Gravimeter

The Washington Geological Survey (WGS), operating under the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is seeking to procure a specialized portable gravimeter through a sole source procurement from Scintrex Limited. The specific instrument required is a CG-6 Autograv gravimeter designed for high-precision geophysical field surveys, with stringent technical requirements including a weight under 12 pounds, operational temperature range from -40C to +45C, resolution of 0.1 Gal, and repeatability of 5 Gal. The procurement covers a complete system including the gravimeter, tripod, smart battery, charger, power supply, cables, spare parts kit, flux adapter kit, carrying bag, and shipping case. The contract opportunity was posted on May 8, 2025, with a due date of May 23, 2025, and potential offerors were requested to submit capability statements within ten working days of the announcement. The procurement is specifically targeted at acquiring a rugged, compact instrument capable of enduring wilderness environments while providing high-resolution and repeatable gravity measurements.

The sole source procurement is specifically limited to Scintrex Limited, with no apparent set-aside designations for disadvantaged enterprises or small businesses. The Washington State Legislature has funded this procurement through SB-6039, with comprehensive market research indicating no alternative vendors can meet the specified technical requirements. The total purchase cost is $121,588.97, which includes the gravimeter, associated equipment, packing, freight, and shipping insurance. The procurement was conducted through standard state purchasing channels, including searches through WEBS and OMWBE, with no alternative vendors identified. The contract references Quote #144698Q-1 and follows standard Net 30 shipping terms, with the ship-to location being the Washington Geological Survey. If the sole source filing is not approved, WGS would be unable to conduct scheduled geophysical surveys, potentially impacting geothermal research and multiple legislative initiatives.