66--MULTIBEAM ECHOSOUNDER

The USGS Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center conducts numerous studies in coastal lakes and river environments that require high resolution bathymetry, backscatter and water column data. These data have a range of uses directly supporting the natural hazards mission of the USGS that include morphological studies, bottom classification, habitat mapping, seep identification and coring target location. These data are also useful for real-time navigational aid during data acquisition, allowing boat drivers to safely navigate bodies of water as they help scientists conduct their research. Since our last purchase of a multibeam system, numerous advances have been made in the technology, allowing the systems to become smaller and lighter, while providing a large range of frequencies and depth capabilities.

As upcoming work in our center focuses on geophysical studies of coastal lakes and rivers that may be small and/or remote, we seek a high-resolution, portable, complete multibeam sonar system. Locations of these studies will not allow for a large vessel, so the system must be deployable by two people with no special equipment and able to be transferred easily between a variety of small vessels. The system must be portable enough that it can be transported by car or small planes. As a complete system, in addition to the sonar head, we require a pole for mounting the sonar to the vessel, a topside unit/sonar interface, a sound velocity sensor, a position and orientation system, and a computer or laptop with data acquisition software. All components must be suitable for use on an open vessel where they may be subject to weather or rough sea state. To maximize our use of this system we require that it is compatible with existing Applanix POS models, and that the topside will allow the addition of a second sonar head in the future.

The Request for Quotation (RFQ), number 140G0322Q0085, will be made available through the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE), in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) 5.102(a)(1), on or about 25 March 2022. The Government anticipates award of a Firm-Fixed Price type contract. All firms must be registered in the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov) to be considered for award. Please contact the Contracting Officer, in writing, by email at cjfejarang@usgs.gov, with any questions.

This notice and any resulting solicitation or contract conforms to the requirements in place through FAC 2022-04, effective 01 January 30, 2022.