Opportunity
SAM #140G0326Q0153
USGS Sole Source Intent: Infrasound Acoustic Monitors from Chaparral Physics Geophysical Institute
Buyer
USGS Office of Acquisition and Grants
Posted
June 30, 2026
Respond By
July 11, 2026
Identifier
140G0326Q0153
NAICS
334515
This notice announces the USGS's intent to award a sole source contract for infrasound acoustic monitors to Chaparral Physics Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. - Agency: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Office of Acquisition and Grants - Purpose: Procurement of infrasound acoustic monitors for volcanic monitoring - Sole Source Justification: - Chaparral Physics Geophysical Institute is the only known source capable of meeting all technical requirements - Requirements include: - Ability to measure a wide range of acoustic signals from volcanoes - High sensitivity - Low power consumption (less than 150mW) - Verified equal sensitivity across all sensors for effective noise cancellation and array processing - Procurement Method: FAR Part 12 (Commercial Products and Services) - NAICS Code: 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals) - No specific part numbers or quantities provided in the notice - Only OEM/vendor mentioned: Chaparral Physics Geophysical Institute - Opportunity for interested parties to submit capability statements - Not a competitive solicitation; intended as a sole source award unless capability statements demonstrate otherwise
Description
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 750Responses 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.