Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) Probes in Support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)'s XBT Network

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has issued a Special Notice regarding the procurement of Expendable Bathythermograph (XBT) Probes through a sole source contract with Lockheed Martin Sippican. The notice, posted on March 27, 2025, outlines NOAA's intent to award a firm-fixed price, single source Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The specific procurement is focused on acquiring XBT probes that can measure temperature profiles at various depths while ships are moving at speeds of 20 knots or faster. NOAA has determined that Lockheed Martin Sippican is the sole manufacturer capable of producing probes that meet their strict technical guidelines and requirements. The contract opportunity is not set aside for any specific type of business and falls under the NAICS category of Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing.

Contractors interested in challenging the sole source determination have a narrow window to submit substantiating documentation to the designated point of contact within 15 days of the notice's publication. The government will evaluate any submitted documentation solely to determine whether the procurement should be conducted on a competitive basis, with the ultimate discretion remaining with the government. While this is not a competitive solicitation and no formal solicitation package is available, firms believing they can fully meet NOAA's requirements are invited to provide written documentation demonstrating their capabilities. The procurement is specifically for XBT probes critical to NOAA's scientific research and oceanographic monitoring efforts. Potential contractors should carefully review the technical specifications and understand that the government's decision regarding competitive procurement is final and at its complete discretion.