Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoy
Past Recompete Updated
- Agency
-
Coast Guard
Department of Homeland Security
- Solicitation expected
- Estimated value
- $5,000,000 to $10,000,000
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Forecast facts
- Incumbent contract
-
- 70Z03820DE0000004 Federal IDV award held by Metocean Telematics, Inc. Ordering ended Aug 30, 2025 · Ceiling $9,493,110
- Previous solicitation
- Purchase Iridium Self Locating Data Marker Buoys 70Z03820RE0000003 · Posted Apr 15, 2020
- Anticipated award
- Through
- Acquisition strategy
- Follow-on to Existing Contract
- NAICS code
- 334511 Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- Elizabeth City, NC
- Forecast number
- F2024067161
Forecast details come from DHS's Acquisition Planning Forecast System. Agencies' dates and values are estimates.
About this forecast
The U.S. Coast Guard is forecasting a recompete for Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoys (SLDMBs), oceanographic drifters designed to support Search and Rescue (SAR) operations by continuously transmitting position and environmental data. These buoys are deployed from both surface and air assets to obtain sea surface current estimates near a last known position or estimated initial position, providing critical drift data to the Coast Guard's Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS). The solicitation is estimated for release on December 1, 2025, with an anticipated award date of March 1, 2026.
The estimated award value ranges from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 under a firm fixed-price contract vehicle. The place of performance is Elizabeth City, NC 27909. The contracting officer is Samuel J. Ownley (samuel.j.ownley2@uscg.mil, 252-312-7411), with Jackson Perry serving as the secondary point of contact (jackson.s.perry@uscg.mil, 252-384-7498). The estimated period of performance extends from March 1, 2026, through February 28, 2031.
This recompete follows the existing indefinite delivery contract 70Z03820DE0000004 awarded to Metocean Telematics, Inc. on August 31, 2020, with a ceiling value of $9,493,110. Under the current contract, Metocean Telematics has provided integrated sensor buoys, drifter floats, and satellite telemetry services from its Ottawa, Canada facilities to support the Coast Guard's maritime domain awareness and coastal surveillance missions. The incumbent contract was set to expire on August 30, 2025, prior to this recompete award.
Forecast text
Conducting Search and Rescue (SAR) operations is one of the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard. Given a last known position (LKP) or estimated initial position (EIP), accurate estimates of the sea surface currents in the vicinity of those positions are critical to provide accurate estimates of the drift of the survivors or survivor's craft away from the LKP or EIP at the time of searches. A self- locating datum marker buoy (SLDMB) is an efficient method to obtain sea surface currents in the vicinity of an LKP or EIP during a SAR case either to provide data directly to the Coast Guard's Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System (SAROPS) or to assess the quality of various sea surface current products available to SAROPS by comparing drift of the SLDMB to their simulated drift in SAROPS.
Self-Locating Datum Marker Buoys are oceanographic drifters that continually transmit their position and other environmental data in support of SAR missions. They are also used to mark the location of objects in the water. SLDMBs are carried onboard and must be safely deployed from both surface and air assets. They are deployed in heavy/inclement weather conditions and in both salt and fresh water. SLDMBs are frequently deployed in harsh weather conditions (e.g.: high winds and waves, storm and icing conditions, etc.). There are restrictions on the size, weight, ease of use, and reliability of SLDMBs to support these deployment environments.
Oceanographically, SLDMBs must drift with the upper one meter of the ocean, minimizing slippage with the water and rectification of the wave motions. They operate on the open oceans and the Great Lakes.
On GovTribe
Work this forecast
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar forecasts
- Ask GovTribe AI about this forecast