Sole Source Teledyne Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) intends to procure Acoustic Doppler Current Profilers (ADCPs) and related accessories through a sole source negotiation with Teledyne RD Instruments. The procurement includes one WHPS300 Workhorse Proteus ADCP and one WHSII600 Workhorse II ADCP, selected based on their unique compatibility with NOAA's existing deployment hardware, telemetry configurations, and data processing pipelines. The sole source justification rests on the requirement that the equipment must be fully compatible in form, fit, and function with current systems, and Teledyne is identified as the sole entity in the United States capable of meeting these specifications. The evaluation of alternative sources will be conducted solely to determine whether a competitive procurement should be conducted instead, with the final determination remaining at the government's discretion. Interested parties believing they can fully meet the government's requirements must submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days of this notice's publication, which was posted on April 29, 2026.

This procurement carries no set-aside designation and represents a direct negotiation with incumbent contractor Teledyne RD Instruments of Poway, California. The specific quantities required are one unit each of two ADCP models, with delivery required within 90 days from the date of award. The justification emphasizes that maintaining consistency in instrumentation is critical to preserving long-term datasets used for climate and fisheries research, and that replacing aging units with compatible Teledyne equipment ensures continuity in data collection while minimizing integration risks and avoiding costs associated with system reconfiguration, software modification, and personnel retraining. No competitive solicitation package is currently available, though the government reserves the right to pursue a competitive process if responsive documentation suggests alternative sources can meet requirements. The pre-solicitation notice does not establish a specific award value or budget range for this acquisition.