RFP 26-42 Side Scan Sonar System

THIS IS NOT
AN ORDER
REQUEST FOR BIDS/PROPOSALS COVERSHEET
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
Procurement and Contract Services
118 College Drive #5003, Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39406-0001
Date: May 19, 2026
Name: ____________________________________
BID No. 26-42
Company: _________________________________
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI is considering
Address: __________________________________ the purchase of the following item(s). We ask that you submit your
bid and retain one copy for your files. Right is reserved to accept or
reject any part of your bid. Your quotation will be given
City/State/Zip: ______________________________ consideration if received in Bond Hall, Room 214 on or before:
2:00 p.m. CT
TERMS - Bidder should state terms of sale. Our terms are 2% ten days, net 45 days.
June 9, 2026
These terms will apply per Mississippi law.
AWARDING CONTRACT - Cash terms will not be used as a basis for awarding
Buyer: Amber Floyd
contracts; however, the University will accept cash discounts when earned.
NOTE: If you cannot quote on the exact material shown, please indicate any exception giving brand name and complete
specifications of any alternate. If additional space is required, use a separate sheet or letter of transmittal.
ITEM QUANTITY UNIT PRICE TOTAL NET PRICE
DESCRIPTION
BID 26-42 Side Scan Sonar System
RFx # 3160008071
PROPOSAL MUST BE RETURNED TO THE UNIVERSITY IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS. RFP NUMBER AND
DATE OF BID OPENING MUST BE SHOWN ON THE OUTSIDE OF
THE ENVELOPE IF USING THAT METHOD.
We quote you as above - F.O.B. The University of Southern Mississippi.
Shipment can be made in days from receipt of order. DATE ______________
Return quotation to Procurement Services at above address.
Signature Required
__________________________________________
AA/EOE/ADAI

SYSTEM DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR A HIGH-RESOLUTION SIDE
SCAN SONAR SYSTEM
The University of Southern Mississippi
Prepared by Steve Stanic and Landry Bernard
May 5/2026

SYSTEM DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS FOR A HIGH-RESOLUTION SIDE
SCAN SONAR SYSTEM
I. Background
The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) has received funding to purchase a
high-resolution side scan sonar system (SSS). This system will be used to map the sea floor,
provide sediment acoustic response as a function of grazing angles, provide detection,
classification, and localization (DCL) of low/medium/high target strength targets over a broad
range of environmental and platform noise conditions.
II. Purpose
This system will be used in programs that map the location of specific targets inside USM's
CUBEnet test range environment. This system will also be used to select and classify several test
sites for USM's seabed warfare program. This document contains the minimum requirements for
a high resolution SSS system.
III. General Requirements
1. The SSS shall have lightweight stainless steel hydrodynamic tow fish and a portable
splash proof, water resistant, and ruggedized topside processor.
2. The top side processors shall provide power and downlink telemetry to the tow fish for
sonar control and receive uplink side scan data, sensor data, and status information from
the tow fish for processing, storage, and display.
3. The system shall meet the NOAA SSS requirements. "The hydrographer shall tow the
side scan sonar at a speed such that an object 1 m on a side on the sea floor would be
independently ensonified a minimum of three times per pass."
4. The system shall provide 400 and 900 kHz ultra-high-resolution images of the seafloor.
5. The SSS shall use CHIRP processing technology.
6. The system shall provide calibrated bottom backscattering data.
7. The SSS system shall be powered by both AC and DC power sources.
8. The SSS shall be capable of providing the georeferenced raw backscattering data.
9. The tow fish shall have a rugged and potable transport case.
10. The sonar system shall weigh approximately 1.8 kg in water.
11. The SSS system shall be easily deployed and recovered.
12. The system will come with at least a 60 m tow cable.
13. The SSS system shall include a v-fin depressor and additional stabilizing keel weights.
14. The SSS system shall have additional tow cable mounting positions for different vehicle
configurations.
13. The vendor shall provide telemetry system options.
14. The system shall have some type of safety recovery system which will prevent the loss of
the tow fish if it becomes snagged on an obstacle during a survey.
15. The vendor shall provide a list and the cost of optional spares.
16. The delivery arrangements and transportation costs shall be the vendor's responsibility.
17. The side can sonar systems shall be delivered to USM's Marine
Research Center, 1030 30th Ave Gulfport, MS 39501.
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IV. Specific SSS Technical Specifications
The following tables outline the minimum specifications that the high resolution SSS system
shall meet to perform the tasks necessary to satisfy USM's project objectives.
SSS Tow fish Specifications
Physical System Description/Value
Frequencies At least 400 and 900 kHz
Operating range At least 175 m at400 kHz, and 65 m at 900 kHz
3 dB beam pattern Less than -37 dB
Cross track resolutions At least 3 cm at 400 kHz and 2 cm at 900 kHz
Along track resolutions At least 70 cm at 400 kHz and 20 cm at 900 kHz at
100 m and 50 m respectively
Pulse type Simultaneous linear swept wide band FM and chirp pulses
General SSS Specifications
Diameter No greater than 11 cm
Length No greater than 120 cm
Weight in air No greater than 25 kg
Weight in water No greater than 20 kg
Max depth rating At least 175 m
Tow fish material Stainless steel
Towing speed At least 1 -7 knts
Heading resolution At least 0.20
Integrated sensors At least Heading, Pitch, Roll and Pressure integrated sensors
Pressure sensor accuracy 0.75 % of working depth
Navigation interfaces RS-232, NMEA0183
SSS top side processor
Power inputs 12-24 VDC or 115/220 VAC, 60 Hz
Hardware Splash proof ruggedized top side processor
Connections 10/100 Mb/s RJ-45 LAN connection
V. Specific SSS software requirements
1. The back scattered signals shall be processed into high signal-to-noise images
that are recorded and displayed by the top side processor software.
2. Ther software shall provide target feature detection.
2. The top-side software shall control and monitor the tow fish sonar subsystems and
displays.
3. The data shall be stored in XTF and JSF formats.
4. The top side control system shall be controlled by a ruggedized laptop computer.
5. The top side system shall interface global positioning system (GPS) devices over an
RS-232 serial (or USB to Serial) interface.
6. The software shall provide access to raw data files via a network interface.
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VI. Options
* Magnetometer Interface
* A pole mount and scan bracket for easy deployment from one of USM's
dedicated vessels.
* Telemetry options for short and long tow cable lengths.
VII. Software
The vendor shall provide Complete Software Package (backup) and product
documentation for the SSS system. This includes image software that provides high-
resolution seabed images and target detections.
VIII. Training
The vendor shall provide training on the operation, software, maintenance,
troubleshooting, and integration of all systems. This shall include mission
planning and basic mission data analysis and display. This training shall take place
at the USM facility located in Gulfport MS.
IX. Proof of Performance
The vendor shall provide a proven record of the SSS measurements and operating system
performance. The vendor needs to provide references where these systems and their
operating system in a similar configuration as specified above have operated successfully
within the last 3 years. The above requested information will assist USM in determining
the bidder's capability of meeting these requirements.
X. Warranty Services
At a minimum, the contractor shall provide software/hardware warranty support for one
year from acceptance. Longer warranty periods are preferred. The Vendor shall agree to
repair, adjust, and/or replace (as determined by the University to be in its best interest)
any defective materials at the Vendor and/or manufacturers' sole cost. The University
will incur no costs for service or replacement of materials during the warranty period.
The Vendor will be the sole point of contact for warranty issues.
XI. Documentation
The Contractor shall provide Operations and Maintenance manuals to USM.
Documentation provided shall include, but not be limited to the following:
A. Theory of operation
B. Operating procedures
C. Interfacing instructions with connector pin outs
D. Troubleshooting and maintenance procedures
E. IPB (Isometric Parts Breakout) drawings showing how all parts, especially
mechanical parts, relate to one another.
F. Documentation of the various software packages.
G. All sensor documentation and manuals.
3

THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI
PROCUREMENT SERVICES
118 COLLEGE DRIVE
#5003
HATTIESBURG, MS 39406-0001
GENERAL TERMS, CONDITIONS AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR BIDS/PROPOSALS
1.) Failure to examine any drawings, specifications, and instructions will be at
bidder's risk.
2.) Samples of items when called for must be furnished free of expense and if not
destroyed in testing, will, upon request, be returned at the bidder's expense.
Request for the return of samples must be made within ten (10) days following
opening bids. Each individual sample must be labeled with bidder's name and
manufacturer's brand name and number.
3.) Bids must be signed and sealed with bidder's name and address on the outside
of the envelope, and the time and date of the bid opening and the bid file
number shown in the lower-left corner of the packages; envelopes, express
mailing labels, boxes, etc.
4.) At least one (1) signed original and one (1) signed copy of the bid MUST be
provided. The University requires a portable electronic virus/malware free copy
(thumb drive) of the bid response from the responding Vendor to be included in
the bid response package. If an electronic copy is not included, the University
reserves the right to request an electronic copy of the exact bid response prior to
review of the bid.
5.) For your bid to be considered, it must be received, and time stamped in our office
by 2:00 P.M. of the bid opening date. It is the responsibility of the vendor to
ensure their bid is received within the appointed time. If your bid package is not
received in Bond Hall, Room 214, by 2:00 P.M. of the bid opening date, it will not
be considered.
a. If you are delivering your bid, you need to hand carry the bid package to: The
University of Southern Mississippi
Procurement Services
Bond Hall, Room 214
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
b. If you are mailing your bid package via U.S. Postal Service, mail to: The
University of Southern Mississippi
Procurement Services
118 College Drive #5003
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
c. If you are express mailing your bid package via Federal Express or UPS,
or any other delivery service which requires the use of a physical address,
deliver to:

The University of Southern Mississippi
Receiving Department
2609 West 4th Street
Hattiesburg, MS 39401
6.) Bids or proposals shall not be modified, corrected, altered, or amended after the
specified closing time and the opening of such bids, unless otherwise noted in
the request for bids or proposals.
7.) The University of Southern Mississippi reserves the right to reject any and all
bids, to waive any informality in bids, and unless otherwise specified by the
bidders, to accept any items on the bid. If the bidder fails to state the time within
which bids must be accepted, it is understood and agreed that The University of
Southern Mississippi shall have 90 days to accept. The University of Southern
Mississippi reserves the right to make an award to this bid on an all or none
basis, or on a line-by-line basis, whichever serves the best interest of The
University of Southern Mississippi.
8.) Contracts and purchases will be made or entered into with the lowest,
responsible bidder meeting specifications.
9.) A written purchase order or contract award mailed or otherwise furnished to the
successful bidder within the time of acceptance specified in the Invitation for Bid
results in a binding contract without further action by either party. The contract
shall not be assignable by the vendor in whole or in part without the written
consent of The University of Southern Mississippi.
10.) Unless written exception is provided in the bid response, the winning Vendor
agrees to be bound by the USM Terms and Conditions, which are incorporated
herein, and may be found at https://www.usm.edu/procurement-contract-
services/usm-terms-and-conditions.
11.) Respondents are required to comply with all applicable local, State and
Federal laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations in the provision of the
materials required.
12.) Respondents must comply with Personally Identifiable Information (PII) data
protection regarding State, Federal, and University regulations and policies.
13.) Mandatory Legal Provisions
a. Any provisions disclaiming implied warranties shall be null and void. See
Mississippi Code Annotated Sections 11-7-18 and 75-2-719(4). The Vendor
shall not disclaim the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose.
b. The Vendor shall have no limitation on liability for claims related to the
following items:
i. Infringement issues;
ii. Bodily injury;
iii. Death;
iv. Physical damage to tangible personal and/or real property; and/or

c. The intentional and willful misconduct or negligent acts of the Vendor and/or
Vendor's employees or subcontractors.
d. All requirements that the University pay interest are deleted, except for those
in conjunction with USM's standard payment terms of Net 45 days. Payments
made beyond 45 days are subject to late fees and interest.
e. Should any of the terms and conditions in the purchase contract conflict with
the laws of the State of Mississippi, the laws of the State of Mississippi shall
supersede and govern. A revision of the terms and conditions will be
required to ensure compliance with Mississippi state law.
f. The University shall not pay any attorney's fees, prejudgment interest or
costs associated with any legal action to or for the Vendor, except that which
are ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.
14.) Bid files may be examined during normal working hours by bid participants.
Non- participants will be prohibited from obtaining any information relative to the
bid until the official award has been made.
15.) If purchase orders or contracts are canceled because of the awarded vendor's
failure to perform or request for price increase, that vendor shall be removed
from our bidders' list for a period of 24 months.
16.) No addendum will be issued within a period of two (2) working days prior to
the time and date set for the bid opening. Should it become necessary to
issue an addendum within the two-day period prior to the bid opening, the bid
date will be reset giving bidders ample time to answer the addendum.
17.) Alternate bids, unless specifically requested or allowed, will not be considered.
18.) Bid openings will be conducted open to the public. However, they will serve only
to open the bids. No discussion will be held with any vendor as to the quality or
provisions of the specifications, and no award will be made either stated or
implied at the bid opening. After the close of the bid opening meeting, the bids
will be considered to be in the evaluation process and will not be available for
review by bidders. Proposal openings are not required to be open to the public;
however, the resulting award is open for public inspection.
19.) Prices quoted shall be firm for the term of the contract or for the stated time of
acceptance.
20.) The bidder understands that The University of Southern Mississippi is an
equal opportunity employer and, therefore, maintains a policy which prohibits
unlawful discrimination based on race, color, creed, sex, age, national origin,
physical handicap, disability, or any other such discrimination; and the bidder,
by signing this bid, agrees during the term of agreement that the bidder will
strictly adhere to this policy in its employment practices and provision of
products or services.
21.) Bidders must upon request of The University of Southern Mississippi furnish
satisfactory evidence of their ability to furnish products or services in accordance
with the terms and conditions of these specifications. The University of Southern

Mississippi reserves the right to make the final determination as to the bidder's
ability.
22.) Questions or problems arising from bid procedures should be directed to the
Buyer listed on the solicitation at:
The University of Southern Mississippi
118 College Drive #5003
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
Phone: (601) 266-4131
Bids@usm.edu
23.) All items must equal or exceed the specifications listed. The absence of
detailed specifications or the omission of detailed description shall be
recognized as meaning that only the best commercial practices are to prevail,
and that only first quality materials and workmanship are to be used.
24.) It is the intent of the specifications to obtain a product that will adequately
meet the needs of the user while promoting the greatest extent of competition
that is practicable. It is the responsibility of the prospective bidder to review
the entire Invitation to Bid packet and to notify The University of Southern
Mississippi if the Specifications, Instructions, General, or Special Conditions
are formulated in a manner which would unnecessarily restrict competition.
25.) It shall be incumbent upon the bidders to understand the specifications. Any
requests for clarifications shall be in writing and shall be submitted to our
Procurement Services office at least seven (7) business days prior to the time
and date set for the bid opening, unless otherwise noted in the bid or proposal
specifications.
26.) The minimum specifications are used to set a standard and in no case are used
with the intention of discriminating against any manufacturer. Bidders should
note the name and the manufacturer and model number of the product they
propose to furnish and submit descriptive literature.
27.) Trade names, brand names, and/or manufacturer's information used in these
specifications are for the purpose of establishing quality, unless otherwise noted.
Bids on products of other qualified manufacturers are acceptable, provided they
are demonstrated as equal to those specified in construction, design and
suitability. Each bidder shall submit with his bid a complete brochure with
pictures on each item and shall point out specifically any deviations from the
specified items. Failure to do so may disqualify any bid. Please bid as specified
or an approved equal.
28.) A copy of the manufacturer's standard guarantee/warranty shall accompany
and become a part of this bid.
29.) There are no federal or state laws that prohibit bidders from submitting a bid
lower than a price or bid given to the U.S. Government. Bidders may bid lower
than U.S. Government contract price without any liability as The University of

Southern Mississippi is exempt from the provisions of the Robinson-Patman Act
and other related laws. In addition, the U.S. Government has no provisions in
any of its purchasing arrangements with bidders whereby a lower price to The
University of Southern Mississippi must automatically be given to the U.S.
Government.
30.) All invoices, unless noted otherwise, are to be billed to:
The University of Southern Mississippi
IT Invoices
118 College Drive #5181
Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001
ITInvoices@usm.edu
31.) All equipment bids shall be of current production and of the latest design and
construction.
32.) Where all, or part(s), of the bid is requested on a unit price basis, both the unit
prices and the extension of the unit prices constitute a basis of determining the
lowest responsible and responsive bidder. In cases of error in the extension of
price, the unit price will govern.
33.) Should the University of Southern Mississippi close due to inclement weather
conditions, or any other unforeseen events on the bid opening date, sealed bids
will open the following business day at the same time and location.
34.) As an alternative to traditional sealed bids in envelopes, the University of
Southern Mississippi is capable of receiving electronic bid responses. While this
option is available, it is not required, and we ask that all potential respondents
keep in mind that with any electronic system there could be delays or glitches
with the submission process; therefore, the University highly encourages
traditional sealed bids which are either mailed or submitted in person. Should a
vendor choose to submit their response electronically, please follow the
instructions below using the following website:
https://www.ms.gov/dfa/contract_bid_search/Home/Sell. On this site you will find
helpful links to procurement opportunities, as well as a link to supplier
registration. If not already registered in this system, potential bidders will first
need to click on 'Supplier Registration' and follow the steps outlined (a one-time
process). Once registered, they can return to the original website and click on
'Procurement Opportunities' where they can either search by keyword for the bid
they desire to respond to or leave the search box blank and click 'Search' for a
listing of all current bids and proposals for the various
State of Mississippi offices.
Regarding construction bids, there is one additional step required during the bid
submission process. Along with the bid response and other attachments,
contractors will also need to attach their Certificate of Responsibility (COR), or a
statement that the bid enclosed does not exceed Fifty Thousand Dollars ($
50,000.00). If their COR or such statement is not attached, the bid will be invalid
and not considered.