Towed silcam prototype phase II
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- 140E0126Q0018
- Agency
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Department of the Interior
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Points of contact
-
- Catherine Robertson catherine_robertson@ios.doi.gov (703) 787-1479
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), operating under the Department of the Interior, has published a Special Notice announcing its intent to issue a sole source purchase order to SINTEF Ocean AF for repairs, upgrades, and modifications to the Towed SilCam Prototype Phase II. This notice, published on March 25, 2026, is based on the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1) and represents a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC). The procurement is for a firm-fixed-price contract with a six-month period of performance, with an anticipated start date around May 1, 2026. BSEE argues that SINTEF is the sole source capable of performing this work due to its ownership of the intellectual property, design specifications, and requisite subject matter expertise. The notice is informational in nature and is not a request for proposal, though BSEE will evaluate any competing proposals submitted by responsible entities.
BSEE's objective is to enhance the operability and data quality of the Towed SilCam system, which measures droplet size distribution of dispersed oil slicks and takes background particle measurements following field trials conducted at the Ohmsett tank and in open water. The primary contractor deliverables include replacement of the internal camera mounting structure, replacement of damaged mounting hardware, installation of additional data ports to improve transfer speeds, replacement of the LED flash unit, and updates to the Towed SilCam user manual based on BSEE feedback. The deadline for submission of competing proposals is April 1, 2026, and only SINTEF Ocean AF (UeID FQP1MFLHNWC3) is currently identified as eligible to perform this specialized work given its proprietary ownership and engineering expertise. While the notice indicates this is a sole source award, BSEE's market research has determined that no other contractor possesses the necessary capabilities to advance the required system modifications and upgrades. Interested parties who believe they are capable of performing this work may submit proposals by the stated deadline for consideration.
Notice text
Towed Silcam Prototype Phase II - Repairs, Upgrades and Modifications
Synopsis - Notice to Sole Source:
NOTICE OF INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE PURCHASE ORDER TO PROCURE TOWED SILCAM PROTOTYPE PHASE II ¿ REPAIRS, UPGRADES AND MODIFICATIONS
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b)(1), intends to issue a sole source purchase order to SINTEF Ocean AF (Postboks 4762 Torgarden, Trondheim, 7465, Norway), UeID FQP1MFLHNWC3, for the procurement of Towed Silcam Prototype Phase II ¿ Repairs, Upgrades and Modifications. The period of performance is 6 months with an anticipated start date around May 1, 2026.
BSEE acquired a prototype Towed SilCam produced by SINTEF for the purpose of measuring droplet size distribution of dispersed oil slicks and taking background particle measurements. The system was tested in the Ohmsett tank and in open water. After field trials, BSEE provided SINTEF with feedback related to the systems deployment and operation. Working in conjunction with SINTEF engineers, BSEE created a list system repairs, upgrades and modifications aimed at improving ease of use and data quality. The action items include modifications covered under the existing service agreement with SINTEF, and BSEE funded upgrades.
The bureau anticipates a sole source, firm-fixed-price (FFP) contract to be awarded with a 6- month period of performance to SINTEF Ocean AS. In 2023-2024, BSEE purchased a Towed SilCam from SINTEF for testing at Ohmsett and on-water field trials. Following these test deployments, potential modifications and upgrades were identified with the goal of improving ease of use and improving data quality. There is no source other than SINTEF to improve the Towed SilCam Array, since SINTEF owns the IP, design, and set of SME's required to advance a system modifications and upgrades.
PLEASE NOTE: This notice is not a request for proposal (RFP). This notice of intent is for informational purposes only. However, any firm that believes itself capable of meeting the requirement described herein may submit a capability statement or quotation which may be considered if received by the agency by 12:00PM Eastern Time on April 1, 2026. All submissions in response to this notice must be submitted in writing via email to the Contracting Officer at catherine_robertson@ios.doi.gov reference notice ID 140E0126Q0018 on the subject line. A determination by the Government not to compete the Government's requirements described in this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. POC: Catherine Robertson, Contracting Officer, BSEE, Acquisition Operations Branch, 45600 Woodland Road, Mailstop VAE-AMD, Sterling, VA 20166. The NAICS is 541715; Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). The PSC is R425 - Support- Professional: Engineering/Technical.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| B08_JOFOC_Redacted_1.pdf |
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