SAM #1333MK26Q0054

NOAA procurement of Kongsberg EK80 calibration kit for scientific echosounder systems

NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisition Branch (Department of Commerce) is seeking to procure a Kongsberg EK80 manual calibration kit with downriggers to support the calibration of scientific echosounder systems across the NOAA fleet. - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Marine Operations Center, Acquisition Branch - Department of Commerce - OEM Highlight: - Kongsberg is the sole OEM specified for the calibration kit - Products/Services Requested: - Kongsberg Hydro-Acoustic Calibration Control System Kit (EK80 calibration kit) - Includes cables, downriggers, control box, and accessories - Quantity: 1 unit - Notable Requirements: - Kit will be centrally managed and shipped throughout the NOAA fleet as needed - Sole source procurement, but other vendors may submit capability statements if they can meet the requirements - Place of Delivery: - NOAA Ship Oregon II at the Gulf Marine Support Facility, Pascagoula, MS - Purpose: - Ensures accuracy and reliability of acoustic data for fisheries surveys and ecosystem monitoring missions

Description

NOAA's Marine Operations Center, Acquisition Branch, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 6.103-1Kongsberg EK-80 Calibration KitPURPOSE:The Marine Operations Science Branch requires a Kongsberg EK80 calibration kit to support calibration of EK80 scientific echosounder systems installed across the NOAA fleet. Routine calibration of the EK80 is required to ensure the accuracy and reliability of acoustic data used in NOAA fisheries surveys and other scientific missions. Currently, access to calibration equipment is limited and often requires external coordination, which can delay calibration activities and impact survey readiness.Procuring a fleet-owned EK80 manual calibration kit with downriggers will allow Marine Operations to conduct calibrations during pre-season readiness periods and other scheduled maintenance windows. This capability will enable ships to complete required system calibrations prior to survey operations, ensuring acoustic data quality and compliance with established fisheries survey standards. The kit will be maintained centrally and shipped throughout the fleet as needed to support vessels conducting EK80 calibration activities.Providing a shared calibration kit improves operational efficiency, reduces reliance on external equipment availability, and supports timely readiness of NOAA vessels conducting fisheries acoustic surveys. This investment ensures the fleet can maintain calibrated EK80 systems and continue delivering high-quality scientific data in support of NOAA’s fisheries assessment and ecosystem monitoring missions.BACKGROUND: NOAA vessels supporting fisheries and ecosystem monitoring missions rely on Kongsberg EK80 scientific echosounder systems to collect acoustic data used for stock assessments and ecosystem research. Many of these stock assessments are congressionally mandated and require high-quality, scientifically defensible acoustic data to support fisheries management decisions. Accurate acoustic measurements require routine system calibration to ensure that the transmitted and received signals are properly characterized and that the resulting data products meet established scientific standards. These calibrations are typically conducted using specialized calibration spheres and rigging equipment to verify system performance and ensure the integrity of collected acoustic data.Currently, calibration activities are often dependent on coordinating access to calibration equipment from external partners or individual programs, which can create scheduling challenges and limit the ability to conduct calibrations during key readiness periods. As EK80 systems continue to be deployed across multiple NOAA vessels, the need for a readily available calibration capability that can support multiple ships has increased. Conducting calibrations during pre-season readiness periods and maintenance windows helps ensure that acoustic systems are properly configured and verified prior to the start of survey operations.Procuring a Kongsberg EK80 manual calibration kit with downriggers will provide Marine Operations with a portable, fleet-support capability that can be shipped to vessels as needed to complete required calibrations. The manual kit provides the necessary rigging, spheres, and associated equipment to perform standard EK80 calibrations in accordance with established fisheries acoustic survey practices. Establishing a centrally managed calibration kit will improve operational readiness, reduce reliance on external equipment availability, and support consistent calibration of EK80 systems across the fleet. This capability will help ensure NOAA vessels can collect accurate and reliable acoustic data in support of fisheries stock assessments and broader ecosystem monitoring missions.TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: Make: Kongsberg, Model: Hydro-Acoustic Calibration Control System Kit, Description: Full EK-80 calibration kit include cables, downriggers, control box, and accessories, Quantity: 1 Each, URL: none available; DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE Expected delivery is 4 weeks After Receipt of Order (ARO), anticipated April 30, 2026 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE or DELIVERY ADDRESS: Attn: Gretchen ArndtNOAA Ship Oregon IIGulf Marine Support Facility151 Watts AvePascagoula, MS 39567-4102Special NoticeThis notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment or service that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation to the identified point of contact within 5 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. Responses can be sent via e-mail to christopher.baker@noaa.gov . A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 1600 PM PDT on April 13, 2026. The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read: Announcement Number: 1333MK26Q0054

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