Statement_of_Need_acoustic_releases.doc

STATEMENT OF NEED

PURPOSE:

The Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division (AERD) of the NMFS is tasked with providing advice to the DoS and NOAA regarding the status and trends of krill populations as part of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), to which the US is a signatory. Annual biomass surveys are undertaken to determine the relative impact of environmental variability and fishing on krill and krill-dependent predators. The U.S. AMLR Program is pivoting to an instrument-based research program using fixed position subsurface oceanographic moorings equipped with a series of instruments within the 40 inch oval mooring buoy. The subsurface moorings are fixed by high tensile strength Kevlar lines to the bottom using large weights. Recovery of these moorings requires detaching the mooring from the weights using acoustically-triggered releases. Therefore, the AERD has a need for acoustic releases and a deck unit necessary to operate the releases. Because these will be used from a ship in Antarctica, spare parts are also necessary in the event that parts must be replaced in the field. The releases and spare parts must be rated to a depth of 2000 m. Additionally; the deck unit must have a submersible transducer that will enable it to communicate with the releases.

Acoustic Release QTY: 16 Tandem kit QTY: 8 Acoustic release deck unit QTY: 2

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

The acoustic releases must have a release load of at least 300 kg, a depth rating of at least 2000 m, a two-year deployment battery life using alkaline batteries, and function in waters as cold as -1.7oC. The acoustic release must also come with a tandem kit to allow for two acoustic releases to be connected together. The acoustic release deck unit must include a transducer and at least 20 m of cable. The acoustic release deck unit must be portable and water resistant. It must operate at frequencies from 7.5 to 15 kHz, and the operator must be able to select the frequency. It would be helpful if it was able to run the command codes for EdgeTech, ORE Offshore, Benthos, Oceano and MORS acoustic releases.

DELIVERABLE SCHEDULE:

Delivery is 45 days from the award date.