Underwater acoustic equipment & tags

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Office of Acquisitions and Grants is conducting market research for specialized underwater acoustic equipment and tags for Asian carp tracking studies. The procurement focuses on specific Innovasea HTI-Vemco Telemetry equipment, including 70 V16-4x-A69-2801 Round Case Carp Tags, 5 NexTrak R1 Acoustic Receivers, and 2 VR100 Surface Transponders. This research involves cooperative telemetry studies across multiple rivers, including the Mississippi, Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, and Cumberland Rivers, with participation from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and seven state agencies. Interested vendors are required to submit capability statements by 5:00 PM EST on March 25th, 2025, via email to therberholz@usgs.gov. The evaluation will likely consider technical capabilities, specialization in aquatic tracking equipment, and ability to meet specific proprietary equipment requirements.

The procurement falls under NAICS Category 334511 for Search, Detection, Navigation, and Nautical System Manufacturing, with a Product Service Code of B516 for Special Studies/Animal/Fisheries Analysis. The solicitation is currently not set aside for any specific business size, suggesting potential for full and open competition with possible multiple awards. While specific budget details are not disclosed, the highly specialized nature of the equipment suggests a targeted procurement focused on precise technological capabilities. The equipment is exclusively manufactured by Innovasea, which implies a potentially sole-source or limited competition scenario. The project timeline appears to be aligned with ongoing Asian carp tracking research, indicating a critical environmental and ecological monitoring initiative requiring specialized underwater acoustic technology.