Software for the Office of Ocean Exploration and Research

Department of Commerce

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research

Sources Sought

Software for the Office o Ocean Exploration and Research

INTRODUCTION

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY.

This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and market research planning purposes; it does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation. This notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is not seeking proposals at this time. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any costs incurred in response to this notice. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this notice does not preclude participation in any future solicitation.

The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government, and will not be returned. Any information that the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such.

REQUIREMENT

NOAA, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) utilizes vessels that are fitted with a multi beam sonar that collects bathymetry, water column backscatter, and bottom backscatter data, and multiple EK sonars. The required software suite is used to view and interpret all of these data in support of OER’s mission of ocean exploration.

The sonar data collected by the NOAA, OAR, OER Expeditions Operations team is used to create new maps of previously unexplored areas of the ocean floor and water column. These maps are used by the ocean exploration, scientific research, and marine resource management communities to further the understanding of U.S. and international ocean space.

PURPOSE

To identify sources, including small and socioeconomic small business concerns, capable of performing the following:

The service needed is software that is able to process multi beam and split beam sonar data in support of NOAA, OAR, OER expeditions. A geospatial processing software suite that specifically works with acoustic oceanographic data (multi-beam sonar data and EK sonar data) is required.  The suite includes several different types of "software" and "add-ons" for viewing, processing, integrating, and manipulating different types data acquired in the ocean environment. These data include seafloor data showing depth, seafloor data showing backscatter/hardness, midwater data showing depth, midwater data showing backscatter, etc.

This software suite is needed for a base period of one year plus three one-year option periods. Perpetual licenses are required, as well as subscription licenses. All perpetual licenses require annual support and the subscription licenses do not need this additional support. Not all options would necessarily be used and would depend on the operational needs of OER as the year’s oceanographic data requirements progress.

RESPONSE DEADLINE AND REQUESTED INFORMATION

Respondents are encouraged to prepare a capabilities statement that addresses the capabilities identified in the Purpose section. Responses to this notice should be submitted in the form of Microsoft Word and/or PDF (searchable format) documents via email received no later than 12:00 p.m. MST, July 24, 2023. Responses shall be submitted to:

• Contracting Officer, Molly Tovado, at molly.tovado@noaa.gov
• Contract Specialist, Julia Hamilton, at julia.l.hamilton@noaa.gov

The statement of capability shall also include the information listed below:

1. Company Name/Division, mailing address, e-mail address, telephone, and website address (if available).
2. Single point-of-contact name, title, telephone, and email address.
3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Please note that offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at SAM.gov at the time an offer or quotation is submitted in order to comply with the annual representations and certifications requirements.
4. Indicate if your firm qualifies as a small business under NAICS Code 513210 - Software Publishers, and socio-economic status, if qualified as one or more of the following:
   1. 8(a) firm (must be certified by SBA)
   2. Small Disadvantaged Business
   3. Woman-Owned Small Business (must be certified by SBA)
   4. HUBZone firm (must be certified by SBA)
   5. Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business
5. Vendors may provide any other information determined to be important and relevant to the purposes of this Sources Sought.

INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS

Some respondents may be asked to provide additional information regarding the matters addressed in this notice. Those respondents will be contacted directly if there is a need for further information.

QUESTIONS

Respondents may submit questions regarding this notice to the contact(s) listed below. Responses to questions may be posted on SAM.gov. Please send any questions you may have to Contracting Officer, Molly Tovado, at molly.tovado@noaa.gov and Contract Specialist, Julia Hamilton, at julia.l.hamilton@noaa.gov.