Iridium Satellite Services for SNOTEL Data Transmission

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued Request for Quotation 12314425Q0277 for Iridium Satellite Services for SNOTEL Data Transmission. The USDA requires throughput services for 204 active Iridium radios and standby services for an additional 38 radios, with a base data plan of at least 12,000 bytes per month per radio. The period of performance is from September 30, 2025, to September 29, 2026, with four one-year option periods. Quotes are due by September 22, 2025, at 11:00 AM ET, and questions by September 24, 2025, at 11:00 AM ET, both to be submitted electronically to Mary.Woodin@usda.gov. The award will be based on the Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) offer. The solicitation also details extensive mandatory IT contract requirements, including Cybersecurity/Supply Chain Risk Management (C-SCRM), Country of Origin (COO) guidelines, and compliance with various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Agriculture General Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses related to product integrity, security, and ethical conduct.

Amendment 0001 to solicitation 12314425Q0277 for Iridium Satellite Services for SNOTEL Data Transmission introduces significant changes. The solicitation is now a Total Small Business Set Aside. It clarifies quantities and revises the price schedule for services, including base plans, activation fees, and optional overage/additional modem services across a base period and four option periods. Clause 52.217-7, "Option for Increased Quantity-Separately Priced Line Item," has been added, allowing the Government to increase quantities. The response deadline has been extended to 3 PM MT on September 25, 2025. Offerors must acknowledge this amendment via specific methods to avoid rejection. The amendment also lists key administrative details like the issuing office (USDA, DM/OCP/POD, Chief Office in Fort Collins, CO) and project title, along with assumptions for delivery destinations.