USV collected fish survey data

The U.S. Geological Survey is seeking proposals to collect fisheries data on Lakes Erie, Michigan, and Huron using unmanned surface vehicles from August 2023 through January 2028. Offerors must have experience operating ocean-going USVs equipped with acoustic sensors to complete 56 mission days per lake with continuous data transmission. Proposals are due by February 24, 2023 and will be evaluated on the offeror's technical approach, past performance and price for a firm-fixed-price contract.

No set-aside provisions apply to this solicitation issued under NAICS code 334511. The potential value including all options is approximately $2 million to be awarded as a sole-source contract to Saildrone Inc., the only offeror capable of meeting the requirements for extended acoustic data collection using proprietary USVs. Pricing is requested for 135 mission days per year along with associated launch, recovery, calibration and travel costs, with performance at the contractor's facility and in the Great Lakes regions.