Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

The U.S. Geological Survey Office of Acquisitions and Grants seeks the lease of a Remotely Operated Vehicle and trained crew to support seafloor geodetic operations in the Cascadia subduction zone offshore northern California, with quotations due August 20 at 5:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time. Amendment 0001, issued August 11, clarifies that crew support is required alongside the vehicle lease; offerors must acknowledge receipt of the amendment or risk rejection.

This is full and open competition under FAR 12 for commercial products and services. Place of performance is Santa Cruz, California, with operations aboard the UNOLS vessel R/V Roger Revelle during calendar year 2027. The period of performance runs September 1, 2026 through December 20, 2027.

The ROV must be U.S.-operated, working-class, and capable of operating at 3,000 to 3,500 meters water depth and deployable from the R/V Revelle. The vehicle must lift approximately 200 pounds and precisely install a GNSS-A transponder onto an existing seafloor benchmark base plate; a heavy-lift sled is required for transponder transport. Crew must possess specific experience with seafloor geodetic installation using ROVs and precise re-occupation of Scripps Institute of Oceanography monuments.

The NAICS code is 532411, Equipment Rental and Leasing, with a size standard of $45.5 million. Award will not be determined by cost alone; evaluation criteria include experience in scientific work, workspace accommodations, equipment deployment methods, and ability to operate equipment on similar platforms. Quotations must be firm, fixed-price in U.S. dollars. All quoters must be registered in SAM with active status and provide their UEI number. Questions were due August 14. Tracy Huot is the Contracting Officer; contact 916-278-9330 or tracy_huot@ios.doi.gov.