Notice Number: 145025250027SM
Notice Type: Sources Sought Synopsis
Title: Innovasea Acoustic Releases & Accessories
Response Date: 3/14/2025
This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS and is not a pre-solicitation announcement. The purpose of this Market Research and Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified U.S. Domestic businesses, which could include Small Business, HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Women Owned Small Business firms and even Large Businesses. Responses to this Sources Sought Synopsis will be used by the Government in making appropriate acquisition decisions.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL are a multidisciplinary environmental research laboratory that provides scientific understanding to inform the use and management of Great Lakes and coastal marine environments, such as tag deployments. The necessary components for these tag deployments include 48 Innovasea acoustic release receivers (VR2AR-69khz) and 1 live acoustic receiver (RX-LIVE 69 kHz) and the necessary supplies (e.g. cable, VR100 Surface Transponder). These receivers will record pings from tagged fishes within range of a given receiver in the Lake, recording the time and information from any other sensors with which the tag is equipped, which is one of their core missions in the lab. Taken together, the receivers will detect nearby tagged fishes in Lake Michigan. This will include fishes tagged by other research projects as well as from planned NOAA tag deployments. These data will provide new information regarding the habitat preferences and movement patterns of the fish community in Lake Michigan. The GLERL requires receivers like the Innovasea VR2AR-69khz and RX-LIVE 69 kHz to support their data collection in the Great Lakes.
INTENDED USE/PURPOSE:
The VR2AR receiver comes with a built-in transmitter that enables remote communications from the surface with deployed receivers, and also allows remote retrieval of the unit using an integrated acoustic
release - typically within one minute. The VR2AR-X is a longer-life version capable of deployments up to 26 months. The built in transmitter can be used as a sync tag for improved fine scale positioning results and also provides a means to obtain receiver status using a VR100 receiver and a transponding hydrophone. Researchers can get essential information such as unit health, number of detections, tilt, range, temperature, noise, signal strength, data watch tables, and estimated remaining battery life and memory. This is the only known instrument that can meet the Government’s needs, and this notice’s intent is to identify any other products that meet the full requirements listed below.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/ESSENTIAL SALIENT FEATURES:
Frequency
69 kHz
Depth
500 m
Weight
VR2AR: 2350 g (air); 500 g (water)
VR2AR-X: 2746 g (air); 812 g (water)
Dimensions
VR2AR: Length 401 mm
VR2AR-X: Length 465 mm
Diameter: 81 mm
Mooring bracket width: 170 mm
Storage Capacity
32 MBytes non-volatile flash
memory (~3-million detections)
Power
VR2AR: One 3.6 V Lithium D
VR2AR-X: One 3.6 V Lithium DD
Release: One 4 V Lithium AA
Battery Life
VR2AR: Approx. 14 months
VR2AR-X: Approx. 26 months
Release: 5-6 years
Max Test Load
1000 lbs
Max Safe Working Load
250 lbs
Max Release Load
250 lbs
Magnetic Activation Probe for acoustic receivers
RX-LIVE 69 kHz Cabled Acoustic Receiver with External Connector
ASCII output enabled, RS485 cable not included, Requires external power
High Speed RS-485 Communication Interface for HR2 and HR3 receivers
Includes Fathom software, USB interface box and 10m of cable (software
requires Windows 7 or higher)
VR100 – Surface Transponder and Manual Tracking Acoustic Receiver.
(Model VR100-300)
Supports 8 channels and detection of 69kHz and 180kHz PPM transmitter
platforms.
VHTx 69kHz Transponding Hydrophone 25 meter waterproof cable for VR100
DELIVERY SCHEDULE:
Deliver by August, 1 2025.
The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334513 with a size standard of 750 employees.
Interested firms shall provide, in writing, a brief narrative (no more than 3 pages in length) and documentation to support your firm’s capability and experience meeting the requirements herein and include your firm’s name, address, point of contact, telephone number, UEID Number, CCR CAGE Number, business type and size (i.e., small, large, non-profit, educational, etc.). Any response that does not include this information will not be considered. The Government will review your response to determine if your firm has the experience, knowledge and capability to provide the items as specified above.
This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. Nor does this request for information constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that any procurement action may be issued for the Government’s requirements.
No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise because of the submission of contractor’s information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.
All contractors doing business with the Government are required to be registered and active with the System for Award Management (SAM) website.
NOTE: THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT CONSIDERED A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL BUT A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. No solicitation document is available. No contract will be awarded based on responses received to this notice.
