A--2025-26 FREEZE-UP AND BREAK-UP OF ARCTIC SEA ICE IN THE US BEAUFORT AND CHUKCHI

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is issuing a sole source contract for the 2025-26 freeze-up and break-up of Arctic sea ice in the US Beaufort and Chukchi seas. The contract is intended to build upon the knowledge gained from previous freeze-up observations and to obtain an understanding of the nature of break-up under present-day conditions. The contractor will be required to obtain present and historical radar satellite images, which are vital to conducting the required analysis. The final results will be based on a combination of current and historical RADARSAT imagery analysis, historical proprietary data from previous JIP partners and CFC contracts, and reconnaissance flights flown during each freeze-up and break-up season. Key aspects of the contract include: • Obtaining present and historical radar satellite images • Conducting analysis of the images to understand the nature of break-up under present-day conditions • Using historical proprietary data from previous JIP partners and CFC contracts • Conducting reconnaissance flights during each freeze-up and break-up season • Providing a combination of current and historical RADARSAT imagery analysis, historical proprietary data, and reconnaissance flight data as the final results.