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This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation and proposals are being requested.

Requisition Number W912HZ23R2770 is being issued as a request for proposal (RFP) with intent to award as a single contract. The solicitation document and incorporated provision and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2023-01. This requirement is set aside for small businesses under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 334310 with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 employees.

The US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) 3909 Halls Ferry Road, Vicksburg MS 39180-6199 has a requirement for sixteen (16) broadband acoustic transducer systems to be used as an acoustic deterrent system (ADS).

Quotes are due March 8 by 12:00 PM (Eastern Time Zone): Quotes must be provided in accordance with FAR 52.212-1. Quotes will be accepted by email only to: crystal.e.north@usace.army.mil. For information concerning this solicitation contact Crystal North via email at the above email address.

Please provide the following information with your Quote: Please see attached document for this information

Background/Problem Description of Work

Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are a national concern to the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Infrastructure, such as dams and locks, disrupt the movement of aquatic animals in general. Recently, national interest has grown on using USACE locks and dams as points to manage ANS movement. Invasive carp (IC) that have established themselves in the Mississippi River basin, increasing the potential for IC to invade the Great Lakes waters. IC have negative effects on the ecology of the Mississippi River basin, consequently leading to social, biological, and economic impacts, which would be devastating to the Great Lakes communities, economy, and the environment.

The sole prevention of IC establishment from the Mississippi River into the Great Lakes rests on a single series of electric barriers located in the Chicago Area Waterway System (CAWS). As with most non-structural barriers (NSB), NSBs are not 100% effective. Additional deterrent and/or supplements systems to the electric barrier would greatly improve the efficacy of deterring IC movement into the Great Lakes through redundancy and ability to target life stages and motivation states of ANS.

Several AC deterrent technologies (i.e., electrical, carbon dioxide and sound) are under consideration to prevent these fishes from moving through Brandon Road Lock and Dam (BRLD), a gateway to the upper Des Plaines River, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and the Chicago River. The University of Minnesota (UMN) and US Geological Survey (USGS) have conducted laboratory and limited field tests using complex sound (broadband 50-23999 Hz) to examine sensory and behavioral changes of AC. Accordingly, regional biologists and the public have embraced the idea that the projection of underwater sound alone can specifically target AC, resulting in their avoidance and therefore non-use of locks as passage. Therefore, there is a need to develop a fish acoustics deterrent system (ADS).

ADS will be deployed at locks and in approach channels, a very difficult environment to ensonify. Transducers will have to tolerate navigation of large tow-barges propeller wash and cavitation, debris moving at a high force from vessels and the flushing lock, sediment loading and scouring, and only be maintained year every two to three years.

The following items are needed:

16 ct. 1424HP Lubell (PRO) with wet mateable Subconn MCBH3MSS

16 ct. AC1224HP (PRO) bridging transformer box

16 ct. Subconn MCIL3F/MCDLS-F on 380 foot 12/13 SOOW raw (not terminated) on bridging transformer end

Option:

16 ct. Subconn MCBH3MSS

Performance Requirements

Currently, ERDC is need of military grade transducers for performance testing to design acoustic arrays for USACE lock approach channels.

Speaker specification are as follows:

• Piezoelectric underwater acoustic transducer

• Test data on the speaker performance across a frequency range by sound pressure levels (dB 1 re μPa @ 1 m).

• Frequency range 200 Hz to greater than 8000 Hz, omni-directional

• Loudness greater than 170 dB across the frequency range of 200-8000 Hz

• Ability to be placed between 9-40 feet without compensation

• Wet contact, military grade connectors (i.e., Seacon connectors) MCIL3F // MCDLS-F // (PRO) Subconn SOOW

• Speaker housing to withstand harsh environments (i.e., not pools) made of steel or cast iron

• Speaker housing to withstand corrosion (Mil-C-5541 specification) and with a secondary coating of LINEX

• Housing capable of being placed in a cage without damage to adhering the cage to the speaker

• Speakers designed for continuous long-term playback when driven by 75-80 Vrms, no more than 14 Amps, and ability to be used with off the shelf amplifiers

• Cables that are a minimum of 75 feet without power compensation to ensure speakers can reach shore without added equipment needing to be placed in the lock channel; when appropriate have up to 700 feet with power compensation on the shoreline.

Details on overarching specification’s:

1) Piezoelectric underwater acoustic transducer: uses the piezoelectric effect for generating sound. The initial mechanical motion is created by applying a voltage to a piezoelectric material, and this motion is typically converted into audible sound using diaphragms and resonators. Compared to other speaker designs piezoelectric speakers are relatively easy to drive; for example they can be connected directly to TTL outputs, although more complex drivers can give greater sound intensity. Typically they operate well in the range of 1-5kHz and up to 100kHz in ultrasound applications.

2) Test data on the speaker performance across a frequency range by sound pressure levels (dB 1 re μPa @ 1 m): due to the use of the speakers for long-term installation at BRLD (and ERDC’s current testing of the equipment), the manufacturer should be able to provide basic test data on the speakers performance such as power consumption, transmit voltage across frequency, impedance magnitude across the frequencies, and sound pressure level across the frequency ranges.

3) Frequency range 200 Hz to greater than 8000 Hz, omni-directional: this is based discussions with and peer-reviewed literature on the hearing ranges of Asian carp. The speakers must be able to produce sound over this broad frequency range and do so with stability in the signal (i.e., at similar decibels).

4) Loudness greater than or 180 dB across the frequency range of 200-8000 Hz: this is based on ERDC 2017 work for LRC in which we developed a detailed sound map of BRLD approach lock. The speakers must be able to produce enough sound pressure (decibels) over 25 feet so that at 25 feet the perceived decibels is greater than 160 dB and do so with stability in the signal (i.e., at similar decibels).

5) Ability to be placed between 9-40 feet without compensation: USACE L19 approach channel is 9-40 feet deep. The speakers will be placed on the bottom of the channel in a Soundbar.

6) Wet contact, military grade connectors (i.e., Seacon connectors): this will be needed for deployment of the speakers and the ability to hot-swap the speakers without a full deconstruction of the engineered channel. It also acts as a safety feature for staff in the area due the greater reduced potential for electrical shock. MCIL3F // MCDLS-F // (PRO) Subconn SOOW, specially to ensure proper fit with the current Lock 19 Soundbar equipment and soundbar manufacturing.

7) Speaker housing to withstand harsh environments (i.e., not pools) made of steel or cast iron: as mentioned the speakers will be places in an approach lock. Between the flushing water, debris from the river and vessels and prop wash, the speakers must be made of strong materials that can tolerate the approach channel conditions.

8) Speaker housing to withstand corrosion (Mil-C-5541 specification): this is a fairly common standard for underwater vessels.

9) Housing capable of being placed in a cage without damage to adhering the cage to the speaker.

10) Speakers designed for continuous long-term playback when driven by 75-80 Vrms, no more than 14 Amps, and ability to be used with off the shelf amplifiers.

11) Cables that are 300 feet without power compensation to ensure speakers can reach shore without added equipment needing to be placed in the lock channel; when appropriate have up to 700 feet with power compensation on the shoreline.

Delivery date required:

Base: Preferably before, but no later than April 5, 2023

Option: Within 30 days of option exercised, or with base items if exercised at award of base.

Shipment will be made to:

USACE-ERDC

3909 Halls Ferry Rd.

Bldg. 3270, Rm 1818

BASIS FOR AWARD

The Government intends to award one contract to the responsible offeror whose quote is responsive to the solicitation, technically acceptable, and is the lowest price.

In order for the quote to be technically acceptable it must:

Meet the listed performance requirements

Meet the details on overreaching specifications

Meet delivery requirements

Quote all five (5) line items

Each quote will be evaluated for technical acceptability and price.

Vendors should include the final date an order must be placed in order to achieve the required delivery date, and confirm whether or not they can meet the delivery timeline for options.

Applicable Clauses and Provision: Listed in attached document.

Attachments/Links