Innovasea NexTrak AR Transponding Acoustic Release Receivers (24 units) with integrated underwater acoustic release capability, battery packs, activation probes, and associated accessories required for deployment as stationary acoustic telemetry receivers

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Bidders ID:	NBD15632987887508559
Due Date:	Aug 12, 2026
Posted Date:	Jul 29, 2026
Level of Government:	State & Local
State:	Mississippi
Agency:	State Government of Mississippi
Category:	58 - Communications, Detection and Coherent Radiation Equipment
Solicitation Number:	9250-27-R-RFIN-00007
Source:	Members Only

Procurement Details

Smart Number	9250-27-R-RFIN-00007	Advertised Date	07/29/2026 12:00 AM
RFx #	3150006958	Submission Date	08/12/2026 12:00 AM
RFx Status	Open	Major Procurement Category	COMMODITIES
RFx Opening Date	08/12/2026 12:00 AM	Sub Procurement Category	SUPPLIES - TECHNOLOGY
RFx Type	Req. for Information
Agency	MISSISSIPPI STATE UNIVERSITY
RFx Description	Innovasea NexTrak AR Transponding Acoustic Release Receivers (24 units) with integrated underwater acoustic release capability, battery packs, activation probes, and associated accessories required for deployment as stationary acoustic telemetry receivers

Contact Information

Name	Debra Raines	Email	draines@procurement.msstate.edu
Phone		Fax

RFx Items

PRODUCT CATEGORY	PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
49043	Lab Eqpmt-Lab & Scie

Awarded

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Mississippi State University

Notice of Proposed Sole Source Purchase

Mississippi State University anticipates purchasing the item(s) listed below as a

sole source purchase. Anyone objecting to this purchase shall follow the

procedures outlined below.

1. Commodity or commodities to be purchased (make, model, description):

Innovasea NexTrak AR Transponding Acoustic Release Receivers (24 units) with integrated

underwater acoustic release capability, battery packs, activation probes, and associated

accessories required for deployment as stationary acoustic telemetry receivers within the

Gulf-wide Cobia and Tripletail Acoustic Telemetry Network.

2. Explanation of the need to be fulfilled by this item(s), how is it unique from all other

options, and why it is the only one that can meet the specific needs of the department:

The requested equipment is being purchased to complete the stationary receiver

component of a Gulf-wide acoustic telemetry network investigating the movement ecology of

cobia (Rachycentron canadum) and tripletail (Lobotes surinamensis). This project includes

multiple collaborating universities and state agencies throughout the Gulf of Mexico that are

deploying a common acoustic telemetry platform.

The project has procured 800 Innovasea 69 kHz acoustic transmitters for deployment on

study animals as part of this project. These transmitters have been programmed and

standardized for use across all collaborating institutions. The requested receiver systems

must therefore be fully compatible with this existing transmitter infrastructure. The

requested receivers serve a dual purpose. They function both as long-term stationary acoustic

telemetry receivers and as integrated underwater acoustic release systems that allow

receivers to be remotely interrogated, acoustically released, retrieved, serviced, and

repeatedly redeployed throughout the duration of this multi-year study.

Selection of an alternative receiver platform would compromise interoperability with the

existing Gulf-wide telemetry network and would substantially reduce the scientific objectives

of the project. The inability to reliably detect, decode, communicate with, and manage the

transmitters already purchased would prevent seamless detection of tagged fish moving

among participating states and significantly diminish the value of the existing public

investment.

Because this purchase is intended to expand an already established telemetry system rather

than establish a new one, compatibility with the existing transmitter infrastructure is an

essential functional requirement rather than a preference for a particular manufacturer.

3. Name of company/individual selling the item and why that source is the only possible

source that can provide the required item(s):

Innovasea is the only manufacturer capable of providing receiver systems that are fully

compatible with the acoustic telemetry infrastructure already established for this project.

The Gulf-wide project has standardized on Innovasea acoustic transmitters, software, and

receiver communication protocols across all collaborating institutions. The requested receiver

systems must maintain complete interoperability with these existing project components to

ensure seamless data collection and network-wide detection of tagged animals.

Alternative manufacturers produce acoustic telemetry equipment; however, those

systems utilize different hardware, communication protocols, software platforms, and

telemetry architectures that would not provide the level of compatibility required to

integrate with the existing Gulf-wide telemetry network. Procuring a different receiver

platform would fragment the network and significantly impair the scientific objectives of the

project.

4. Estimated cost of item(s) and an explanation why the amount to be expended is

considered reasonable:

Estimated Cost: $122,641.00 (including shipping).

The proposed cost is considered reasonable based on current market pricing for

specialized scientific acoustic telemetry instrumentation. Mississippi State University

obtained quotations from multiple manufacturers of comparable acoustic telemetry

equipment during the procurement planning process. Although alternative systems were

evaluated, none met the project's interoperability requirements with the existing Gulf-wide

telemetry infrastructure. The quoted price is consistent with the complexity of the equipment

and includes integrated acoustic receivers, underwater acoustic release capability, associated

accessories, manufacturer support, and warranty.

5. Explanation of the efforts taken by the department to determine this is the only source

and the efforts used to obtain the best possible price:

Prior to requesting this sole source purchase, Mississippi State University evaluated

commercially available acoustic telemetry receiver systems from multiple manufacturers

capable of producing marine acoustic telemetry equipment, including Innovasea and Lotek.

Quotes were obtained from both companies to evaluate functionality, compatibility, and

cost. Following this evaluation, it was determined that only Innovasea could provide

equipment that fully integrates with the acoustic telemetry infrastructure already established

for the Gulf-wide Cobia and Tripletail Acoustic Telemetry Project. Because approximately 800

Innovasea acoustic transmitters have already been procured and standardized across

collaborating institutions, interoperability with these existing project components is essential

to achieving the scientific objectives of the project. The quoted pricing also reflects

Innovasea's iTAG member discount, representing the best available pricing offered to the

project.

Any person or entity that objects and proposes that the commodity listed is not sole source

and can be provided by another person or entity shall submit a written notice to:

Jennifer Mayfield, CPPO

Director of Procurement Services, Chief Procurement Officer

jmayfield@procurement.msstate.edu

Subject Line must read “Sole Source Objection”

The notice shall contain a detailed explanation of why the commodity is not a sole source

procurement. Appropriate documentation shall also be submitted if applicable.

If after a review of the submitted notice and documents, MSU determines that the commodity

in the proposed sole source request can be provided by another person or entity, then MSU will

withdraw the sole source request publication from the procurement portal website and submit

the procurement of the commodity to an advertised competitive bid or selection process.

If MSU determines after review that there is only one (1) source for the required commodity,

then MSU will appeal to the Public Procurement Review Board. MSU will have the burden of

proving that the commodity is only provided by one (1) source.

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Disclaimer: The details regarding bids, requests for proposals (RFPs), and requests for qualifications (RFQs) on this site are provided for convenience and do not represent official public notice. To respond to or inquire about bids, RFPs, or RFQs, please contact the appropriate government department.

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