Long Range Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

The contract involves the development and deployment of a Long Range Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) designed to support the National Marine Fisheries Service's scallop surveys and ecosystem monitoring efforts, particularly within wind energy development areas. The AUV must be capable of matching the imaging and sensing capabilities of the existing HabCam system, which is used to produce precise, standardized habitat images at specified intervals along survey tracks. The collected stereo images and metadata are required to be captured at least every 10 meters, with images ideally taken within 1 to 2.5 meters of the seabed, although some can be taken up to 5 meters above the seabed for navigation purposes. This technology aims to mitigate the impact of wind energy installations on ongoing surveys and expand data collection for fishery management. The solicitation, posted by the NOAA Department of Commerce in Seattle, is open for responses until December 23, 2024. It falls under NAICS code 334511, which pertains to instruments and related products manufacturing. The contract aims to enhance the NOAA's capability to observe ecosystem changes and maintain accurate survey data in complex environments affected by renewable energy development, ensuring continued support for sustainable fishery management and ecosystem health. The primary point of contact is Carina Topasna, reachable via email or phone for further inquiries.