A -- CONTINUE EVALUATION OF A PULSE POWER DEVICE TO CONTROL ZEBRA MUSSELS

Notice Date

May 10, 2001

Contracting Office

USACE Vicksburg District, 4155 Clay Street, Vicksburg, MS 39180-3435

ZIP Code

39180-3435

Solicitation Number

DACW42-01-T-0057

Response Due

May 25, 2001

Point of Contact

Tina M. Landes, (601) 631-5356, Contract Specialist

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact the MVK Contracting Office point (Tina.M.Landes@mvk02.usace.army.mil)

Description

The USAE, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) proposes to issue a sole source contract to Beak Consultants Inc., Lancaster, NY, to continue evaluation of a pulse power device to control zebra mussels. ERDC will conduct tests of pulsed power fields, using a device engineered by Megapulse, Inc., to control immature zebra mussels. Tests conducted with the pulse power device in previous years (i.e., prior to re-engineering), conducted with a unit that was only partially operational, still effectively reduced settlement between 43 and 93 percent. The study proposed here-in, to be conducted in 2001, is designed to continue the evaluation of the effects of pulsed power electric fields on zebra mussel settlement and infrastructure fouling using the re-engineered Megapulse device as configured in the 2000 veliger tests. As part of the fouling evaluation, planktonic mussel testing will again be performed initially, on a limited scale, to verify that the device is operating as in 2000. This effort will also determine the extent of mortality on the less mature D-form veliger that were not available in sufficient numbers to be effectively evaluated in 2000 tests. To further optimize the device an optional, more extensive, planktonic (D-/umbonal form) test program will be incorporated into the base program. This program will test the effect of changing certain operating parameters of the Megapulse device and/or the test cell. Parameters to be tested will include pulse-duration, -shape, -amplitude, -polarity and -rate as well as test cell configuration. To test these parameters, Megapulse will be required to add variable controls to the device and/or Beak Consultants will redesign and construct a new in-line electrode test cell. Beak Consultants is the only known source who has experience with this device and who can conduct these tests. This study is critical to the Corps of Engineers' Environmental Laboratory (Aquatic Ecology and Invasive Species Branch) research and development program. A firm fixed-price contract will be awarded utilizing the Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Any other responsible source able to provide the supplies referenced above is encouraged to respond to this announcement within 15 days after its publication. This is not a request for quotations and there is no solicitation available at this time. See numbered Notes 1 and 22.

Web Link

There is no solicitation available at this time. (Not Applicable.)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010514/ASOL001.HTM (W-130 SN50L7Y9)