RBRtridente three-channel fluorescence and backscatter optical sensor

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT.  IT IS NOT A SOLICITATION, NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE A SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED.  REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

Any information submitted in response to this Sources Sought Announcement is strictly voluntary.  The Government will neither award a contract solely based on this notice, nor pay for any information submitted by respondents.  This notice is a request by the Government to collect information from interested vendors for the purpose of market research.  Failing to provide a response to this announcement will not prohibit/exclude an interested vendor from participating in a future solicitation.

Background:

PIFSC seeks to procure an RBRtridente three-channel fluorescence and backscatter optical sensor modified and for in-house integration into recently procured Seaglider SGX platforms.

The Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) has recently invested in a Seaglider uncrewed profiling glider systems to support ecosystem survey operations. Autonomous oceanographic sampling platforms can increase the temporal and geographic scope of critical ecosystem sampling operations that are required to characterize and monitor the pelagic ecosystem. Critical sensor systems- optical and dissolved oxygen- were not procured with the Seaglider vehicles and are needed to maximize sampling of critical ecosystem components. Assessment of chlorophyll-a fluorescence, dissolved organic matter concentration, backscatter, and dissolved oxygen concentrations will allow us to further constrain estimates of the distribution and composition of pelagic communities and support ecosystem model assessment and parameterization. Continued testing and near-term operations require critical supplies.

PIFSC provides scientific information for conserving and managing U. S. and world fisheries, populations of protected marine species, and their habitats. Research is conducted to estimate the biological, environmental, and economic impacts of different fisheries management options, and advice is given to domestic and international organizations that manage living marine resources. In comparison to many coastal marine habitats, the pelagic realm of the tropical and subtropical oceans appears featureless and homogenous. However, the communities of animals in this ecosystem are structured by physical and biogeochemical differences in water masses (vertically, horizontally, and temporally) that have a strong influence on spatial distribution and interspecific interactions.  Dissolved oxygen concentrations, particle concentration, and fluorescence are key water column properties that shape the structure of marine ecosystems.  Acquiring appropriate sensors for estimating these properties in the upper 2000 m of the water column will increase the utility of SGX platforms on which they are deployed, and this procurement action supports PIFSCs continued investments and pivot toward uncrewed vehicles to carry out pelagic ecosystem sampling operations.

North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS):  334516 with a size standard of 1,000 employees.

Interested vendors who believe they can provide an equivalent sensor to the RBRtridente three-channel fluorescence and backscatter optical sensor are requested to provide the following information in response to this Sources Sought Announcement:

1). A statement that you believe your firm has the capability to meet all above stated requirements. 

2). A specification sheet for the proposed equipment

3). Your firm's UEI #

4). Your firm's SBA certified small business concern status.  Specifically identify if your firm is HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, or in the SBA’s 8(a) program, etc.  If your firm is not small, please state that it is a large business.

The information provided in response to this announcement is limited to five pages or less.  All information shall be provided free of charge to the Government.  The Government will not return any data provided in response to this announcement. 
 

This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. 

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.

Responses shall be provided to Contracting Officer, Stephanie Garnett via email at Stephanie.M.Garnett@noaa.gov no later than 10:00 AM (Hawaii Time) on August 25, 2025.