9280-25-R-IFBD-00015

The University of Southern Mississippi is soliciting sealed bids for a highly specialized Ultrashort Baseline (USBL) Mobile/Rapidly Relocatable Acoustic Tracking System (MRRATC) to support research programs in Naval Mine Countermeasures, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, and Meteorological and Oceanographic (METOC) applications. The procurement requires a comprehensive system including a surface Navigation Sensor Hub, Computer control system, four Vector Seafloor USBL Position Reference Transponders, four Vehicle Mounted Acoustic Transponders, a Surface Telemetry Transceiver, and a Long Baseline (LBL) Telemetry Transceiver. Vendors must provide complete system software packages, detailed product documentation, and comprehensive training on system operation, maintenance, and integration. The bid requires vendors to demonstrate a proven record of developing similar USBL and LBL systems. Key technical requirements include specific specifications for operating depth, frequency bandwidth, transducer performance, power requirements, and communication interfaces. The bid is due on October 9, 2024, in the Office of Procurement Services at 118 College Drive #5003, Bond Hall, Room 214, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, with the University reserving the right to accept or reject any part of the bid.

The solicitation does not explicitly specify set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Optional components include a subsurface modem, two additional small vehicle mounted transceivers, and two omni-directional hydrophones. The procurement requires vendors to provide a minimum one-year warranty covering both hardware and software components. While specific budget ranges are not detailed in the available documentation, the technical complexity of the USBL tracking system suggests a significant investment in specialized marine research equipment. The procurement is specifically tied to Greene County, Mississippi (FIPS Code 28041), and is associated with the University of Southern Mississippi's research infrastructure. Potential vendors will need to demonstrate technical expertise in acoustic tracking systems, underwater communication technologies, and the ability to integrate sophisticated marine research equipment with existing research platforms.