PC-26-01A, pacific deepwater investigati

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management seeks quotations for the Pacific Deepwater Investigations, Research, and Technology (PAC-DIRT) Study, a firm fixed-price purchase order with an estimated 18-month period of performance, with quotations due July 15, 2026 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time and questions due June 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM Eastern Time. Amendment 1 extended the original July 10 deadline and updated submission contact information.

This is an unrestricted competitive solicitation under FAR Part 12 for commercial products and services. Place of performance is the contractor's facility. The work requires the contractor to increase understanding of how environmental factors influence sediment plume distribution related to seabed mineral mining operations. Primary tasks include overall project planning and management, sediment analyses to characterize grain size distribution and settling velocities, sediment plume modeling using oceanographic data, and synthesis of findings into a final report with technical summary for decision-makers. Key deliverables include a detailed study plan, quarterly progress reports, draft and final reports, data submissions with geodatabases and metadata, journal publications, oral presentations, and scientific communication products.

The contractor must provide a Project Manager with sufficient authority and demonstrate expertise in fluid dynamics, physical oceanography, and deep-sea sediments. Payment is made upon delivery and government acceptance of milestone deliverables. Technical evaluation criteria—scientific and technical personnel qualifications, understanding and technical approach, project management capability, and past performance—are weighted equally and take precedence over price. NAICS code is 541620, Environmental Consulting Services, with a small business size standard of $19 million. Quotations must be submitted via email to michelle_potter@ios.doi.gov and caroline_laikin-credno@ios.doi.gov in two separate volumes (Price and Technical) in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and/or Microsoft Excel formats. Offerors must acknowledge receipt of Amendment 1 prior to submission.