ROV for Seafloor Sensing

Solicitation #: N00173-19-RFI-AL03 Procurement Type: Sources Sought Title: ROV for Seafloor Sensing Classification Code: 19 - Ships, small craft, pontoons & floating docks NAICS Code: 334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing Response Date: February 15, 2019 Primary Point of Contact: Anastasia Lenfest, Contract Specialist, contact@example.gov, Phone: +1 (555) 000-0000 Description: This is a request for information (RFI) issued by the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) for information and planning purposes only. This is neither a formal Request for Proposals or Quotes (RFP or RFQ). No awards will be made from the responses to this announcement. The Government will not reimburse any costs associated with the development and submission of materials in response to this request. There is no solicitation available at this time. However, should a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NRL shall arise as a result of a response to this notice or NRL's use of such information as either part of our evaluation process or in developing specifications for any subsequent requirement. Objective: The NRL is inquiring for potential sources that are capable of providing the following: Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) for Seafloor Sensing The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory requires a new capability for mission support to deliver custom engineered measurement technologies designed for the laboratory to the seafloor beyond typical diver working depths out to the edge of the continental shelf (from about 30m to over 300m depth). To enable the mission, we seek to procure an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) that is suitable for our unique seafloor sensing applications. The ROV system needs to be turn-key, while still allowing the flexibility to support various configurations of sensors and experimental apparatuses to perform a wide variety of operations along the continental shelf. The ROV will be used for characterization of seafloor geomorphological and geochemical processes using both optical and acoustic imagery, small-scale bathymetric surveys, in situ observations of temperature, salinity and turbulence, and the precise collection of bed samples. Additionally, while performing any mission we require streaming video from up to 3 HD cameras simultaneously. The ROV needs to perform manipulation tasks and to locate and track targets on the seafloor. A key priority is the ability to integrate custom payloads and custom sensors, so adequate power and communication connections are necessary components. Performance Requirements - Minimum depth rating of 300 meters - ROV needs to be all electric thrust and minimize other sources of noise - Tether with combination fiber optic and copper (minimum 2 fiber, preferred 3-6) - Powered reel/winch with level-wind for tether management (including slip-ring) - Communication and power connections for additional sensors - 3 HD cameras operating simultaneously with support for low light conditions and onboard lighting - DVR Recording system for HD cameras capable of overlaying metadata (such as position) - Manipulator (5 degrees of freedom) capable of inserting/recovering small sediment core tubes to/from the seafloor - GPS/USBL/INS/DVL (or combinations of these) system(s) capable of providing accurate navigation position to within 1-2 meters - Autopilot or other system capable of maintaining ROV at specified altitude/depth/position. - Vehicle needs to be able to maintain station in currents up to 1 knot - Capacity to support up to 50 pounds of custom payloads - Ability to deploy (release) and recover payloads from the seafloor - Control/storage van(s) (standard 20-ft CONEX box size) to support shipping/storage of all equipment associated with system and a separate climate controlled, control room o Control room must have power supply/control for ROV and connections for computer control and display of sensors and other instrumentation - Complete spares kit for ROV and topside control and tether management - Training of personnel and acceptance testing of ROV - Minimum sensors needed to be supplied and integrated into ROV include: o Depth sensor (distance below sea surface) o Altimeter (distance above the bottom) o Dual frequency imaging sonar The NRL asks that interested parties, at a minimum, supply the following information: - Contact Information o Name of company, mailing address, and point of contact (POC) o Telephone number, fax number, address, and e-mail address of POC o Business size and number of employees o If a small business identify if your firm if an 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB o If your company is a GSA schedule contract holder AND if the items are available under the schedule Submission of Information: All information and data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be protected as such. Please include this notice number on all documents and email. Classified Material shall not be submitted. Please transmit responses by e-mail to Anastasia Lenfest, contract specialist, at contact@example.gov in either Microsoft Office or pdf formats. All responses must be received on or before 5:00PM, (EST), 15 February 2019. Phone solicitations or emails regarding the status of this Request for Information (RFI) will not be accepted. Phone solicitations or emails regarding the status of this Request for Information (RFI) will not be accepted.