Underwater Drone - Remote Operated Vehicle

The Florida State Guard, under the Department of Military Affairs, is seeking to procure up to five underwater Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs) through a Request for Proposal (RFP) issued on February 13, 2025, with proposals due by March 13, 2025, at 10:30 AM EST. The solicitation, specific to Broward County, requires underwater drones with advanced technical specifications including 4K video resolution, side-scan sonar capabilities, GPS functionality, a 1000-foot depth rating, and maximum weight of 65 pounds. The ROVs are intended for maritime missions such as search and rescue, evidence recovery, and infrastructure inspections. Evaluation criteria will be comprehensive, with points distributed across technical response (385 points), past performance client references (30 points), and pricing (345 points), totaling 760 possible points. Key technical requirements include multi-functional attachment arms for cutting, grabbing, and sample collection, with vendors required to provide three separate client references demonstrating at least one continuous year of similar service. Important dates include a proposal opening conference call on March 13, 2025, at 11:30 AM EST, and an anticipated Notice of Intent to Award on March 18, 2025.

The RFP does not explicitly mention specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must submit a complete price sheet (Attachment D) with all costs included, including delivery, with an optional delivery location in Starke, Florida. The anticipated expenditure for this procurement is approximately $8,000,000, with the Division intending to award the contract to a single vendor determined to be the most responsive and responsible. The procurement includes provisions for a pre-buy inspection of the drone and equipment before acceptance, with potential financial consequences of $100 per day for late delivery or non-compliance. Delivery of the ROVs is expected within 30 days after contract award or as mutually agreed upon in writing. Vendors must provide comprehensive documentation demonstrating their systems' capabilities, including real-world testing data and compliance with operational requirements such as temperature ranges, pressure resistance, and illumination capabilities for low-light conditions.