Soil mapping system

Added: Sep 24, 2017 2:37 pm The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) intends to make an award, on a sole source basis, to VERIS TECHNOLOGIES, INC., of Salina, KS in the amount of $32,595.00 for the purchase of:

Qty 1, Veris U Series Soil EC-OM pH Mapping System with accessories.

This action will not be competed in accordance with FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The salient characteristics of this unit include:
• Ability to provide simultaneous, high-density, on-the-go mapping of soil electrical conductivity, organic matter and pH.

• Self-contained, trailing unit capable of being pulled by any vehicle (small tractor, pickup truck, utility vehicle, etc.) equipped with a ball hitch. This requires that the system be supply its own power (with the possible exception of low-current 12 VDC electricity) independent of the vehicle used to pull the instrument.

• Continuous, on-the-go determination of organic matter using an optical sensor regardless of crop residue conditions.

• Continuous, on-the-go determination of electrical conductivity using a 4-electrode coulter system with direct ground contact.

• On-the-go determination of soil pH of the surface soil (1 to 4 inches deep).

• Removable weights (e.g. suitcase weights) to allow adjustment of soil penetration to soil conditions.
• A preferred measurement speed of up to 15mph (24km/hr).

• Electronics meeting the following specifications:
o Spectral range: visible and near-infrared
o Weather-proof enclosure for all electronics and connections
o Powered by 12 VDC electricity
o Instrumentation interface via 9 pin serial
o Integrated GPS via NMEA 0183 protocol; input from GGA and VTG or RMC strings at a 1 Hz rate (4800-8-N-1); serial connection with DB9 connector, female sockets
o Software to provide continuous data recording in the field using a Windows-based tablet or laptop PC (Windows 7 OS or newer)
o Software displays EC and OM data real-time for coverage verification and data quality confirmation
o Software interfaces with real-time GPS to record geo-referenced data to computer

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A SOLICITATION FOR QUOTATIONS AND IS BEING POSTED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. No solicitation document is available, and this notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.

Potential sources who believe that they are able provide the item listed above are invited to submit substantiating documentation in writing by no later than 5 pm EST, 09/27/2017. Telephone requests will not be honored. A determination to compete this requirement in the future, based upon responses to this notice, is solely at the discretion of the Government.

The estimated award date is 09/28/2017. The Contracting Officer and point of contact for this action is Kelli Lightfoot. Responses should be sent to kelli.lightfoot@ars.usda.gov.