APS Magnetometers

The Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division is seeking to procure 55 APS Model 535 Fluxgate Magnetometers through a firm fixed price contract on a "Brand Name or Equal" basis. The magnetometers must feature triaxial sensors with independent single-ended axial measurement output, a sensor dynamic range of +/- 30 Gauss per axis, and weigh no more than 200 grams. These specialized instruments will serve as principal sensors in a field deployable magnetometer array for the Joint US-UK Strategic Systems Programs office, specifically to verify onboard magnetic field levels of the Columbia Class Common Missile Compartment. Interested vendors must submit quotes on company letterhead including pricing, CAGE code, FOB destination, point of contact, GSA contract number if applicable, and business size certification. The submission deadline is 12:00 PM on July 3, 2025, with delivery required by August 15, 2025. The solicitation anticipates issuing a single firm-fixed price purchase order following evaluation.

This procurement is designated as a total small business set-aside with a small business standard of 600 employees under NAICS code 334519. Applied Physics Systems of Mountain View, California appears to be the incumbent or preferred vendor, as the government's market research and justification documentation indicates they hold proprietary design rights and intellectual property for this specific model, making them the sole source provider. The contract requires delivery of 55 units total, split into two line items of 29 and 26 magnetometers respectively. Performance will take place in Westlake, Maryland, with delivery to the NSWC Carderock Division facility in Bethesda, Maryland. While the exact contract value is redacted in the justification documents, the procurement is being processed under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold guidelines. The tight timeline from solicitation posting on June 26 to required delivery by August 15 indicates an urgent operational need for these specialized geophysical instruments.