Critical minerals geospatial portal development

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) within the Department of the Interior is seeking to procure development and maintenance services for the Critical Minerals Geospatial Portal, specifically the Data Basin Gateway system. The primary requirement is to maintain the existing Guam gateway while developing new geospatial portals for the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands and American Samoa to support marine spatial planning initiatives. Key deliverables include ongoing operation and maintenance of Data Basin servers, website updates, creation of new portal websites for the two additional jurisdictions, and assistance in generating new datasets that will provide consolidated access to ocean data including information on fishing grounds, recreational areas, shipping lanes, habitat zones, and energy sites. The government has indicated its intent to award this contract on a sole source basis under FAR 6.302-1, determining that no other entity provides the unique integrated services that Data Basin offers; however, the government is accepting capability statements or quotations from any firm believing itself capable of meeting the requirements to determine whether competition is warranted. The submission deadline for capability statements or quotations is 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time on April 17, 2026, and responses should be submitted via email to caroline_laikin-credno@ios.doi.gov with notice ID 140M0126Q0015 on the subject line.

The Conservation Biology Institute (CBI) located in Corvallis, Oregon, is identified as the potential incumbent and the intended sole source awardee for this requirement. No set-aside designations apply to this procurement. The contract period of performance is four years, consisting of a 12-month base period followed by three 12-month option periods, with all work to be performed at the contractor's facility. While no specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the pre-solicitation notice, the four-year contract structure with multiple option periods suggests a substantial, multi-year commitment. The government's decision to proceed with a sole source award or transition to open competition remains entirely within its discretion following the evaluation of any capability statements or quotations received by the April 17 deadline.