140G0321Q0074_NOI_noncompetitive_procurement_2.docx

140G0321Q0074 – NOI to award noncompetitive procurement of Qty. 1 Absolute Quantum Gravimeter from Muquans.

The U.S. Geological Survey, Volcano Science Center requests award of a noncompetitive procurement to Muquans SAS of Talence, France for the purchase of an Absolute Quantum Gravimeter. The magnitude of measurable time-varying gravity changes due to volcanic processes are between a few and a few hundred μGal (1 μGal = 10-8 ms-2)—between one part in 106 and one part in 108 of the standard gravity on Earth (g = 9.8 ms-2). High-precision gravimeters used to detect these small signals come in two varieties, relative and absolute. The Muquans SAS Absolute Quantum Gravimeter is the only quantum gravity sensor available on the market place. The instrument offers (1) absolute gravity measurement at the µGal level, (2) automated Continuous Data Acquisition for several months with no long-term drift, (3) excellent immunity to ground vibrations thanks to an active compensation, (4) rapid and easy set up and operation, with the instrument ready to measure within 1h of arrival at the measurement site (unlike free-fall-type instruments, there is no laser alignment nor mechanical assembly, no preliminary pumping, and no superspring needed), (5) compact and transportable sensor, and (6) station-to-station repeatability of the absolute measurement within a few μGal. The Government intends to negotiate on a noncompetitive basis with Muquans of France in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 13.106-1(b) and the procedures of FAR Part 12, entitled, Acquisition of Commercial Items.

No other vendor commercial vendor has the capability to supply this instrument. Without the Muquans SAS Absolute Quantum Gravimeter the Volcano Science Center would be unable to accurately monitor gravity changes at Hawaiian volcanoes in real-time over periods longer than several days. This gravimeter will enable us increase our monitoring efforts in a new and critical manner – particularly important given the recent and ongoing changes to Kīlauea Volcano following the devastating 2018 eruption. Additionally, without the Muquans SAS Absolute Quantum Gravimeter the Volcano Science Center would be unable to establish a gravimeter calibration line on the Island of Hawaiʻi—a project that is essential for calibrating our relative gravimeter instruments, and thereby vital to our larger monitoring efforts of the state of Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes and the hazards they pose to nearby population and infrastructure.

Other interested concerns having the ability to furnish these services may submit a capabilities statement to the Contracting Officer via email at cjfejarang@usgs.gov no later than the closing date of this announcement on June 14, 2021 at 12:00pm PDT. All submissions will be evaluated to determine if competitive opportunities exist. All responses must be in writing, by email, to the Contracting Officer, Charlan Fejarang at cjfejarang@usgs.gov.