1__RFI-_Salient_Characteristics_1.pdf

140G0323Q0046

This is a Request For Information – This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. No contract will be awarded as a result of this Sources Sought announcement. The United States Geological Survey, Office of Acquisition and Grants is soliciting information from qualified sources; the results of this announcement will be evaluated to determine if there are businesses capable of fulfilling this requirement.

Background:

The U.S. Geological Survey, Grand Canyon Monitoring and Research Center have used the (YSI 6920) Water Quality Sonde Instrument to measure temperature, specific conductance, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity at designated gaging stations. The USGS researchers have used the (YSI 6920), for over 20 years. However, this model will no longer be manufactured and nor will be serviced by 2024. The USGS plans to replace all their (YSI 6920) Water Quality Sonde instruments, in the near future.The USGS is considering the (YSI Exo3) - Sonde model with additional accessories to seamlessly transition research data continuity FROM the outgoing model (YSI 6920) To (YSI Exo3). The USGS is requesting information from vendors that are qualified to fulfill this requirement.

The government requires to duplicate turbidity as closely as possible with the currently used instruments, YSI 6920 equipped with a model 6136 turbidity probe. Fine grained sediment from the study site was incrementally added to a bucket in the laboratory and stirred constantly with a mechanical stirrer. Ten comparison readings at different sediment concentrations and turbidity values were taken. The currently used instrument, YSI 6920, recorded values ranging from 40 to 1100 FNU. The YSI Exo3 recorded values that differed by an average of 25% (lower in all cases except 1) from the YSI 6920 instrument. A side-by-side comparison of a YSI Exo3 and YSI 6920 was conducted at one of the study sites in Grand Canyon in the summer of 2022. Over a 10-day period, with a recording interval of 15 minutes, with the YSI 6920 values ranging from 20 to 1000 FNU, the Exo3 recorded turbidity values that were on average 20% less than the YSI 6920 values. For the lower YSI 6920 turbidity readings, ranging from 20 to 50 FNU, the YSI Exo3 recorded values that were 9% less than the YSI 6920 turbidity readings. These lower turbidity values are of particular interest in the study site due to the behavior of site feeding fish which are predators of the endangered native fish species. Turbidity values above approximately 50 FNU are less relevant because at these higher turbidity levels water clarity is low and as turbidity increases, the ability of the site feeding fish to feed on the endangered fish does not significantly change. YSI Exo3 recorded values of turbidity that were significantly more similar to the YSI 6920 than the values recorded by other similar water sonde instruments and accessories in the industry

The Water Quality Sonde Instrument must have the following Salient Characteristics

The new Sonde Water Quality Instruments must list parameters continuously at a 15-minute and have the following measuring capabilities:

• Probes to measure temperature

• Specific conductance

• Dissolved oxygen

• Turbidity

• Central wiper

• Handheld datalogger

• All the necessary cables

• Data Collection Platform (DCP) to allow for satellite communication

# Part Number

Description

1 599503-00

(1 ea.)

EX03 Sonde, No Depth, 5 Sensor Ports, Central Wiper Compatible

-No depth sensor installed

-No AUX Port/ Compact Battery Compartment

-Contains: Sonde, 2 D Batteries, Calibration Cup, Tool Kit, 3 port plugs, USB drive loaded with User Manual and KOR Software

2 599827

(1 ea.)

EXO Wiped Conductivity/Temperature Sensor

-Purpose-built for combating sensor fouling in long-term monitoring applications

-Designed and engineered for compatibility with EX02 Sande's Central Wiper

-Additional Central Wiper Brush and Spacing Kit included

3 599100-01

(1 ea.)

EXO Optical DO Sensor, Ti

-Compatible with any EXO sonde

-User replaceable sensor cap (installed)

-Incorporates wet-mate connector and welded titanium housing

4 599101-01

(1 ea.)

EXO Turbidity Sensor, Ti

-Compatible with any -EXO sonde

-Wide range Sensor reads from 0-4000 FNU

-Incorporates wet-mate connector and welded titanium housing

5 599090-01

(1 ea.)

EXO Central Wiper, EX02, Ti

-Installs in center wiper port on EX02 sonde only

Includes two wiper brushes and installation tool

Used in unattended monitoring deployments to reduce bio- fouling

6 599008-33

(1 ea.)

EXO 33-m Flying Lead Cable

Connects EXO sonde to DCP Signal Output Adapter

7 599820

(1 ea.)

EXO Signal Output Adapter - DCP, Rev. 2.0 Wires into the end of YSI field cable via flying leads Converts EXO signal to RS-232 or SDl-12 for datalogger applications

For further information, interested parties may contact the Contract Specialist, Victor Nuno, electronically at vnuno@usgs.gov by the due date, Friday January 20, 2023 at 5:00pm ET.