Sand, Sediment, and Critical Mineral Investigation

The Department of the Interior, through the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management on behalf of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, is conducting market research via a Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought with solicitation number 140M0126Q0018 to identify qualified small businesses capable of performing geophysical surveys, geological sampling, and laboratory analysis in federal waters offshore Louisiana, specifically in the Ship Shoal area. This effort supports the National Offshore Sand Inventory and the National Offshore Critical Minerals Inventory through a two-year project involving the collection of 365 to 483 line miles of geophysical data using bathymetry, sub-bottom profilers, magnetometers, and side-scan sonar, along with the acquisition of 30 vibracores and 10 deep cores targeting sand units and critical mineral content. All work must adhere to established standards including ISO 19901, ASTM D5434, ISO 19115, and the USGS Science Data Lifecycle Model, with core samples required to be cut into five-foot sections, properly labeled, photographed before disturbance, and maintained with a minimum 80% recovery rate. Data must be submitted in MMIS-compliant formats such as shapefiles, CSV, and ESRI geodatabases, referenced to NAD 83 and NAVD88 coordinate systems, and metadata must conform to FGDC CSDGM or ISO 19115. Responses are due by May 12, 2026, and are limited to 10 pages in PDF or Word format, submitted electronically to designated BOEM email addresses. This RFI is strictly for market research purposes and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or a commitment to award a contract; no financial compensation or reimbursement will be provided for responding. Respondents are required to provide their organization name, address, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and must self-declare small business status if applicable. No formal contract clauses, evaluation factors, pricing data, or contracting officer details are included at this stage, as the document is preliminary and intended solely to gather industry input on the Draft Statement of Work. Compliance with U.S. Coast Guard navigation notices and archaeological resource clearance requirements is mandatory for any future awarded contract, and daily progress updates must be submitted during operations. While the contracting office is based in Sterling, Virginia, all performance activities occur offshore in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico, with deliverables