U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, Central Administrative Support Center, 601 East 12th St., CC32:MLW, RM 1756, Kansas City, MO 64106

52 -- OPTICAL PLANKTON COUNTER SYSTEM SOL NRMGF000630424MW DUE 100496 POC Mamie L. Wandick (816) 426-6823, Ext. 237 The government intends to procure an optical plankton counter (OPC) system. This requirement is for an OPC-2T system which includes underwater unit, users guide, test cable and transit case. It also requires an OPC-2D deck unit which includes OPC software with GPS and manual, a depth sensor (500 PSI) which includes transducer and modifications to the OPC-2T and software. A flow sensor option which includes G02031 sensor and modifications to OPC-2T and software . It must also include one firmware for interfacing OS-200 CTD and software to read and display OS-200 CTD data. The system must be towable and work on the principal of light blockage to count and size zooplankton between 250 microns and 20 mm equivalent spherical diameter as well as light attenuation of suspended particles. The unit must be of light weight ((4 kg), have a sampling aperture not less than 20 X 100 mm, and be towable at speeds of 0.5 to 6 m/s, and operable to depths up to 300 m with a count rate of up to 200/s. The unit must include a flow meter and depth sensor. The towable optical plankton counter should be part of a larger system that gives onboard real-time output (at 0.5 to 1 sec intervals) from the OPC of flow rate, GPS location, particle size and concentration, depth, and light attenuation. The OPC hardware and software should allow it to serve as an interface for a fluorometer and CTD so that when the instruments are combined as a package, the data stream will allow addition of chlorophyll fluorescence, and temperature. The OPC will be mounted on a small V-fin ((1 m span) or other tow body for deployment from a small boat (23 foot or 26 foot long) in a depth undulating mode along transects to give joint spatial (horizontal and depth) distributions of zooplankton (size and concentration), chlorophyll, temperature, and light beam attenuation. This procurement is proposed sole source. If there are no other qualified vendors the procurement will be issued to Focal Technologies, Inc. of Nova Scotia, Canada. A Request for Quotation (RFQ) will be issued on or about September 18, 1996. Interested parties should submit their interest within 15 calendar days from the date of the CBD announcement. Copies of the RFQ may be requested in writing by faxing a request to (816) 426-7530. Satisfactory receipt of the request is the sole responsibility of the sender. (0242)

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