NIGP 84581: Soil Testing Apparatus (for Determining Permeability, Resistivity, Soil Chemistry, etc.)

NIGP 84581 Soil Testing Apparatus (For Determining Permeability, Resistivity, Soil Chemistry, Etc.), Item code, encompasses specialized equipment and field testing services that state and local governments procure to characterize soil properties, verify construction material compaction and quality, and support infrastructure projects ranging from airport maintenance to flood control and building construction. Recent solicitations show governments buying truck-mounted cone penetrometer testing systems, on-call construction materials testing and inspection crews, and standalone testing apparatus to support geotechnical investigations and construction oversight. The issuing bodies span state transportation departments (Utah Department of Transportation, Michigan Department of Transportation), municipal utilities (Keys Energy Services in Key West, Gainesville Regional Utilities), county special districts (Harris County Flood Control District, Orange County in California), and municipal governments (City of Orlando, Town of Waterford, Connecticut). Many solicitations bundle equipment procurement with professional testing services, reflecting how government projects require both the apparatus and qualified operators working in compliance with ASTM standards, American Concrete Institute certifications, and project-specific technical protocols.

Recent opportunities illustrate the code's breadth and geographic spread. The Michigan Department of Transportation issued RFP 260000002268 (due July 16, 2026) for a truck-mounted Cone Penetrometer Test sounding unit with integrated data acquisition and soil sampling equipment, specified to Vertek CPT standards on a Mack or Peterbilt chassis with five-year warranty. The Harris County Flood Control District issued RFSQ 260032 (due March 2, 2026) for on-call construction materials engineering and testing services supporting stormwater and channel projects, requiring A2LA certification and geotechnical engineers on staff. The Town of Waterford, Connecticut solicited RFP RFP26009 (due May 5, 2026) for Special Inspector and materials testing services for a new fire station, including soil compaction tests, concrete strength testing at seven and 28 days, and welded steel inspections. The County of Orange, California (John Wayne Airport) issued IFB 2803068502CP (due August 6, 2026) for airside surface maintenance with friction testing line items, requiring FAR Part 139 airport experience. Keys Energy Services in Key West posted two electrical insulating oil testing solicitations (RFP 0426 and 1026, April 2026) for annual laboratory testing of transformer and voltage regulator equipment per ASTM specifications. Activity concentrates in California, Florida, Connecticut, Michigan, and Utah, with secondary activity in Texas.