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Sources Sought – Next generation optical stereo-camera systems to be used in fisheries surveys throughout the pacific THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION, NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE... Sources Sought – Next generation optical stereo-camera systems to be used in fisheries surveys throughout the pacific THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION, NOR DOES IT GUARANTEE A SOLICITATION WILL BE ISSUED. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE. The Government is a requesting information from interested vendors for the purpose of market research. Failing to provide a response to this announcement will not prohibit/exclude any interested vendors from proposing on a future solicitation. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) is seeking a contractor to provide the next generation optical stereo-camera systems to be used in fisheries surveys throughout the pacific. Background: The Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center (PIFSC) conducts research supporting domestic and international management of living marine resources across the Pacific Islands region, the largest geographical area within NMFS jurisdiction. The PIFSC is responsible for assessment of the Hawaii Deep 7 bottomfish stock, which is socio-economically and culturally important to the community. Currently, PIFSC uses the Modular Optical Underwater Survey System (MOUSS) to estimate the species-specific, size-structured, abundance of Deep 7 species [Amin et. al., 2017; Miller et., 2020]. The MOUSS is an optical stereo-imaging system designed for the in situ visual sampling of fish assemblages. This system is rated to 500 meters and its low-light, stereo, monochrome cameras enable identification, counting, and sizing of individuals, generally at ranges of 0.5–4.5 meters and at depths of up to 250 meters in Hawaiian waters. The modular nature of the MOUSS also allows for the efficient and cost-effective use of various imaging sensors, power systems, and deployment platforms. While the MOUSS system remains operational for fishery surveys, the current component configuration is nearing its 10-year anniversary. Significant advancements in camera sensor and microcomputer technology as well as increases in cost-efficiency over this 10-year period are prompting NOAA to consider improvements to the current system configuration. The current system is capable of detecting, imaging, and allowing for species-level taxonomic classification and measurement of Deep 7 targets ranging in size from 5 - 100 centimeters total length, using ambient light to depths of approximately 250 meters and ranges of 0.5 - 4.5 meters, with measurement precision of ±5 mm and human classification accuracy of 80%. Ideally, we would like to image targets at depths up to 400 meters. The following Statement of Objectives outlines the government’s needs and requirements. This document is not a design specification. Potential contractors are encouraged to propose creative, appropriate, and economical options to meet the government’s needs. Statement of Objectives Operational Scenario NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC is seeking a contractor to provide the next generation optical stereo-camera systems to be used in fisheries surveys throughout the pacific. The final deliverable will be a cost-effective, modular, self-contained, underwater, ambient light, stereo-imaging sensor package including all necessary cameras, electronics, power supply, underwater housing(s), cabling, connectors, and other components allowing for successfully operation by minimally trained field technicians for extended day light periods (8 hours per day for 30 consecutive days) from small (6 meter), open-deck, survey vessels in varying conditions up to and including Beaufort 5. The process of image recording, image storage, and output file creation must take place with minimal user input. Where user input is required, a physical graphical user interface must be provided. Optical data produced by the system must be able to integrate into the existing MOUSS data time series either through statistical tests showing no significant difference in target detection, classification accuracy, or measurement precision, or through the development of robust and stable calibration factors. Overall system Requirements Working depth: 500 meters. Maximum dry weight of electronics package (cameras, controller, data acquisition, power supply, housings): 20 kg. Maximum dimensions: 45 cm x 20 cm x 100 cm. Protective cage to allow for preservation of internal components during ship-based field deployment and to facilitate attachment of ground and surface tackle. Ability to withstand constant vibration and repeated drops of up to 0.5 meters onto hard surfaces. External, removable, shippable battery capable of powering the full system for 8 hours per day with a nightly recharge time of not more than 4 hours. Programmable for delayed start and recording times of 5 to 60 minutes in increments of not more than 5 minutes. System Status Indicator allowing for in-field, external, visual verification of system status and complete operational readiness prior to deployment to minimize data loss due to system malfunction. Graphical, physical, or other non-command line interface for system configuration and operation. Full system functionality (including data transfer) during on-deck operations in the tropical sun. Desirable Options External indication of a successful data acquisition upon recovery of the system. External indication of deployment metadata (e.g. time stamped filenames). Integrated GPS to collect deployment location and time. Integrated depth and temperature sensors. Depth: Range: 0 m - 500 m. Accuracy: ±1%. Resolution: 0.05%. Temperature: Accuracy: ±0.2?C Resolution: 0.05?C Ability to measure current profile. Ability to incorporate external sensor modules (e.g artificial light module). Optical Stereo-System Requirements: Imaging system Capable of detecting, imaging, and allowing species-level taxonomic classification and measurement of Deep 7 targets ranging in size from 5 - 100 centimeters total length, at depths of 75 - 400 meters and ranges of 0.5 - 4.5 meters, with measurement precision of ±5 mm and human classification accuracy of 80%. Resolution of each camera shall be not less than 1936 (H) x 1456 (V) (2.82 Mega pixels). Field of view comparable to existing MOUSS camera (82? diagonal, 4.8 mm). Synched Monochrome low light stereo-cameras comparable to existing MOUSS cameras. Data Acquisition Paired stereo image acquisition at 12 frames per second (fps) or higher. Data output shall be frame by frame synchronized avi videos with minimal image quality degradation. Video .avi codec compatible with SeaGIS EventMeasure (https://www.seagis.com.au/event.html) Ability to download 8 hours of acquired data (videos) in 2 hours or less. Ability to download acquired data without opening pressure housings. Desirable options Still image data outputs such as RAW, JPEG, TIFF, GeoTIFF, and SGI, and video data output such as MP4. Wireless data transfer (in addition to wired). Removable storage allowing acquired data to be offloaded and stored without need of an external computer. References cited Amin, R., Richards, B.L., Misa, W.F.X.E., Taylor, J.T., Miller, D.R., Rollo, A.K., Demarke, C., Singh, H., Young, G.C., Childress, J., Ossolinski, J.E., Reardon, R.T., & Koyanagi, K.H., 2017. The modular optical underwater camera survey system. Sensors. 17 (2309), 14 p. https://doi.org/10.3390/s17102309 Miller-Greene, D.R., Amin, R., Taylor, J.T, and Asher, J., 2020. MOUSS Protocol for the Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. NOAA Technical Memorandum NMFS-PIFSC-102 https://doi.org/10.25923/7q3t-yk14 Interested Contractors are requested to provide the following information in response to this Sources Sought Notice: 1) A statement that you believe your firm has the capability to meet the government’s objectives. 2) Your firm's DUNS number & CAGE code; 3) Your firm's SBA certified small business concern status. Specifically identify if your firm is HUBZone-certified, Woman Owned Small Business-certified with SBA, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, or in the SBA’s 8(a) program. If your firm is not small, please state that it is a large business. 4) A brief description of your firm's recent past experience (within the past 5 years) relevant to the current project. 5) Responses to the following items. Based on the design objectives and other information provided, what do you estimate as the rough order of magnitude price to provide a first article product? The Government estimates a need for approximately 10 units the first year and then 5 units per year going forward. What do you estimate the price per production unit will be? Describe production quantities where we might expect price breaks. Discuss the feasibility of developing a system that has interchangeable cameras so that for low light situations a more sensitive imager can be used and for other situations a different imager can be used. Discuss the feasibility and cost sensitivity of developing open-source software and a graphical user interface for system operation. What is your approach to software & hardware support and upgrades? Describe your organization’s approach to this project. Who will be responsible for system integration and testing? How will coordination with subassembly or sub-system developers occur? Who will provide software development? Describe other development efforts or existing systems that can meet our objectives or be modified to meet our objectives. We are open to a new system development effort or modification of an existing system. The information provided in response to this announcement is limited to ten pages or less. All information shall be provided free of charge to the Government. The Government will not return any data provided in response to this announcement. This request for information does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses shall be provided to, Mona Ash, Contracting Officer, via email at mona.m.ash@noaa.gov no later than 2:00 PM Pacific Time on July 31, 2021.