SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- CNS Analyzer
- Notice Date
- 4/24/2002
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- Contracting Office
- Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Southern Plains Area Office, 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 230, College Station, TX, 77840
- ZIP Code
- 77840
- Solicitation Number
- R05-7MN1-02
- Response Due
- 5/16/2002
- Archive Date
- 5/31/2002
- Point of Contact
- Michael Douglas, Contract Specialist, Phone (979) 260-9480, Fax (979) 260-9413,
- E-Mail Address
-
mdouglas@spa.ars.usda.gov
- Description
- This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is R05-7MN1-02 and is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The NAICS is 334516, business size 500 employees. This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-06. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Conservation & Production Research Laboratory requests the procurement of (one) Carbon/Nitrogen/Sulfur (CN) Analyzer. Minimum specifications include: 1) The elemental analyzer must be capable of simultaneous determination of carbon and nitrogen by combusting the sample and measuring concentrations in the entire contents of the evolved combustion gases. 2) The system must employ electronic mass flow controllers for the regulation of the helium carrier gas and oxygen combustion gas. 3) The system must employ a single thermal conductivity detector and analyze all of the analyte gasses resulting from combustion without the utilization of a gas splitting system. This is an important consideration since gas splitting systems and associated ballast chambers increase the likelihood of system leaks and can dramatically increase maintenance requirements. 4) The system must be able to measure from 0.02 mg to 150 mg absolute nitrogen and from 0.02 to 400 mg absolute carbon. 5) The system must be capable of handling the following sample sizes: Soils up to 1.5 g, moist manure samples up to 0.5 g, plant tissue up to 5 cubic centimeters in size, and liquid samples up to 4 ml in volume. Large sample sizes are important for our applications since it considerably reduces sample preparation time and reduces the number of required replications. The system must be able to analyze moist samples. 6) The system must have a 60 position or greater automatic sample loading device, capable of handling both solid or liquid samples. Sampling device must remove the ash from the analysis after each sample. 7) The system must include all software required for the operation of the instrument by an external PC operating in Windows 98 or higher. 8) The system must employ a combustion tube made from stainless steel to eliminate the possibility of breakage due to thermal shock in the case of a power outage. 9) The system must be supplied with gas regulators, tubing, and electronic balance required for operation. The cost for these accessories and any other required accessories must be included in the total bid amount. 10) The system must include installation and training by a factory trained representative and be covered by at least a 12-month parts and labor warranty. Alternative Bid Specifications: Include capability for analysis of sulfur in addition to carbon and nitrogen. In addition to the specifications above: 1) Capable of simultaneous determination of the elements in carbon and nitrogen (CN mode) or carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur (CNS mode), by combusting the sample and measuring the entire contents of nitrogen, carbon, and sulfur in the combustion gasses. 2) Sulfur is analyzed using a thermal conductivity detector. 3) In the CNS mode the system must be able to analyze solids for 0.02 to 30 mg absolute nitrogen, 0.02 to 200 mg absolute carbon, and from 0.02 to 15 mg absolute sulfur. 4) Must be able to accommodate a quartz combustion tube when in the CNS mode to permit combustion at higher temperatures. The contractor shall perform all delivery, set-up and training so that the CN/CNS Analyzer is complete and ready to use. The CN/CNS Analyzer shall be delivered to the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Conservation & Production Research Laboratory, 2300 Experiment Station Rd, Bushland, TX 79012. The Government "DESIRES" delivery within 90 days after receipt of order, however, each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their quotation. Acceptance and FOB point are destination. In order to be considered for award offerors shall provide a quotation on company letterhead detailing the unit pricing; descriptive literature, brochures, and five references for the proposed equipment. References must have received the proposed equipment within the last three calendar years (Government references preferred but will accept commercial references) shall also be provided for the product quoted. FAR 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items), FAR 52.212-2 (Evaluation - Commercial Items), the significant evaluation factors, in the relative order of importance, are (i) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement; (ii) past performance; and (iii) price (based on F.O.B. Destination), where technical and past performance are significantly more important than price. EVALUATION & AWARD FACTORS - CARBON/NITROGEN ANALYZER: The contract resulting from this solicitation will be awarded to the responsible party whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, is determined most advantageous to the government, cost, and other factors considered. Each proposal shall respond to each of the evaluation factors identified below. With the exception of past performance, a technical evaluation will be performed on each proposal based solely on the information furnished and not on previous knowledge or associations. The evaluation factors are as follows: (1) Technical Evaluation Factors: A) Discuss in the proposal ability to furnish a combustion C/N analyzer that determines the concentration of elemental carbon and nitrogen in macro samples (> 200 mg) by analysis of the evolved combustion gasses. B) Address how the analyzer controls the flow of analyte gasses from the combustion tube to the detector(s), the use of gas splitting systems (if any), and the type of detectors employed for carbon and nitrogen. C) Address the maximum sample weights/volumes for soil and plant tissue samples and liquid samples and the measurement range for absolute levels (mg) of carbon and nitrogen. D) Discuss the measurement precision of the analyzer for both carbon and nitrogen. E) Discuss the composition of the combustion tube and associated likelihood of breakage due to power outages. F) Discuss the automatic sample loading device, crucibles, and the removal of ash (generated by combusting the sample) from the combustion tube after each analysis. G) Discuss the troubleshooting tools and aides relating to detecting, locating, and repairing flow system leaks and blockages and discuss analyzer design with respect to innovations aimed at minimizing leak problems. H) Discuss the electrical power and space requirements of the instrument. I) Discuss the accessories (gas regulators, balance, etc.) included in the bid. J) Discuss installation, training, and warranty services included in the bid. (2) Past Performance: A) Provide sufficient information to demonstrate the ability of the firm to provide quality performance. Describe the availability and competence of technical personnel employed for installation and phone support lines. B) The offeror may provide a list of references, names, phone numbers of researchers or research organizations that have previously purchased their analyzer. Past performance information under previous contracts will be evaluated to determine the contractor's history as it relates to customer satisfaction and standards of good workmanship. (3) Price: A) The bid offer must include the cost of all software, gas regulators, tubing, electronic balance, combustion tube and any other accessories required for the operation of the instrument. Alternate Bid Technical Evaluation Factors - CNS Analyzer (1) Discuss the flow of analyte gasses in relation to the detection of sulfur by the analyzer. (2) Discuss what modes the analyzer can be operated in (e.g. CN, CNS, etc.) and the range in absolute sulfur, nitrogen, and carbon (mg) that can be detected under each mode. FAR 52.212-4 (Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items) apply to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-5 (Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items) also applies, with the following clauses from (b) applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.203-6; FAR 52.219-4; FAR 52.219-8; FAR 52.219-23; FAR 52.222-26; FAR 52.222-35; FAR 52.222-36; FAR 52.222-37; FAR 52.225-16; FAR 52.232-36. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items), with this offer; a copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting officer or at http://www.arnet.gov/far. Any amendment and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Internet site: http://www.eps.gov. Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of these documents (if any). It is the offerors responsibility to monitor the site for release of the solicitation and any related documents. Furnish quotations to Michael Douglas, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, SPA, 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 230, College Station, Texas, 77840, no later than 3:00p.m., May 16, 2002. Quotations my be provided by facsimile to (979) 260-9413 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the contracting officer at (979) 260-9480 (voice) or email below.
- Place of Performance
- Address: USDA, ARS, Conservation & Production Research Laboratory, 2300 Experimant Station Road, Bushland, Texas
- Zip Code: 79012
- Zip Code: 79012
- Record
- SN00065290-W 20020426/020424213147 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
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