Environmental Monitors on Lobster Traps and Large Trawlers - REDACTED JOFOC

Background
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through its Acquisition and Grants Office (AGO) and Western Acquisition Division (WAD), is proposing a contract for cloud support services and management of the Environmental Monitors on Lobster Traps and Large Trawlers program. This initiative supports the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) and aims to enhance environmental monitoring in the fishing industry.

Work Details
The contract involves the installation of scientific equipment on fishing boats, data collection, and data transmission at fishing ports from Maine to North Carolina. The services will facilitate coordination, outreach, and technical support for over 150 fishing vessels equipped with environmental monitoring systems used during routine operations.

The Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation (GOMLF) is identified as the sole source capable of providing these specialized services due to their unique qualifications, including compatibility with existing hardware, data programming, and exclusive access to collected data. GOMLF has a long-standing relationship with commercial fishermen and has been collecting data since 1995 through the eMOLT program, which utilizes specialized hardware and open-source software to gather environmental data from sensorized fishing gear.

Period of Performance
The overall period of performance is from September 22, 2026, through September 21, 2031, including four one-year options.

Place of Performance
Kennebunk ME UNITED STATES

Bidder Requirements
The contract requires bidders to have unique qualifications that include experience with environmental monitoring systems specific to the fishing industry. Bidders must demonstrate compatibility with existing hardware and possess capabilities for data programming. Additionally, bidders should have a proven track record of collaboration with commercial fishermen and state entities.

Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail)
The prior award for Environmental Monitors on Lobster Traps (EMOLT) with the Gulf of Maine Lobster Foundation (GOMLF) (contract 1305M324P0522) indicates a confirmed incumbent, with an award value of $268,630 for the period 09/13/24–09/12/26. The current effort’s focus on installing and supporting environmental monitoring equipment on lobster traps and large trawlers, along with data collection and transmission at fishing ports, appears to be a continuation of the same EMOLT program activities using GOMLF’s established monitoring approach and data collection workflow.