The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is inviting non-Federal entities to partner with the ocean and coastal mapping programs of its National Ocean Service on certain jointly-funded projects of mutual interest, and has established selection criteria and submission requirements for such projects under the Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund opportunity. 

For complete details, including application information, click HERE.

The Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund is a NOAA program focused on jointly funded ocean and coastal mapping projects.  It aims to leverage NOAA’s expertise and resources with non-federal partners to acquire more mapping data for the U.S. The program, named in honor of Rear Admiral Richard T. Brennan, supports the coordinated acquisition, processing, stewardship, and archival of new ocean and coastal mapping data.  Richard Thomas Brennan Jr. (August 15, 1968 – May 15, 2021) was a rear admiral in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps where he served as the 31st director of the Office of Coast Survey.  He also commanded NOAA Ship Rainier and NOAA Ship Rude.

The projects address the following strategic areas of focus:

1. Map U.S. Waters:  Mapping U.S. waters deeper than 40m by 2030 and shallower waters by 2040 would give the United States unprecedented and detailed information about the depth, shape, and composition of its seafloor and Great Lakes (NOMEC Goal 2). Based on the January 2025 analysis of data holdings at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information, 46 percent of U.S. ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes waters remain unmapped ( https://iocm.noaa.gov/​seabed-2030-status.html). Acquiring the best available data in poorly surveyed and gap areas means working with partners to contribute to the effort (NOMEC Goal 5).

2. Expand Alaska Coastal Data Collection to Deliver the Priority Geospatial Products Stakeholders Require:  Mapping the Alaska coast is challenging. However, using targeted and coordinated data collections will potentially reduce overall costs and improve the cost-benefit ratio of expanded mapping activities (ACMS IP Goal 2).

3. Collaborate to Increase Ocean and Coastal Mapping in U.S. Waters:  OCS will partner on integrated ocean and coastal mapping, leverage current and expanded resources, and increase data acquisition using traditional and emerging technologies (OCS Strategic Plan 2023-2027 Goal 1).

These projects will establish ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes survey and mapping partnerships using NOAA’s geospatial contracting vehicles with pre-qualified technical experts in surveying and mapping.

The goal of this Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund opportunity is to leverage NOAA and non-Federal partner funds to acquire more ocean and coastal mapping data from qualified contract surveyors during Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, which spans October 1, 2026, to September 30, 2027. Subject to the availability of funds, NOAA will provide up to 70 percent of the total project cost, with the selected entity providing at least 30 percent of the total project cost. For example, for a $1 million project, NOAA would provide up to $700,000, and the partner must provide at least $300,000.

Subject to the availability of funds, NOAA anticipates funding between two and five projects, with a total cost of up to $1 million per project. NOAA may consider providing additional funding for a project, thereby exceeding $1 million, subject to the availability of funds and NOAA’s discretion. All projects are expected to have a FY 2027 project start date, and NOAA must receive all non-Federal partner matching funds before October 1, 2026. NOAA reserves the right to increase or decrease its funding match based on the quality and feasibility of proposals received. After NOAA selects a non-Federal entity as a partner, NOAA will enter into an agreement with the partner pursuant to the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act of 1947 (33 U.S.C. 883e), which enables NOAA to receive and expend funds for the mapping project.

In addition to providing matching funds, NOAA brings its expertise to manage survey planning, quality assure all data and products, provide the data and products to the partners within an agreed-upon timeframe, and handle data submission to NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information for archiving and public accessibility. All ocean and coastal data and related products from the Brennan Ocean Mapping Fund program will be available to the public to the greatest extent allowed by applicable laws. The specific value-added services NOAA will provide include:

• Assurance that the data are collected by qualified survey contractors to ensure broadest use and accessibility of the data;
• Project management and GIS-based task order planning, negotiation, and award of necessary procurement contracts that are tailored to meet the interests of matching fund partners and ensure the most efficient use of mapping platforms (e.g., aerial, shipboard, and uncrewed vehicles). Managing survey compliance with applicable laws, such as the National Environmental Policy Act and National Historic Preservation Act;
• Data processing, quality assessment, and review of all acquired hydrographic data; and
• Data management and stewardship through data archive at the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Data acquisition collection methods include, but are not limited to, multibeam echosounder, side scan sonar, lidar (topographic, bathymetric, mobile), subsurface and airborne feature investigations, and sediment sampling. Products acquired may include, but are not limited to:

• Bathymetric data (multibeam, single beam, lidar);
• Backscatter;
• Water column (depth dependent);
• Side scan sonar imagery;
• Feature detection reports;
• Sensor/data corrections and calibrations (e.g., conductivity, temperature and depth casts, horizontal/vertical position uncertainty);
• Survey and control services, including the installation, operation, and removal of temporary water level and Global Navigation Satellite System Observations;
• High-resolution topographic/bathymetric product generation; and
• A final project report.

More information on NOAA’s contracted surveying and mapping processes and products can be found in the:

• OCS Hydrographic Surveys Contract Vehicle at https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/​data/​hydrographic-surveys-contract-vehicle.html.
• NGS Scope of Work for Shoreline Mapping at https://geodesy.noaa.gov/​ContractingOpportunities/​cmp-sow-v15.pdf.

 

Important dates and times to know:

The following dates are associated with this opportunity:

• Informational Webinar: Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time (ET): This informational webinar will provide more information about the matching fund opportunity and answer any questions. Advanced registration is required. Register by 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
• Virtual office hours: Friday, September 19, 2025, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET: Advanced registration is required. Register by 11:59 p.m. ET on September 17, 2025.
• Proposal submission and selection timeline:
• Statements of interest or proposals as described in Section VI of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION are due Friday, October 10, 2025, by 5 p.m. ET.
• NOAA plans to issue its decision on the proposals in December 2025. NOAA will then work with selected project partners to develop draft agreements by the end of January 2026.
• Following final agreement approval, project partners will be expected to transfer their matching funds to NOAA in June to September 2026. Funds must be transferred before October 1, 2026
• NOAA would issue task orders to its survey contractors under these agreements from January to September 2027.

About Guice Offshore Vessels and Marine Research

Need an offshore vessel for your Brennan Fund mission?

Many public and private research institutions, universities, and endowments utilize Guice Offshore vessels, which have substantial experience assisting in oceanography, marine research and other ocean-based scientific projects along all U.S. coasts and the Caribbean. 

Guice Offshore vessels offer a stable platform from which to conduct experiments and utilize specialized equipment, and our large accommodations can house many scientists and vessel crew simultaneously, and even be converted into floating laboratories. 

Multi-Purpose Vessels like the GO Pursuit, operating in partnership with Ryan Marine, are especially well-suited for the ocean research industry, which often requires an A-frame and winch to deploy acoustic gear into the water column or down to the seafloor. 

Additionally, our subsidiary, GO Marine Services, a catering and offshore labor contractor, supports mission requirements that help minimize mobilization time and expense for Guice Offshore customers with special services like certified protected species observers in compliance with marine mammal regulatory requirements.

For charter inquiries, please contact David Scheyd at david.scheyd@guiceoffshore.com or (985) 273-2769.