Sole Source Purchase of Innovasea NexTrak AR Transponding Acoustic Release Receivers

The Mississippi State University is proposing a sole source purchase of Innovasea NexTrak AR Transponding Acoustic Release Receivers. The equipment is required for deployment as stationary acoustic telemetry receivers within the Gulf-wide Cobia and Tripletail Acoustic Telemetry Network. The project has already procured 800 Innovasea acoustic transmitters, and the requested receiver systems must be fully compatible with this existing transmitter infrastructure. The key features of the required equipment include: • 24 units of Innovasea NexTrak AR Transponding Acoustic Release Receivers • Integrated underwater acoustic release capability • Battery packs • Activation probes • Associated accessories The university has evaluated alternative manufacturers, but none met the project's interoperability requirements with the existing Gulf-wide telemetry infrastructure.