Department of Commerce, NOAA, 200 World Trade Center, Room 209, Norfolk, VA 23510-1624

A -- ACOUSTIC RELEASE SYSTEM FOR BUOY (END) OF OFFSHORE LOBSTER TRAP GEAR SOL RFQ EASC 98-0065 DUE 091598 POC Carolyn Collins, Contract Specialist (757) 441-6886, Lynne Phipps, Contracting Officer (757) 441-6881 WEB: RFQ EASC 98-0065, http://www.easc.noaa.gov. E-MAIL: Carolyn Collins, Carolyn.D.Collins@noaa.gov. The National Marine Fisheries Service has a requirement for the design, test, and development of a prototype acoustic release system for the buoy (end) line of offshore lobster trap gear. The system must be compatible with existing lobster gear and the equipment used to fish this type of gear. The system should be designed so individual trawls would have distinctive activation signals, and in the process of resetting gear is not unduly cumbersome. The contractor shall be required to produce the prototype device, conduct laboratory and field tests under fishing conditions on offshore lobster vessels, prepare a written report presenting the results of the testing, and provide technical specifications and engineering drawings of the device. Anticipated issue date of RFQ EASC 98-0065 is August 28, 1998 with a closing date of September 15, 1998. Requests for a copy of the solicitation must be in writing. Telephone requests will not be honored. Fax requests to (757) 441-3786. All responsible concerns may submit a proposal which this agency will consider. This is a Simplified Acquisition with an estimated value of less then $100,000. See Note 26. Posted 08/20/98 (W-SN239457). (0232)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0011 19980824\A-0011.SOL)