Request for Proposals (RFP) 4170-67626 for Underwater Color Digital Still Camera Systems (OOI) – CLOSED
The University of Washington (hereinafter referred to as “UW”), with funding from the National Science Foundation, is soliciting proposals from qualified organizations interested in providing Subsea Color Digital Still Camera Systems (CAMDS) and related services to support the objectives of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI).
The OOI will construct a networked infrastructure of oceanic sensor systems to measure physical, chemical, geological, and biological variables in the ocean and seafloor. The CAMDS will be deployed near seep and hydrothermal vent sites on the seafloor at water depths of approximately 800 m and 1600 m, respectively. The Color Digital Still camera will provide color images of underwater seep, seafloor and vent processes. The CAMDS, consisting of a Color Digital Still camera with pan/tilt and lighting, will be interfaced with the Regional Scale Nodes (RSN) fiberoptic cabled array, which will provide power and real-time communications with the OOI shore-based network.
The purpose of this Request for Proposals (RFP) is to select the Offeror who will provide the best CAMDS solution for use on the cabled Regional Scale Nodes (RSN) array. Proposed CAMDS systems should minimally consist of a Digital Still Camera housed for underwater operation. However, Offerors are encouraged to provide integrated or complementary pan/tilt and lighting solutions. For scientific purposes, optical performance is the priority, however; the total system and lifecycle cost will be evaluated in determining the optimal solution.
The Color Digital Still camera specification in Attachment J-1 represents a best effort to define the technology that will fulfill RSN requirements, but in some cases, requirements (especially those marked as “objectives”) convey “nice to have” requirements that point toward future technology directions. Given the rapid progression in imaging technology, Offerors are encouraged to propose solutions that they feel will provide superior and cost effective performance on a cabled observatory system. Offerors may submit more than one solution. The Contract resulting from this RFP will be Firm Fixed Price with Options, and Purchase Orders (PO) funded and awarded individually post-award as firm fixed price (FFP) awards.
This RFP addresses all of the specifics associated with this award. Special attention should be paid to Section L, Instructions to Offerors, and Section M, Evaluation Factors for award.
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