SOURCES SOUGHT – REQUEST FOR INFORMATION for Electro-Magnetic Gradiometer Sensing System Hardware (EMG-SSH) Device

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions received during a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the Electro-Magnetic Gradiometer Sensing System Hardware (EMG-SSH) Device.

• Legacy Systems: The government currently maintains legacy systems that the EMG-SSH device is intended to supplement, replace, or interoperate with. These new devices are for government entities that need their capabilities.
• System Examination: Qualified responders awarded a contract will be allowed to examine existing legacy systems at a mutually decided location, supervised by ERDC personnel. This examination is intended to inform the build approach.
• Maintenance of Legacy Systems: Reconditioning, repair, or refresh of existing legacy units is not currently part of the anticipated scope. However, future maintenance needs may arise, and government entities may contract directly with the manufacturer for such services.
• Technical Documentation: The government intends to make technical documentation associated with legacy systems available under appropriate documentation controls to assist responders.
• Procurement Details: Information regarding option quantities, multi-unit IDIQ vehicles, or the specific acquisition procedures (e.g., FAR Part 13, FAR Part 12, BAA/SBIR) for the eventual solicitation is currently unavailable.

This document clarifies aspects of the existing legacy systems and the government's intent to provide technical documentation. However, key details about the future solicitation, including contract type, quantities, and specific acquisition procedures, are not yet available.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document describes the requirement for one (1) Electro-Magnetic Gradiometer Sensing System Hardware (EMG-SSH) device. The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) needs a device sensitive between 50kHz-750kHz capable of measuring in the picotesla range to detect and map long linear subsurface conductors.

• System Components:

  • Rugged, lightweight man-carry boom (disassemblable, fits in a 32in x 21in x 13in case)
  • Boom approximately 1.75m long with fittings for antennas at each end
  • Boom designed for backpack attachment, weight-balanced for hands-free operation
  • Differential EMG receiver electronics (sealed, programmable 50kHz-750kHz, 10Hz accuracy, minimum two channels)
  • Powered by external Bren-Tronics BB-2590/U batteries (two included)
  • Matched electrically shielded Magnetic Dipole Antenna pairs (tuned 50kHz-750kHz, <18 inches long)
  • Small tablet computer for data acquisition and display software
  • Mobile GPS navigation receiver (sub 20cm accuracy)
  • Rugged or semi-rugged laptop (corei7, 16GB RAM, 250GB HD)
  • Additional rugged case for components
  • Staging tripods/clamps

• Performance:

  • Detect secondary fields from long conductors (>100m) operated at 10% below FCC maximum emission limits.
  • Sensitive to fields in the picotesla range.

• Data Acquisition:

  • Software to control frequency setup, validation, data collection initiation/stoppage.
  • Real-time display of relative locations and magnetic field measurements.
  • Data saved independently per receiver at a minimum 10Hz sampling rate.
  • System status alerts (battery, temperature, GPS).
  • Merges GPS navigation data with EMG data.
  • Automatic file naming (MMDD_###).
  • Output data in CSV format with header details.
  • Data synchronized for all channels, merged with 1Hz GPS data, output frequency >= 10Hz.

• Deliverables:

  • One (1) full system as defined.
  • System Design Drawings (physical and electronic-pdf).
  • Instrument assembly/disassembly manual (physical and electronic-pdf).
  • Instrument operation manual (physical and electronic-pdf).
  • Software operation manual (physical and electronic-pdf).
  • In-person training on instrument assembly and operation.

• Period of Performance: Delivery within 6 months after award or agreed upon alternative delivery date.

• Payment: Contractor receives payment only after delivery, testing, and acceptance by government personnel.

• Shipping Terms: FOB Destination (all shipping costs included in vendor's quote).

• Testing: Device will be tested by government personnel to ensure 100% specification compliance and functionality.

• Acceptance: Device must be determined acceptable by government personnel.

Not specified in this document.

• The total system weight (EMG-SSH and all components) should not exceed 30 lbs.
• Testing will be completed at distances of 10m and greater.
• Delivery Location: Engineer Research and Development Center, Vicksburg, MS.