Bid guide
How to bid on a Multibeam/Portable Workstation for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
What the agency is buying and why it matters
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, plans to purchase one portable, high-resolution multibeam echo sounder system. This equipment is used for hydrographic survey operations. The Norbit iWBMS Xh-class system is mentioned as a reference standard, but the agency will consider equivalent products. This is a good opportunity for small businesses that can supply specialized nautical survey equipment.
The contract will be a firm-fixed-price agreement, meaning the price you quote will be the price paid if awarded. This procurement is set aside for small businesses.
Key dates and what happens at the deadline
This is a pre-solicitation notice, published on August 03, 2026. The deadline for this notice is August 24, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. This deadline is for industry to be aware of the upcoming requirement; it is not a deadline for submitting quotes.
The actual Request for Quote (RFQ) is expected to be posted on SAM.gov soon after this notice. The solicitation will include detailed specifications and contract terms. Vendors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) before any award can be made.
Who this opportunity suits
This opportunity is suitable for small businesses that manufacture or supply search, detection, navigation, guidance, aeronautical, and nautical systems and instruments. The relevant North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334511, with a size standard of 1,350 employees.
Firms with experience providing high-resolution multibeam echo sounder systems, particularly those comparable to the Norbit iWBMS Xh-class, are well-suited for this requirement.
How to respond to the upcoming solicitation
This notice is for informational purposes only and is not a request for quotes. The actual solicitation, which will be an RFQ, will be posted on SAM.gov. You will need to monitor SAM.gov for the release of the official solicitation.
To access the original source of this pre-solicitation notice, click the 'View original source' link. If you land on the portal's homepage, click the link again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view documents, though this is not always required.
Tips for preparing a competitive response
When the RFQ is released, carefully review all product specifications to ensure your proposed system meets or exceeds the requirements, especially if offering an 'equal' product to the Norbit iWBMS Xh-class. Clearly articulate how your system's performance and operational capabilities are equivalent.
Ensure your company's registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is active and up-to-date, including all Representations and Certifications (FAR and DFARS) sections. This is a mandatory step before any contract award. Pay close attention to the firm-fixed-price nature of the contract when preparing your quote, ensuring all costs are accounted for in your proposed price.
See the live bid — deadline, agency details, and how to respond
Dates and requirements can change via addenda; always verify on the bid page and at the original source before responding.
View this bid on BiddingSimpleThis guide was prepared by BiddingSimple from the solicitation’s public posting. It is not official guidance from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District; the original posting controls.