Clump Sensor, Depth Sensor, and Accessories

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY - Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government. The intent of this announcement and the information provided in response to this notice will assist the Government in identify ALL potential sources to include small businesses and socio-economic sources that are capable and qualified to furnish the required equipment. Small businesses are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort, 334419, as those domestic sources having 500 employees or less. Please include your company's size classification in any response to this notice. The Northeast Fisheries Science Center of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in Woods Hole, MA is soliciting information, on behalf of the Ecosystems Survey Branch for trawl mensuration equipment for use in the Northeast Fisheries Science Center's (NEFSC) bottom trawl survey, aboard the NOAA ship Henry B. Bigelow. BACKGROUND The Northeast Fisheries Science Center conducts a biannual, fishery-independent, bottom trawl survey aboard the NOAA Ship Henry B. Bigelow. The NEFSC bottom trawl survey provides critical data utilized in stock assessments and fishery management decisions for more than 45 commercial species of the Northwest Atlantic Ocean. To evaluate trends in fishery abundance and distribution the survey design is standardized, including gear type, survey protocols and gear performance. Since 2003, the NEFSC has used net mensuration equipment to measure and monitor trawl gear geometry and performance to ensure survey standardization over time. REQUIREMENT The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) is seeking to purchase the following trawl mensuration equipment (see Attachment 1 for specifications and salient characteristics) as Brand name or Equal: - Qty 1: Scanmar SS4 Wing Clumpsensor SS4-C-VTLA, with function license for Distance Master - Qty 1: Scanmar SS4 Wing Clumpsensor SS4-C-VTLA, with function license for Distance Slave - Qty 1: Scanmar SS4 Depth Sensor SS4VTL-D, with function licenses for Depth and Temperature - Qty 4: Scanmar HC4 Battery for Trawl Sounder and Trawl Speed - Qty 1: Scanmar Battery Charger and Programming Unit QBC-X1 SPECIFICATIONS SS4 ClumpSensor: - Provides accurate distance between clump(s) and both doors on twin and triple trawls - Multifunctional; Distance, Angle, Depth, Temperature, Tension and Bottom contact - Robust construction protects against damage and wear - Operation Time: up to 700 hours on clump - Quick battery charging - long lasting lithium-ion batteries - 10.8V/7200 mAh - Upgrade to include functions for Distance Master and Slave - 5 year warranty SSR DepthSensor: - Provides accurate information of the sinking speed and depth - Easily programmable for use under various conditions - Durable construction with double casting of the electronics to protect against strokes, tension, or dragging along bottom - Operation time: 100 - 700 hours - Quick battery charging - long lasting lithium-ion batteries - 10.8V/7200 mAh - Upgraded to include functions for Depth and Temperature Battery Charger and Programming Unit: - Small screen showing charging and sensor data - Charge all Scanmar standard sensors - Shows how much power is left on battery and how long a full charge will take - Able to reprogram sensors so that the user can regroup the sensors into new configurations - Able to select sensor's function through the charger DELIVERABLES The Contractor shall be able to provide the above requirements no later than August 31, 2014. SHIP TO: NOAA Fisheries, Ecosystems Surveys Branch, 166 Water Street, Woods Hole, MA 02543 CAPABILITIES PACKAGE All interested parties that can provide the specified products shall submit a capabilities package identifying the net mensuration equipment as specified. If the specific Scanmar equipment cannot be provide than submit a capabilities package explicitly demonstrate the ability to provide an "equal" net mensuration equipment as specified in this announcement. The capabilities package shall be emailed to Lauren.Kirkpatrick@noaa.gov no later than the response date for this sources sought notice. The package must include specifications and any other information relevant to your product or capabilities as it directly applies to this requirement. All response and response contents to this notice will be considered information only and will not be binding on the parties. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States government. Responses to this notice are due via email to Lauren.Kirkpatrick@noaa.gov no later than June 3, 2014 at 5:00 p.m (Eastern Time). Only electronic submissions will be allowed or by the below fax number. Point of Contact is Lauren Kirkpatrick, Contracting Officer at (508) 495-2112 or Lauren.Kirkpatrick@noaa.gov. Alternate point of contact is Kelly Taranto, Contracting Officer at Kelly.Taranto@noaa.gov. No telephone responses will be accepted.