks geophysical and geological investigation services to identify offshore sand, sediment, and critical mineral resources along the Outer Continental Shelf off Southwest Florida, with quotations due August 7, 2026 at 5:00 PM EDT. This is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS 541360.

Work is performed in federal waters offshore Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier Counties, Florida, with administrative oversight at BOEM Headquarters in Sterling, Virginia. The contract is Firm-Fixed-Price with a two-year period of performance from August 3, 2026 through August 2, 2028. The Government estimates project value between $1.2 million and $1.6 million based on an independent cost estimate.

Scope includes development of one investigation plan; acquisition of approximately 300 line-miles of geophysical survey data (CHIRP seismic reflection, magnetometer, side-scan sonar, and bathymetric surveys); collection of 75 vibracore samples; laboratory analysis including grain size analysis, critical mineral analysis with XRF and XRD testing, and shear vane testing; and preparation of final reports with data formatted for the Marine Minerals Information System (MMIS) and FGDC/ISO 19115 metadata compliance. All work must comply with BOEM Notification to Lessees 2005-G07, ISO 19901, applicable ASTM standards, and USGS Science Data Lifecycle Model requirements.

Contractor must provide all labor, vessels, equipment, materials, supplies, and services necessary to complete work. Finalized vibracores are stored by the Florida State Geological Survey in Tallahassee. Award will be made to the responsible quoter offering best value, with technical approach and past performance weighted more heavily than price. Quotations must be submitted via email to Jennifer Moreci, Contracting Officer, at Jennifer.Moreci@bsee.gov, and must acknowledge receipt of Amendment 4 (effective July 31, 2026), which clarifies vessel information submission requirements.