RFP 26-42 Side Scan Sonar System
| Location: | Mississippi |
|---|---|
| Posted: | May 19, 2026 |
| Due: | Jun 9, 2026 |
| Agency: | State Government of Mississippi |
| Type of Government: | State & Local |
| Category: |
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| Solicitation No: | 9280-26-R-IFBD-00048 |
| Publication URL: | To access bid details, please log in. |
Procurement Details
| Smart Number | 9280-26-R-IFBD-00048 | Advertised Date | 05/19/2026 12:00 AM |
| RFx # | 3160008071 | Submission Date | 06/09/2026 2:00 PM |
| RFx Status | Open | Major Procurement Category | COMMODITIES |
| RFx Opening Date | 06/09/2026 2:00 PM | Sub Procurement Category | EQUIPMENT - TECHNOLOGY |
| RFx Type | Invitation for Bid | ||
| Agency | UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI | ||
| RFx Description |
NOTICE TO BIDDERS
Sealed bids will be received in the Office of the Director of Procurement Services, The University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5003, Bond Hall, Room 214, Hattiesburg, Mississippi, until Tuesday, June 9, 2026, 2:00 p |
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Contact Information
| Name | Amber Floyd | amber.floyd@usm.edu | |
| Phone | 601 266 4855 | Fax |
RFx Items
| PRODUCT CATEGORY | PRODUCT DESCRIPTION |
| 22060 | Sonar Instruments |
Awarded
| VENDOR NAME | VENDOR NUMBER | AWARD DATE | AWARD AMOUNT | FUNDING SOURCE |
Bid Attachments
|
Attachments
RFP 26-42 Side Scan Sonar System |
|
|
Attachments
USM BID 26-42 Legal Ad |
Attachment Preview
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: ____________________________________
Company: _________________________________
Address: __________________________________
City/State/Zip: ______________________________
TERMS - Bidder should state terms of sale. Our terms are 2% ten days, net 45 days.
These terms will apply per Mississippi law.
AWARDING CONTRACT - Cash terms will not be used as a basis for awarding
contracts; however, the University will accept cash discounts when earned.
BID No. 26-42
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI is considering
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
consideration if received in Bond Hall, Room 214 on or before:
2:00 p.m. CT
June 9, 2026
Buyer: Amber Floyd
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.
AA/EOE/ADAI
Signature Required__________________________________________
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.
Physical System
Frequencies
Operating range
3 dB beam pattern
Cross track resolutions
Along track resolutions
Pulse type
Diameter
Length
Weight in air
Weight in water
Max depth rating
Tow fish material
Towing speed
Heading resolution
Integrated sensors
Pressure sensor accuracy
Navigation interfaces
SSS Tow fish Specifications
Description/Value
At least 400 and 900 kHz
At least 175 m at 400 kHz, and 65 m at 900 kHz
Less than -37 dB
At least 3 cm at 400 kHz and 2 cm at 900 kHz
At least 70 cm at 400 kHz and 20 cm at 900 kHz at
100 m and 50 m respectively
Simultaneous linear swept wide band FM and chirp pulses
General SSS Specifications
No greater than 11 cm
No greater than 120 cm
No greater than 25 kg
No greater than 20 kg
At least 175 m
Stainless steel
At least 1 – 7 knts
At least 0.20
At least Heading, Pitch, Roll and Pressure integrated sensors
0.75 % of working depth
RS-232, NMEA0183
Power inputs
Hardware
Connections
SSS top side processor
12-24 VDC or 115/220 VAC, 60 Hz
Splash proof ruggedized top side processor
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.
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