NOAA requests proposals for design and construction of new ocean survey ships

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is seeking proposals from US shipbuilders for the design and construction of new ships for the agency.

The new vessels will primarily support NOAA’s coastal, continental shelf, and deep ocean data collection requirements. The solicitation opened on Thursday, May 19, and will close on August 16, 2022.

The solicitation is for a firm, fixed-price contract for two vessels, with options for NOAA to purchase two additional vessels of the same design. The successful bidder will be responsible for both designing and building the new ships.

To meet the NOAA’s requirements, the new ships must have the capability to carry, deploy, and recover multiple crewed and uncrewed vessels to support nautical charting and seafloor survey missions. They must also be able to accommodate 48 people, consisting of commissioned officers, professional civilian crew members, scientists and other personnel.

To support the NOAA’s goal of reducing the agency’s carbon footprint, the new ships must incorporate the latest technologies, including high-efficiency, environmentally-friendly EPA Tier IV diesel engines and emissions controls.

The NOAA anticipates awarding the contract for this acquisition in 2023 and taking delivery of the first two vessels by 2027. The agency has not yet assigned a homeport for these new ships.

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