infrasound acoustic monitors

This is a notice of intent to solicit from a single source. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), intends to award a purchase order with Chaparral Physics Geophysical Institute of the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, Ak for infrasound acoustic monitors as described in the required specifications attached. Award will be made in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

Chaparral Physics is, to the USGS knowledge, the only source who meets the ability for infrasound sensor requirements for measuring a range of very weak to very strong infrasound acoustic signals in the frequency range produced by volcanoes are stringent. Ever-changing volcanic, meteorologic, and local environmental conditions means that measurements must be acquired at least one hundred times per second to detect signals of interest.

For infrasound measurements, this means that the instrument sensitivity must be sufficient to obtain an adequate signal-to-noise ratio for the acoustic measurement in as short of an integration time as possible. This application measures acoustic signals travelling through the atmosphere which are affected by the previously mentioned changing conditions.

Software compares the signals from all the sensors in the array to identify local noise conditions and filter their negative effect out of the acoustic signal produced by the volcano. All the infrasound sensors in the array must have tested and verified equal sensitivity for processing software to achieve the desired noise cancellation effect. The Chaparral sensor meets the environmental requirements and has a power consumption less than 150mW, which is the only known source for small solar based systems.

The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of FAR 5.101(c)(4)(vii). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes. However, all responsible parties may submit a capability statement by the closing date of this announcement which shall be considered by the agency. No solicitation will be issued. A determination not to compete this action based upon responses received is in the sole discretion of the Government.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334515 Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals, with the associated size standard of 750 Responses or inquiries shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to tracy_huot@ios.doi.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 07/10/1700 PD. Responses submitted by hardcopy or the SAM.gov portal shall not be accepted or considered.