USGS Intent to Award Notice: Blue Robotics ROV & USV
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- DOIGFBO260033
- Agency
-
Office of Acquisitions and Grants
US Geological Survey, Department of the Interior
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 336612 Boat Building
- PSC
- 1990 Miscellaneous Vessels
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The U.S. Geological Survey announced on August 10, 2026, its intent to award a non-competitive purchase order to Blue Robotics, Inc. for an unmanned surface vehicle and underwater remote operated vehicle, with delivery to Hilo, Hawaii within 60 days of award. USGS has determined that Blue Robotics is the sole source meeting the requirement because it is the only ROV and USV manufacturer that employs an open-source, customizable operating system; competitors use proprietary software that prevents integration of aftermarket survey instruments, cameras, and sonars required by Unit scientists and students to support cooperative research missions.
In accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul 12.102(a), USGS intends to proceed noncompetitively. However, per RFO 5.101(c)(4)(vi), responsible sources may submit a quotation for agency consideration; this notice is informational only and is not a request for competitive quotations. Quotations must be emailed to Contracting Officer Leah Williams at leah_williams@ios.doi.gov with Solicitation# DOIGFBO260033 in the subject line. The anticipated award date is August 24, 2026. NAICS 336612 (Boat Building) applies; size standard is 1,000 employees.
Notice text
USGS Intent to Award Notice: Blue Robotics ROV & USV
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Ecosystems Mission Area, Cooperative Research Units, Hawaii Cooperative Fishery Research Unit (HI CFRU) intends to award a non-competitive purchase order to Blue Robotics, Inc, located in Torrance, CA, for an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) and an underwater remote operated vehicle (ROV), to be delivered to Hilo, HI within 60 days of award from the date the contractor receives the purchase order.
While other companies may produce ROVs or USVs that approach the specifications required, they all use proprietary software for their operating systems limiting the survey equipment that can be added aftermarket and thus the mission profiles that can be performed using a single platform. Blue Robotics, Inc. uses an open-source operating system that will allow for Unit scientists and students to add additional instruments, cameras, sonars, and other devices as required to meet the research needs of our cooperators and to program the ROV and USV to perform missions integrating those aftermarket additions. This flexibility is not possible with other ROVs or USVs that use proprietary software for their operating systems. Blue Robotics, Inc. is the only source of ROVs and USVs that use an open source and completely customizable operating system that meets the other specifications required.
In accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) 5.101(c)(4)(vi), all responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency, however, THIS NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. The Government intends to award this requirement noncompetitively in accordance with RFO 12.102(a).
Responses must be emailed to Contracting Officer, Leah Williams, at leah_williams@ios.doi.gov. Reference Solicitation# DOIGFBO260033 in the subject line.
The NAICS code is 336612. The size standard is 1,000 employees.
The anticipated award date is 08/24/2026. The anticipated contract will be firm fixed-price. A vendor must be registered at https://www.sam.gov to be awarded the purchase order.
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