Shadowgraph Camera System and Integration into Glider

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY The Government is currently conducting market research to gather information and identify potential sources for the requirement identified below. A solicitation is not available at this time, and requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the United States Government. NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Acquisition Office is seeking potential vendors to provide the integration of a low power shadowgraph camera system that can be programmed to collect individual images at a variety of time lapse intervals (<= 0.1 second to 1 hour), and bursts (multiple, at least 5, successive images acquired at <= 0.05 second interval) is required to image the water during deployments. Shadowgraph camera here is meant as an imaging system with a camera with tele-centric lens imaging a volume of water illuminated using a collimated light located on the opposite side of the volume and directed at the lens, providing backlighting for the semi-transparent targets passing through the imaged volume. All targets with lengths of 100 micrometers to 50 millimeters within the imaged volume must be in focus, resolvable and measurable. The shadowgraph camera images will provide data necessary to validate the acoustic data being collected by the gliders, essentially being able to differentiate Antarctic krill (lengths 10 to 60 mm) from other organisms, and will provide data to identify and fully differentiate other, smaller 100 um to 25mm plankton taxa. Please provide the following information as requested: A statement that you believe that your firm has the capability to meet these requirements and perform these services. Please include relevant experience and other pertinent information that demonstrates your ability to complete the requirement. Your firm's DUNS number & CAGE code; Your firm's SBA certified small business concern status. Specifically identify if your firm is a small business, HUBZone-certified, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Woman Owned or SBA 8(a) program certified; All information received in response to this notice shall be treated as Business Sensitive or confidential to the responder, exempt from public release under the Freedom of Information Act. 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. Proprietary information submitted should be marked appropriately. All submitted information shall remain with the U.S. Government and will not be returned. The response date for this request for information is no later than COB November 27, 2017. No calls will be accepted. All responses may be submitted via e-mail to Karen Beck, Contracting Officer, contact@example.gov. Attached: Draft Statement of Work