How to bid on Underwater Hydrophone Retrieval and Maintenance for the Department of Commerce

What the agency is buying and why it matters

The Department of Commerce is seeking a small business to retrieve and maintain underwater hydrophones in Puget Sound. This work involves locating and retrieving 37 existing hydrophones and their mooring assemblies from three specific locations: Admiralty Inlet, Central Puget Sound, and Tacoma Narrows. After retrieval, the contractor will deploy 27 new Nextrak receivers with upgraded retrieval systems in the same general areas. The contractor is also responsible for purchasing and assembling the rigging for attaching the hydrophones to the anchors.

The initial contract period, known as the base year, runs from October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. There are also four option years for yearly hydrophone maintenance, extending the potential contract through September 30, 2031. This is a firm-fixed-price contract, and invoicing will be based on completed and accepted milestones or deliverables. The work will be performed from the NWFSC facility in Port Orchard, Washington.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

This Request for Quotation (RFQ) was published on July 31, 2026. All quotes must be submitted by August 14, 2026, at 7:00 PM ET. This is a strict deadline, and late submissions may not be considered. The government intends to evaluate initial quotes and award a purchase order without further discussions, so ensure your submission is complete and competitive from the start.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is set aside for small business concerns. The associated NAICS code is 488330, with a small business size standard of $47 million. Firms with experience in marine operations, underwater equipment retrieval and deployment, and specialized rigging for scientific instruments would be well-suited. Experience working in the Puget Sound area is also relevant. The work requires specific equipment and labor for handling approximately 600-pound mooring assemblies.

How to respond to this solicitation

To respond, you must submit your quotation in PDF or Microsoft Word format via email to [email protected]. Your quote documents must include signed copies of the SF 18 and any SF 30 amendments to acknowledge the solicitation. You must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide your Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and CAGE code with your quote. Failure to provide all requested information may result in your quote being considered non-responsive.

Practical tips for a competitive response

The evaluation criteria state that the Non-Price Technical Solution (Technical Approach and Prior Experience) is more important than price. However, if technical solutions are considered equal, price will become the determining factor. Therefore, clearly articulate your technical approach for retrieving and deploying the hydrophones, including your methodology, equipment, and safety protocols. Highlight any specific experience your firm has with similar underwater retrieval and deployment projects, especially those involving sensitive scientific equipment or in challenging marine environments.

Ensure your quote is comprehensive and directly addresses all requirements outlined in the Statement of Work. Since the government intends to award based on initial quotes, make sure your submission is polished and complete, assuming no prior knowledge of your capabilities by the evaluators. Double-check that your SAM registration is active and that your UEI/CAGE code is correctly included in your submission.