U.S. Dept. of Commerce, NOAA, WASC, Acquisition Management Division, Contracts Branch A WC31, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, BIN C15700, Seattle, WA 98115

52 -- MATERIALS TO TEST BELT CONVEYER SCALES SOL WC31-97-1 DUE 010797 POC MAIL ONLY: U.S. Dept. of Commerce, WASC, Attn: Procurement Assistant, Contracts Branch A WC31, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bin C15700, SEATTLE WA 98115. This is a SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUNCEMENT only. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is seeking information on the existence and availability of firms that could supply materials to be used to test belt conveyor scales on processor vessels participating in the groundfish fisheries off Alaska. These scales would be required by NMFS to undergo an initial inspection by an authorized weights and measures inspector and be tested periodically by vessel crew while the vessel is at sea. The primary test of the scale will be a ''materials test'' in which the scale being tested is used to weigh a quantity of material of known weight. The most appropriate material to use in this test is the same material that the scale normally is used to weigh which, in this case, would be fish However, it is not feasible to use fish in initial inspections of the belt conveyor scales because these inspections will occur when the vessel is tied up to a dock. In addition, obtaining and handling small amounts of fish to perform daily materials tests on the vessel may interfere with the vessel's processing operations. NMFS is seeking information about firms that could supply an alternative material for these materials tests. The material should reproduce the shape, size, and character of fish as much as possible (oblong or tube shaped, approximately 2 to 3 pounds per piece, soft, etc.). In addition, if loose material such as sand or ''beans'' are used, this material must be securely contained in a package that will not deteriorate in the presence of salt water, can withstand repeated handling, and be conveyed on metal and plastic conveyor belts. The material would be required to be delivered to Seattle, Washington. Any firms interested in supplying an alternative material for testing belt conveyor scales should provide the following information in writing: company name, mailing address, telephone number, point of contact, brief description of the proposed alternative material, and any additional information that the firm would like to have included in a future solicitation. Issuance of this announcement does not obligate the Government to award a contract. Interested sources should submit the above referenced information to the above address, citing WC31-97-1. Responses are due by January 7, 1997. (0320)

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