SOURCES SOUGHT
R -- Scientific Echo Sounder System
- Notice Date
- 12/23/2008
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 334511
— Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Central Region Acquisition Division, 601 East 12th Street, Room 1756, Kansas City, Missouri, 64106
- ZIP Code
- 64106
- Solicitation Number
- NRMAF000-9-03866SLW
- Response Due
- 1/5/2009
- Archive Date
- 1/20/2009
- Point of Contact
- Sharon L. Walker, Phone: (816)426-7470
- E-Mail Address
-
sharon.walker@noaa.gov
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- The Central Region Administrative Division (CRAD), Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Ann Arbor, MI (GLERL) intends to award a Purchase Order to Biosonics, Inc for a scientific echo-sounder system. The scientific echo-sounder system will be used for collection of acoustic backscatter information from targets as varied as zooplankton, larger invertebrates (e.g. squid and jellyfish), fish, and marine mammals. This backscatter information will be analyzed for determination of target distribution (fish size), biomass, abundance, and behavior. The system must be capable of translating acoustic data into more quantitative and meaningful information such as animal size, abundance, and swimming speed. This fisheries acoustics system must be Ethernet (IEEE 802.3) compatible, coupled with a dual-axis rotator system, controlled by semi-automated software, utilizing real-time processing and reporting for communications to shore via a wireless connection. Two, discrete, frequencies will allow data to be processed (on shore) after collection for determination of differential frequency response from different organisms. A Biosonics Fisheries Acoustics system is imperative, as researchers must be able to compare future and current data with data collected over the past 8 years using Biosonics systems. Consistent and comparable data are extremely important in a research setting where long-term trends are important. Currently, there are three major vendors of fisheries acoustics systems - Biosonics Inc, Simrad, and HTI. About 7 years ago, we performed a comparative study between the three fisheries acoustics systems and found that the data were not comparable. The primary issue was the inability to detect a similar number of single acoustic targets across platforms using a common digital signal processing software package - Echoview. Moreover, the Biosonics Fisheries Acoustics system is the only fisheries acoustics system to digitize the signal at the sensor interface (transducer). This is important as it provides a greater signal to noise ratio then competing systems and thus allows us to detect smaller acoustic targets that may occur in the noise range of the other systems. This difference in signal to noise ratio will result in differences in recorded mean fish size and thus bias estimates of size frequency distributions and abundance. In order to maintain comparability with past data collections, it is essential that GLERL remain with the same vendor of our current fisheries acoustics systems. At GLERL, we maintain two Biosonics fisheries acoustics systems (single frequency split beam system, and a dual frequency split beam system). II. Specifications: The contractor must supply a fisheries acoustic system that meets the following requirements: a) Digital scientific echo sounder system equipped with one 70 KHz frequency ` with expansion option for an additional 120 KHz frequency. b) Split beam digital transducers. c) Underwater housing for deployment in depths up to 200m. d) Compatibility with Ethernet interface; IEEE 802.3 e) Internal data storage and onboard processing. f) Custom software for automated system operation and monitoring. g) Custom software for target analysis and reporting. h) Energy-saving system modifications for buoy deployment i) Dual-axis rotator system (pan and tilt) for aiming and scanning of the transducers. j) Manual and automated scanning operations. II. (1) Software. The system proposed here will add advanced software for system operation, control, and analysis appropriate to a buoy-deployed situation. This software will include: a. System operation monitoring: To power availability, the system will be programmable and function in an automated mode which will acoustically monitor the environment utilizing limited power and to analyze data for presence of targets of interest (in this case, lake trout and whitefish). System status will be monitored and reported on a regular basis. b. Automated area-scanning system: Enabling the transducer(s) to automatically or manually scan a wide area near the buoy. This will allow coverage of the vicinity of the buoy from full-depth below to approximately 250m in all directions to the sides of the buoy. This will also allow the system to concentrate sampling in the areas where fish of interest are most abundant and/or active. On detection of targets of interest (via automated data processing), the system will change operational parameters to more fully sample the environment and the presence and distribution of targets of interest. c. Onboard data storage of operational and detection information for archiving and additional analysis. d. Automated Data Processing: Software for collection, storage, and analysis of data for presence, abundance, size, and distribution of targets of interest will be run continuously to provide near-real-time analysis of acoustic data. e. Automated reporting of relevant information via buoy-system remote connection to shore-based receiving system. II. (2) Functionality. The system will: a. Automatically (or manual override) monitor the area of interest, using two discrete acoustic frequencies, in a low-power / low-data volume mode to detect the presence or absence of targets of interest. b. Send regular system status reports to the system operator utilizing existing buoy communications system. c. On detection of pre-determined levels of target presence, the system will: 1. Send an alert message to the system operator (via existing buoy communications system) indicating that targets have been detected. 2. Automatically modify data interrogation and collection protocol to increase sample rate and volume (to pre-determined levels) while fish of interest are in the vicinity. 3. Send regular summaries of target abundance, distribution, and acoustic target strength and system status to the operator (via existing buoy communications system). d. On detection of reduced of fish abundance (based on results of automated data processing), the system will: 1. Send an alert message to the system operator indicating that target levels have decreased. 2. Automatically modify data interrogation and collection protocol to decrease sampling rate and volume. II. (3) Hardware Specifications: Detailed specifications of scientific fisheries acoustics system include: • 70 kHz Split-Beam Weather Resistant Digital Echo sounders with programmable Linux embedded processor and acquisition software. In addition, echo sounder must have: o Ethernet control expandable to wireless capabilities o Weather resistant laptop computer (Panasonic ToughBook 29, Pentium M 738-1.4GHZ V Centrino, 13.3 transmissive touch XGA, 256MB, 60GB HD, WLAN802.11a+b+g, WinXP SP2 w/ CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive; with acquisition software installed, configured and tested) compatible with echosounder, to operate echosounder and to record digital acoustic data o Integrated Differential GPS o Expandability up to a total of 5 different frequencies with multiplexing capabilities from the single surface echosounder o Noise floor of less than -145 dB o Programmable and variable ping rate to 20 pings per second o Instantaneous dynamic range to 160 dB. o Power: 10-14 VDC @ 20Watts • 70 kHz 6 split beam digital transducers with integrated heading, pitch and roll sensors • 200' digital signal cable with related connectors for applications on underwater fisheries acoustics systems • All components of the acoustic system (e.g., digital echosounder, digital cables, digital transducer, heading-pitch-role sensor, differential GPS, laptop) must be compatible and integrated • Data output must be compatible with Biosonics Visual Analyzer and with Sonar Data Echoview software programs. GLERL has invested in Echoview licenses and buys yearly software support current the data infrastructure. To be considered interested parties must be able to demonstrate their ability to meet or exceed the specifications herein. Firms must furnish detailed specifications and descriptions to demonstrate their capability to provide the scientific echo sounder system and satisfy the Government's needs. Capability information shall include, at a minimum, name, telephone number, and address of concerns for which you have previously furnished this supply, and detailed narrative that describes your ability to provide this supply as specified and descriptive literature. Interested parties must respond within (7) seven days after publication of this notice. If no affirmative responses are received, the government intends to issue a purchase order to the only known source, Biosonics, Inc. The intended procurement is for supplies for which the government intends to acquire under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions Procedures. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one known source under the authority of FAR 6.302. However, the Government will consider all proposals received within 10 calendar days after the date of publication of this notice. This is not a request for proposals and there is no solicitation available at this time. The Government reserves the right to solicit bids based on the receipt of affirmative responses to this notice or issue an order to Biosonic, Inc., whichever is determined to be more advantageous to the Government without further notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Faxed information can be sent to 816-274.6983, Attn: Sharon Walker. The Central Region Administrative Division (CRAD) requires that all contractors doing business with the Acquisition Office must be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in CCR. For additional information and to register in CCR please access the following website: http://www.ccr.gov/. In order to register with the CCR and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at https://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505. The government now requires all contractors submit their Certification and Representation thru the on-line Business Partner Network (BPN). The BPN is the single source for vendor data for the federal government. Contractors should go on-line at www.bpn.gov. Award will not be made to any contractor that is not registered in CCR and BPN. Responses should be faxed to 816-426-7530. Attn: Sharon Walker. Facsimile responses will be accepted at (816) 274-6983. The NAICS code for this action is 334511.
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