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

99 -- STATIONARY FISHING GEAR BREAKAWAY SYSTEM SOL RFQ EASC 99-0140 DUE 081799 POC Lynne Phipps, Contract Specialist (757) 441-6881, Melvyn DesJarlais, Contracting Officer (757) 441-6647 WEB: RFQ EASC 99-0140, http://www.easc.noaa.gov. E-MAIL: Lynne Phipps, Lynn.B.Phipps@noaa.gov. The National Marine Fisheries Service has a requirement for the design, test, and development of a prototype for a low cost system for a weak link and a means of thwarting the link at the bottom of the buoy line of stationary fishing gear. The device (weak link) shall break at a load of 1100 pounds if a whale becomes entangled in the buoy line and pulls on the gear. It shall not be strong enough for the gear to be lifted or hauled back. However, a means of securing this device shall be used by the fisherman before he retrieves his gear, and this will allow him to haul the nets or traps. The system shall be compatible with existing commercial gear and the equipment used to fish the gear. It should be designed so the process of resetting the gear is not unduly cumbersome. The contractor shall be required to produce the prototype device, conduct dry (lab) tests and field tests under fishing conditions, and complete a written report presenting the results of the testing and provide technical specificationsand engineering drawings of the device. The final prototype device(s) will become the property of the Government. Rights to the design will be in the public domain. Any party interested in receiving a copy of the solicitation shall provide written notice to the Contracting Office. The solicitation document will be issued on or about July 30, 1999. Fax requests to (757) 441-3786. Telephone requests will not be accepted. No contract award will be made on the basis of quotations received in response to this notice since this synopsis cannot be considered a Request for Quotation. The resultant contract will be firm fixed price. All responses from responsible sources will be considered. This is a simplified acquisition with a value of less than $100,000. See Note 26. Posted 07/16/99 (W-SN355228). (0197)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0418 19990720\99-0002.SOL)