Notice of Intent

PRESOLICITATION NOTICE OF INTENT FOR A SOLE-SOURCE ACQUISITION USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES (SAP) BELOW THE SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION THRESHOLD (SAT)
(REVOLUTIONARY FAR OVERHAUL (RFO))


Description:

This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract using simplified acquisition procedures and is not a request for competitive quotes. The Government has identified minimum requirements that are believed to be satisfied by the proposed source. Responses must clearly demonstrate the ability to satisfy those minimum requirements. The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of RFO Subpart 5.101.

NAICS Code: 334513
PSC: 6655
The Department of the Interior intends to award a sole-source purchase order using the procedures at RFO 12.102(a), as it has been determined that only one source is currently known to satisfy the Government's minimum requirements.
The Government requires sixty (60) cable adapters to interface existing Government-owned Kinemetrics Q8 dataloggers with Government-owned Nanometrics Cascadia seismic sensors. The required item is Nanometrics Part Number 20517-1M, Cable, Seismometer, Q8 Receptacle 26-pin Connector to Centaur Adapter, Polyurethane (PU), 1 Meter, or an item that fully satisfies all of the Government's minimum requirements.
The required adapter is not merely a cable assembly, but a specialized interface component that performs the precise electrical pin-out translation necessary for the existing Kinemetrics Q8 dataloggers and Nanometrics Cascadia seismic sensors to communicate while preserving full operational capability, sensor functionality, and seismic data integrity.
The adapters are required to integrate with existing Government-owned seismic monitoring equipment currently deployed in support of operational monitoring activities. While other manufacturers produce seismic sensors, dataloggers, and various sensor cables, market research determined that only Nanometrics manufactures a commercially available adapter specifically designed to interface these existing systems. Kinemetrics does not manufacture such an adapter and has indicated no plans to do so. Other seismic equipment manufacturers likewise do not produce compatible interface adapters for these proprietary systems.
The Government has made a substantial investment in its existing inventory of Kinemetrics Q8 dataloggers and Nanometrics Cascadia seismic sensors. Replacement of either system solely to obtain interface compatibility would result in unnecessary duplication of cost and disruption to ongoing mission operations.
If another source can provide a commercially available product that satisfies all of the Government's identified minimum requirements without modification to Government-owned equipment, the Government will evaluate that capability in accordance with this notice.
Compatibility
The required cable adapters must be compatible in all aspects, including form, fit, function, electrical characteristics, connector configuration, and environmental performance, with the Government's existing Kinemetrics Q8 dataloggers and Nanometrics Cascadia seismic sensors. The adapters must provide the required electrical pin-out translation that enables communication between these existing systems without modification to either component.

Direct Replacement / Interface Component
These adapters are interface components required to connect existing Government-owned equipment already deployed in support of seismic monitoring operations. The acquisition does not represent a preference for a particular brand, but rather the purchase of the only known commercially available component capable of allowing the Government's existing equipment to function together as intended while meeting all identified minimum requirements.

This purchase order is intended to be awarded to Nanometrics Inc for sixty (60) cable adapters. The requirements document in the form of specifications is attached to this notice.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. Interested parties must demonstrate, with specific supporting information, their capability to satisfy the Government's minimum requirements and explain why they should be considered capable of performing the requirement. Capability statements must demonstrate the ability to satisfy all material requirements identified in the attached requirements document. Responses that merely assert an ability to perform, without sufficient supporting information, may not be considered adequate to establish the existence of a viable competitive source. The Government will evaluate responses solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement should be conducted.

A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government.

The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by a party who responds to this notice. A party may identify their interest and submit a capability statement by Noon PDT on August 4, 2026

Responses, including questions about this notice, should be sent via email to Gerry Lewandowski, Contracting Officer at gerald_lewandowski@ios.doi.gov






Specifications:
Connector Interface The cable adapter shall mate a Nanometrics Cascadia 26 pin sensor cable to the Sensor A and Sensor B bulkhead receptacles on a Kinemetrics Q8 datalogger.
Electrical Compatibility The adapter shall provide the required electrical pin-out translation necessary for full communication between the Government's existing Kinemetrics Q8 dataloggers and Nanometrics Cascadia seismic sensors.
Physical Compatibility The adapter shall be fully compatible in form, fit, and function with the Government's existing equipment and shall require no modification to Government-owned hardware.
Environmental Protection The adapter shall maintain the submersible characteristics and environmental sealing provided by the existing Cascadia sensor cable.
Length The adapter shall not exceed one meter in length.
Functionality The adapter shall maintain all operating functions and sensor output capabilities available through the existing Cascadia sensor cable without degradation.
Signal Integrity – Grounding, shielding, electrical characteristics, and noise levels shall be maintained to preserve seismic data quality and sensor performance.