Lease and upgrade of sensors for current Buoy

The Naval Supply Systems Command is seeking to procure a 12-month lease for an Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) Next Gen Power Buoy currently located at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, along with required sensor upgrades. This procurement supports maritime research and innovation objectives by equipping the buoy with a Maritime Domain Awareness System featuring Furuno radar, Bosch camera, and integrated AIS for continuous 24/7 offshore monitoring capabilities. The buoy will provide vessel tracking, meteorological and oceanographic data collection, and support research missions while operating on solar and wind power generation systems. The government has issued this as a Request for Information and Special Notice indicating intent to award on a sole source basis to Ocean Power Technologies, citing significant prior investments by AT&T through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement and existing hardware integration. Interested parties must submit capability statements by July 18, 2025, including company details, CAGE Code, Unique Entity ID, NAICS Code 532411, and business size certification.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 532411 for Commercial Air, Rail, and Water Transportation Equipment Rental and Leasing. Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. is identified as the intended sole source contractor based on their ownership of the buoy platform and existing integration with AT&T hardware through previous CRADA investments. The contract structure includes a 12-month base period with two additional 12-month option periods, potentially extending the lease to 36 months total. The buoy will be deployed in Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary with a three-point mooring system and requires NOAA Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Office approval for deployment. Key deliverables include providing a Graphic User Interface for NPS faculty and student access to sensor data, participating in monthly project updates, and submitting quarterly reports to NOAA. The government emphasizes that selecting any other vendor would set the project back by years and potentially cause mission failure, justifying the sole source approach as cost-effective compared to purchasing a new buoy system.