Gamma Radiation Spectrometers

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Acquisition & Grants Office, Western Acquisition Division - Boulder, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.501(a)(1), with Radiation Solutions Inc. of Ontario, Canada, for the purchase three RSX-5/RS-500 digital airborne gamma radiation spectrometers. The National Weather Service (NWS), National Water Center (NWC) Airborne Gamma Survey Program conducts aerial snow survey operations in the snow-affected regions of the United States and Canada. During the snow season (January-April), snow water equivalent measurements are gathered over a number of the 2000+ pre-surveyed flight lines using a gamma radiation detection system mounted in the cabin of the aircraft. In the fall season, the same equipment is used to measure the soil moisture before snowfall is expected, and to measure the background radiation signature of new flight lines. During survey flights, this system is flown at 500 feet above the ground at ground speeds ranging between 100 and 120 knots. Gamma radiation emitted from the earth is attenuated by soil moisture in the upper 20 cm of soil and water mass in the snow cover. Through careful analysis, differences between airborne radiation measurements made over bare ground are compared to that of snow-covered ground. The radiation differences are corrected for airmass attenuation and extraneous gamma contamination from cosmic sources. The airmass correction is calculated using the output from precision temperature, radar altimeter, and pressure sensors mounted on and within the aircraft. Output from the Snow Survey system results in a mean areal snow water equivalent value within +/- one centimeter. Data collected during snow survey missions, including observed ground and weather conditions, are used by the National Weather Service (NWS) and other agencies to forecast river levels and potential flooding events due to snowmelt water runoff. Hydroelectric power interests and other water supply managers also use the data to regulate water storage and delivery. The systems currently being used are nearing the end of their life cycle, and Radiation Solutions Inc. (RSI) is uniquely qualified to provide form, fit function replacements for NOAA's aging equipment. The gamma radiation spectrometers have been integrated into the aircraft used to fly this equipment. Such integration includes data inputs to the aircrafts pressure, temperature, radar altimeter, and GPS components. Custom racks used to house the spectrometers have been engineered into the aircraft and approved by the FAA. Changes would be subject to custom design and FAA approval, a process which is both time consuming and costly. Further, any changes to the power supplies or data feed locations would require new wiring and further alteration to the aircraft. Finally, all associated software and hardware have evolved or been customized to fit the spectrometers currently in use. The current software program, Airborne Gamma Data Acquisition Software (AGDAS), is designed to work with RSI's RadAssist software. Introducing a new spectrometer would result in an additional requirement to procure a completely new software program. To ensure operational integrity, any new system would then be subject to testing. All NOAA aircraft are operational, and aircraft are not available for pure testing purposes. As such, it is not feasible to replace the gamma radiation spectrometers with a product other than what can be provided by RSI. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide equipment that fully meets the Government's requirements, they may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 10 days after publication of this synopsis. Information clearly articulating the ability to meet the below salient characteristics shall be provided. A rough order of magnitude must also be provided. All documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Minimum salient characteristics include the following: - The spectrometer must have 1024 channel output with optionally selectable 512 or 256 channel output within the energy spectra of gamma-ray sources. - The system must allow connection of an unlimited number of detection crystals without spectral degradation. The system shall support a minimum of four 4L NaI(Tl) down looking detection crystals and one 4L NaI(Tl) up looking detection crystal. - The system must permit data throughput of 250,000 counts per second (cps) per crystal detector. - The vendor must provide hardware and software training for system operators. - The system shall include dedicated software including graphical user interface, system diagnostics and error messaging. The system software shall allow integration with external aircraft data inputs including pressure, temperature, radar altimeter and GPS. The vendor must provide source code and data formats. - The system shall have extensive self-diagnostic capabilities. - Detector case must be rated for +/- 18G loading in X, Y and Z axes. - System Physical characteristics: - All system components shall be self contained and co-located in the crystal container, with the exception of vendor-provided software to be run on an external customer-provided computer. - The system shall include a detachable rack to be attached to the crystal container for mounting of external customer- provided computer. - The rack or crystal container shall include an FAA compliant aircraft rated static inverter to provide 115vac power from six outlets required for powering peripheral equipment drawing between 10 and 15 amps. - The container should have handles to facilitate manual movement. - The size of the crystal container shall be smaller than (30Lx24Wx14H inches). - The maximum size of the integrated rack and crystal container shall be smaller than 30Lx24Wx26H inches. - The system must be specifically designed for aviation use and must not be constructed with laboratory-grade equipment or parts normally used for static laboratory applications or other mobile non-aviation purposes. - Must have a performance history for the specific purpose of airborne data collection. - Actual temperature testing of the entire detector package, from -20 degrees centigrade to +50 degrees centigrade, is required for functional verification and quality assurance prior to purchase by NOAA.