NOTICE TO BIDDERS Sealed bids will be received in the Office of the Director of Procurement Services, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5003, Bond Hall, Room 214, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, until Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:00 p

Sealed bids for a high-resolution Side Scan Sonar (SSS) system are invited by The University of Southern Mississippi under solicitation number 9280-26-R-IFBD-00048, with bids due by 2:00 p.m. CT on June 9, 2026, at the Office of the Director of Procurement Services in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The procurement is for a complete marine research system including a lightweight tow fish with dual-frequency CHIRP sonar (400/900 kHz), a 60+ meter tow cable, v-fin depressor, safety recovery system, telemetry options, and a top-side processor capable of real-time image processing, GPS integration via NMEA0183, and data storage in XTF/JSF formats. The system must meet stringent technical specifications including a minimum resolution of 3 cm at 400 kHz, depth capability of at least 175 meters, and compliance with NOAA SSS performance standards requiring a 1-meter object on the seafloor to be ensonified at least three times per pass. Delivery is required FOB to the University’s Marine Research Center in Gulfport, Mississippi, with full integration, operational testing, and on-site training at the same location. Bids must include detailed technical documentation such as operations manuals, software specifications, and sensor drawings, along with a minimum one-year warranty and compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, particularly regarding PII data protection and equal opportunity employment. The award will be made to the lowest responsible bidder whose proposal fully complies with all technical and administrative requirements, with no consideration for alternate bids unless explicitly authorized and accompanied by full specifications and brand-name equivalency documentation. Vendors must submit one signed original and one signed copy of their bid, plus a virus-free electronic copy on a thumb drive, and are strongly encouraged to deliver physically rather than electronically to ensure timely processing. Bids exceeding $50,000 require a Certificate of Responsibility, while all bids must be submitted without modifications after opening and conform strictly to the solicitation’s packaging, labeling, and documentation instructions. Invoices must be sent electronically to ITInvoices@usm.edu, and final acceptance of the system is subject to the University’s inspection and approval within 90 days of delivery, with no payment obligation until formal acceptance is granted.