City of Fort Bragg (CFB) Oneka Desalination Buoy (Iceberg) Pilot Project Description

The City of Fort Bragg is conducting a two-year pilot project to deploy a single desalination buoy, known as an Iceberg, offshore in Mill Bay near its wastewater treatment plant in California. This initiative aims to test a novel, electricity-free desalination technology that produces potable water without relying on shore-based power, distinguishing it from conventional seawater reverse osmosis systems. The project, approved under a General Lease – Public Agency Use by the California State Lands Commission through August 21, 2027, is designed to gather empirical data from California coastal waters to inform the potential development of future utility-scale desalination arrays that could augment the city’s water supply. Environmental compliance is governed by the California Environmental Quality Act, with approval contingent on the adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration and the implementation of a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program to ensure ecological impacts are minimized and monitored throughout the pilot. The project’s performance will be assessed at the deployment site, with data collection focused on operational reliability, water production efficiency, and environmental interaction in open marine conditions. There is no specified contract value, pricing structure, or traditional procurement classification, as the arrangement is structured as a public agency lease rather than a conventional supply or service contract. No federal acquisition regulation clauses, technical specifications, inspection criteria, or formal invoicing methods are referenced, emphasizing the project's focus on regulatory approval, environmental oversight, and pilot-scale innovation rather than commercial contracting procedures. All submissions and communications are directed to the California State Lands Commission, with physical mail designated as the submission method and no electronic portal or digital file requirements outlined.