global class research vessel to launch ROV

The U.S. Geological Survey Office of Acquisitions and Grants seeks the lease or rental of a regional or global class research vessel to support seafloor geodetic benchmark operations, with quotations due August 20, 2026 at 1700 Pacific Daylight Time and questions due August 14.

This is an open and full competition procurement with no set-aside, using commercial item acquisition procedures under FAR Part 12. The vessel must be the R/V Revelle or equivalent regional or global class U.S. research vessel capable of launching ROV Jason or similar equipment operated by the National Deep Submergence Facility. Required specifications include a heavy-lift overboard handling system (crane, A-frame, or winch) for launching ROV Jason; a dedicated Jason control van with pilot, engineer, navigator, and science stations; a data center for real-time video, sonar, and sensor data compatible with ROV Jason; and dynamic positioning capability for operations in water depths exceeding 3,000 meters. Work is performed offshore northern California in the Cascadia subduction zone at approximately 3,100 meters water depth, with performance running September 1, 2026 through December 20, 2027. The NAICS code is 532411 (Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing) with a size standard of $45.5 million. Quotations must be submitted as firm, fixed-price offers in U.S. dollars. Evaluation criteria include meeting all Statement of Work requirements, experience with scientific work, workspace accommodations, equipment deployment methods, and operational capability on similar platforms. Interested parties must be registered in SAM with a current UEI number. The contracting office is USGS Pacific Coastal & Marine in Santa Cruz, California.