RFQ 10209615 - Underwater Drone

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) #10209615 for an underwater drone system to be deployed in Tulare County. The procurement seeks a comprehensive underwater drone with specific technical requirements, including an analog/digital camera, underwater lights, drone operating software, a 200-meter Kevlar-wrapped copper tether, trim weights, 3000 khz multibeam sonar, and a robotic grabber arm. Additional required components include two hot-swappable lithium batteries with chargers, a controller, maintenance tool kit, two heavy-duty wheeled transport cases, and a spare battery set. The reference brand for the equipment is Oceanbotics SRV-8 ROV, with the final delivery destination set at 6908 Colusa Highway in Sutter, California. Key procurement dates include a June 2, 2025 release date, with vendor questions due by June 9, 2025, and the final quotation response deadline set for June 16, 2025. The evaluation will focus on administrative compliance and lowest net cost after applying potential preferences.

The RFQ includes specific provisions for small business and disabled veteran business enterprise (DVBE) participation, offering a 5% bid preference for California-certified small businesses and potential incentives for DVBE vendors. The procurement is classified as an IT goods acquisition valued between $10,000 and $100,000, subject to state procurement guidelines requiring vendors to provide a commercially useful function and comply with recycled content requirements. Suppliers must complete several administrative forms, including a Bidder Declaration, Recycled Content Certification, and a Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) Disclosure. The award will be made to the supplier meeting all administrative requirements and providing the lowest net cost quotation after applying small business and DVBE preferences. Vendors must demonstrate compliance with state procurement regulations and provide comprehensive documentation of their business qualifications and technical capabilities to be considered for the contract.