2026, PMAA, BOAD, Mission Specialist ROV System-SSJ

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), operating under the Colorado Department of Natural Resources Purchasing Office, is conducting a sole source procurement for the Statewide Boating Unit to acquire a VideoRay Ally underwater Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) system. The ROV is a tethered, remotely operated underwater drone designed specifically for the Marine Evidence Recovery Team to search, locate, and recover evidence and drowning victims in underwater environments throughout Colorado. The system includes advanced thrusters, sonar capabilities, high-definition camera technology, underwater positioning capabilities via Doppler Velocity Log (DVL), and a manipulator arm capable of operating at all depths of Colorado waters and in conditions unsafe for human divers. The procurement is being pursued as a sole source procurement with a posted date of March 20, 2026, and a due date of March 25, 2026. The sole source justification is predicated on backward compatibility with existing VideoRay equipment currently operated by the Marine Evidence Recovery Team, which includes three other ROVs (one Pro4 and two Pro5 units); the new Ally ROV will operate with existing tethers and control boxes and utilize the same controller and software as previous models, thereby minimizing training requirements and operational disruption. CPW anticipates issuing the Purchase Order as soon as practicable, with a sole source procurement end date of June 1, 2026. Vendors may submit a one-page cover letter to Jeanette Stroud at Jeanette.Stroud@state.co.us demonstrating capability to provide equivalent goods; if multiple qualified vendors are identified, the purchase will be formally solicited rather than awarded as sole source.

The procurement documentation does not specify set-aside designations or restrictions limiting responses to particular categories of organizations, such as disadvantaged enterprises or minority-owned businesses. The current incumbent vendor is VideoRay, which manufactures the existing Pro4 and Pro5 ROV units currently operated by the Marine Evidence Recovery Team; the Ally ROV represents a complementary addition to this existing fleet. Integration with existing infrastructure is a critical requirement, as the new Ally ROV must operate seamlessly with current tethers, control boxes, controllers, and software platforms to ensure program effectiveness and minimize search and recovery mission duration. Colorado Parks and Wildlife has budgeted approximately $109,000.00 for this procurement. No bidders' meeting or site visit has been scheduled in the available documentation.