Autonomous surface vehicle (USV)

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is requesting bids on one Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) and associated components for the Maryland Geological Survey under firm fixed-price terms, with bids due January 16, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time via the eMMA electronic procurement platform. This is a single-award, one-time purchase procurement.

The USV must be a monohull vessel not exceeding two meters in length and one meter in width, capable of autonomous navigation via onboard computer or remote control operation. The system must operate in water depths ranging from one to six feet and up to 100 feet in enclosed basins and be equipped for geospatial data collection of bathymetric and side scan data. Required components include an industrial operating system, Wi-Fi communications, forward-looking camera, dual battery sets with charger, motors for control and thrust, an automatic deploy SVP/CTD winch with logging system (sound velocity and pressure sensors), portable 3D side scan imaging and swath bathymetry system with through-hull mounting, dual GNSS receivers with RTK/PPK capability, comprehensive sonar-control and bathymetry-display software packages, and a shipping crate. The system will be delivered to the Maryland Geological Survey in Baltimore.

Bidders must demonstrate three years of experience designing, integrating, or delivering autonomous or remotely operated marine systems and at least two successful deliveries of similar USV or hydrographic survey systems to government or commercial customers within the past five years. Bidders must provide financial capability documentation (profit and loss statements and balance sheets for the past two years) and carry comprehensive insurance: commercial general liability of $1 million combined single limit with $3 million annual aggregate, worker's compensation, inland marine/cargo insurance at 110% of contract value, water liability of $1 million per occurrence, and automobile/truck insurance. All policies must be issued by Maryland-authorized companies with the State listed as additional insured. The scope includes post-customization, system integration, calibration, field testing, and manufacturer-provided training (on-site training negotiable) plus manufacturer's warranty. No MBE or VSBE subcontracting goals apply; the contract contains no federal funding. Award is based on lowest responsive and responsible bid price. Questions are due December 2, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. A virtual pre-bid conference is scheduled for November 21, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. (RSVP by November 19). Bidders must register with eMMA and the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation before submission. All three amendments issued must be acknowledged per COMAR 21.05.02.01(C).