Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Stretch Mooring

Replacing 2 stretch hoses with 2 flange adapters each to maintain the capabilities of our moored data buoys. This mooring must integrate directly with the pre-exsisting system. This is a bungee-like cord with electrical wires coiled inside designed to moor meterological buoys and allow information and power to be transferred from the top of the buoy to instruments down below. The reinforced rubber stretch hose was developed for mooring systems that require a stable platform for sensors or acoustics.

It can stretch to 1.5 times its original length and serves as a highly effective and robust mechanical isolator between the surface buoy and the quiet lower mooring section. The hose construction makes use of elastomer-synthetic composite technology for elasticity and strength and also has eight number 22AWG conductors and 4 24AWG twisted pairs built into it to allow signals and power to be transmitted along its length. All mooring connections are bolted flanges to minimize other sources of mechanical noise and to enable a modular approach to mooring design.