Matted Geophone Array

Matted Geophone Array Capability Assessment

Overview

ERDCWERX invites submissions that address the following requirements as defined by its government partner, the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL).

Problem Statement

The Army requires an array of geophone sensors and supporting cables, battery, and data acquisition (DAQ) devices that can be easily deployable by non-technical personnel on a hard surface (e.g., concrete or asphalt) to listen for underground construction activity (such as digging) within ~100 m distance between source and receivers. 

Project Objective

The objective is to understand the industry’s ability to provide or design a matted geophone array that is self-contained into a fixed, mat-like arrangement using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) instrumentation that meets or exceeds specific requirements identified by the ERDC-GSL. 

Requirements

Candidate products and/or designs should meet or exceed the threshold (minimum standard) listed below. To demonstrate capabilities, please provide: 

  • Product specifications that validate performance claims (see requirements table below); and/or 
  • Plans to design the matted geophone array using COTS instrumentation

​This project consists of a novel arrangement of sensors into a fixed position. The purpose of the mat is to contain the geophone sensors and cables into an array that would allow a non-technical person to quickly deploy. The prototype is envisioned as a mat or rug that can be “rolled out”. The spacing between the sensors is set by bars or some kind of structure that properly spaces the geophones. The spacing of the geophones should be equal in a grid-type array or as a rectangle with one geophone in the middle. The spacing should be set to best meet the other requirements. Essentially, the mat is the array that would then be used on a hard surface. The sensors cannot be buried in this application. A simple concept example is given in Figure 1. Note that the number of sensors and configuration may be different.

Interested parties are invited to provide your current capabilities that address the requirements. 

Note: All items submitted in the capability statement shall comply with U.S. Export regulations including, but not limited to, the requirements of the Arms Export Control Act, 22 U.S.C. § § 2751-2794, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 C.F.R. § 120 et seq.; and the Export Administration Act, 50 U.S.C. app. § 2401-2420. 

Current State

ERDC seeks to identify what is currently commercially available that meets the minimum RFI specifications.

Expected Result

The Government intends to use the information received from this RFI to inform the acquisition strategy necessary to meet project goals.

Note: Submissions should NOT include confidential or proprietary details.

Notional Project Schedule

Project milestones include: 

  • 13 January 2022 Project Announced, Submissions Open 
  • 25 January 2022 Question Submission Timeframe Closes
  • ​01 February 2022 Submissions Close

How to Participate

1. Review FAQ
2. Complete the submission form with supplemental content as appropriate

Questions: Interested parties may submit questions using this form until Tuesday, 25 January 2022. Responses will be posted on the FAQ page.

Submission Instructions: Submissions should NOT include confidential or proprietary details.

Submissions must meet stated requirements and be received no later than 3:00 pm CST on 01 February 2022.

ERDCWERX does not require that the submitting party be certified to do business with the federal government. Interested parties may submit by completing a submission form and including appropriate documentation. Industry, academia, national labs, individual innovators, and other parties are invited to apply for consideration.

Share This Project