GNSS-based tide buoys and moorings

Solicitation Number:141016-26-0058

Notice Type: Sources Sought Synopsis

TITLE: GNSS-based tide buoys and moorings

Response Date: 07/09/2026

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS and is not a presolicitation announcement. The purpose of this Market Research and Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified U.S Domestic businesses, which could include Small Business, HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran owned, Women owned Small Business firms and even large businesses. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis will be used by the Government in making appropriate acquisition decisions.

The NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS), Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) requires two GNSS-based tide buoys and moorings to support critical tidal data collection needs.

BACKGROUND:

NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and

Services (CO-OPS) requires the acquisition of two (2) GNSS-based tide buoys as prototype systems to support critical tidal data collection needs. This acquisition is intended to enhance NOAA's capabilities for coastal surveying, charting updates, and support for PORTSⓇ partners The system addresses the critical need for accurate and reliable GNSS tide data collection in coastal and offshore environments. NOAA requires an easily deployable, cost-effective, and durable tide buoy system to fill current operational gaps and meet the demands of coastal observations and charting programs.

The operational requirements for this GNSS buoy system are:

1. The buoy must be deployable and recoverable from a small vessel with minimal overhead lift capability (weight less than 200 lbs in air) and must not require any preexisting infrastructure at the site of deployment.
2. It must have a rugged design, be able to operate continuously for duration of no less than 60 days with no maintenance visits in harsh marine environments, and be capable of surviving brief periods of submersion.
3. The buoy must include a self-sustaining solar rechargeable power system.
4. For positioning, it must utilize a high-performance, multi-frequency, multi-constellation GNSS receiver engineered for high-precision marine applications.
5. It must include a pitch and roll sensor to actively correct antenna positioning data for wave motion.
6. The buoy must be capable of logging the raw GNSS data for post-processing and calculating real-time Precise Point Positioning (PPP) tides utilizing Marinestar G4+.   
7. The system should be capable of communicating over Iridium Short Burst Data (SBD) for data collection and system status checks.
8. The system must utilize a Web-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) assessable by wi-fi on a Windows based computer for system configuration and the capability to check and confirm system operation following deployment from a nearby vessel, with no cable connection required.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• • Septentrio Asterx-m3 Fg GNSS Receiver
  • Tallysman (Calian) Verostar 6037L Full GNSS Precision Antenna
  • 1100 Molded PU Plastic Hull
  • FreoOceans data module with wi-fi
  • GNSS web GUI
  • Real-time 10-minute mean sea level with Marinestar G4+
  • Pitch and roll sensor for antenna correction
  • 16 GB Flash Memory
  • 4 Panel Solar
  • Sealite SL15 Solar Marine Lantern
  • Stainless steel frame

85 kg buoy with 10kg counter weight, (< 200 lbs) allowing for easy and safe deployment and recovery from small vessel without overhead lift capability

• (Qty – 2) SB IV Mooring
  • Assembled mooring for 40 m water depth 

DELIVERY SCHEDULE

Deliver by December 31, 2026. Earlier delivery preferred and accepted to Chesapeake, VA.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334511 with a size standard of 1,350 employees.

Interested firms shall provide, in writing, a brief narrative (no more than 3 pages in length) and documentation to support your firm's capability and experience meeting the requirements herein and include your firm's name, address, point of contact, telephone number, UEID Number, CCR Cage Number, business type and size, i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, and so forth. Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review your response to determine if your firm has the experience, knowledge and capability to provide the items as specified above.

This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. Nor does this request for information constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise that any procurement action that may be issued for the Government's requirements.

No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise because of the submission of contractor's information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM).

NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded based on responses received to this notice.

Detailed information must be submitted by email to Michelle Walton at michelle.walton@noaa.gov by 2:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), on Thursday, July 9, 2026. Questions of any nature must be addressed in writing as TELEPHONE INQUIRIES WILL NOT BE HONORED.