9280-25-R-IFBD-00057

The University of Southern Mississippi is seeking sealed bids for a comprehensive Ultrashort Baseline (USBL) Tracking and Acoustic Communications System for the Roger F. Wicker Center for Ocean Enterprise, located in Gulfport, Mississippi. The procurement, designated as Bid No. 25-50 and RFx number 3160007366, requires a sophisticated marine research tracking system capable of tracking multiple transponders with a minimum range of 4000m and 120-degree coverage. Key technical requirements include compatibility with existing Sonardyne AvTrakG transponders, sound speed profile compensation, an integrated motion reference unit, high-precision timing, and specific accuracy standards for range, pitch, roll, and heading. The system must support direct asynchronous communications among transponders and a topside station, with particular emphasis on applications in Naval Mine Countermeasures, Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, and Meteorological and Oceanographic programs. Bids are due on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. CT, to be submitted to the Office of the Director of Procurement Services at 118 College Drive #5003, Bond Hall, Room 214, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

The solicitation does not explicitly outline specific set-aside designations or restrictions for disadvantaged enterprises. Vendors must demonstrate proven experience in developing USBL and Long Baseline systems, with references from successful deployments within the past two years. The university prefers systems exempt from US International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Vendor responsibilities include providing comprehensive training, onsite commissioning, and support at the USM facility in Gulfport, with a minimum one-year warranty required. While no specific budget range is disclosed in the available documents, the procurement appears to be for a sophisticated marine research technology system. The University of Southern Mississippi reserves the right to reject any or all bids, suggesting flexibility in the final vendor selection. The procurement will be published in local publications on May 8 and May 15, 2025, to ensure broad vendor awareness and participation.