66--NOVAC Scanner Systems

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) intends to award a purchase order to Chalmers University, Sweden, for Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change (NOVAC) scanners. The purpose of this notice is to satisfy the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12. The USGS requires thirty NOVAC Scanners to assemble Scanning Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (Scanning DOAS) systems, which are essential tools for monitoring volcanic activity. • The NOVAC Scanners are custom-built optics that scan the sky along a cone-shaped envelope surrounding the volcanic vent being monitored. • The scanners collect scattered skylight and couple it into an ultraviolet (UV)-transmitting fiber optic cable leading to a miniature spectrometer. • The spectrometer records the spectral radiance of incident light, which is then analyzed for absorption features related to volcanic gases present in the atmosphere. • The gathered volcanic gas information can be used by observatory staff to develop eruption forecasts. • The NOVAC Scanners are the only instruments that can be integrated into the existing stations of the Network for Observation of Volcanic and Atmospheric Change.