Self Locating Datum Marker Buoy (SLDMB)

This is a source sought synopsis only, not a solicitation announcement.  This is NOT a request for proposals or quotes and in no way obligates the Government to award any contract.  The United States Coast Guard (USCG) performs Search and Rescue (SAR). A Self Locating Datum Marker Buoy (SLDMB) is an effective method to obtain Total Water Current (TWC) in the vicinity of a Last Known Position (LKP) during Search and Rescue (SAR) cases.

The U.S. Coast Guard utilizes the (SLDMB-3) PN: ISLDMB-FAT-AS-DATA-SP.

Given a LKP or estimated initial position (EIP), an accurate estimate of TWC is helpful in finding distressed persons. A Self Locating Datum Marker Buoy (SLDMB) is an effective method to obtain TWC in the vicinity of an LKP during a SAR case. The USCG is presently using the SLDMB-3 provided by Metocean Data Systems CAGE 0EC85. The SLDMB-3 is an oceanographic Davis drifter that continually transmits position and other environmental data in support of SAR missions. The buoys are carried on board and must be safely deployed from both USCG Shipboard and Aviation assets. The marker buoy must be capable of operating in heavy/inclement weather such as high winds, waves, storms, and icing conditions and in both salt and fresh water. The oceanographic marker buoy, drift with the upper one meter of the ocean, minimizing slippage with the water and rectification of the wave motions. Once deployed the marker buoy sink at the end of their life cycle and are expendable.

The U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) is seeking interested contractors to provide SLDMBs prospects. This notice of intent is not a solicitation or request for competitive proposals. The government will not pay for either the effort or the associated costs to respond, or for any information provided.

Responses 

Responses to this notice should include company name, address, telephone number, and point of contact (POC).  Please respond to the following questions: 

• Is your business a large or small business?

• If small, does your firm qualify as a small, emergent business, or a small, disadvantaged business?

• If disadvantaged, specify under which disadvantaged group and is your firm certified under Section 8(a) of the Small Business Act?

• Is your firm a certified "hub zone" firm?

• Is your firm a woman-owned or operated business?

• Is your firm a certified Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned?

• Are your products/services listed on a GSA schedule?

• Do you have other government agencies using your products or services, and if so which agencies, provide POC's and contract numbers.

After the review of the responses to this source sought announcement, and if the USCG still plans to proceed with the acquisition, a solicitation announcement will be published on the Federal Business Opportunity website.  Responses to this source sought synopsis are not adequate response to any future solicitation announcement.  All interested offerors will have to respond to the solicitation in addition to responding to this source sought synopsis.  Responses to this source sought synopsis are NOT a request to be added to a prospective offerors list or to receive a copy of the solicitation. 

Closing date and time for receipt of response is 5/21/2024, at 5:00 pm Eastern Time (ET).  E-mail responses are preferred and may be sent to Madison.L.Coker@uscg.mil.  Please indicate 70Z03824IE0000011 in the subject line.