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FBO DAILY - FEDBIZOPPS ISSUE OF DECEMBER 19, 2014 FBO #4773
SOURCES SOUGHT

B -- Isotope analysis of atmospheric trace gases and measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds in atmospheric air samples

Notice Date

12/17/2014
 

Notice Type

Sources Sought
 

NAICS

541380 — Testing Laboratories
 

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Western Acquisition Division-Boulder, 325 Broadway - MC3, Boulder, Colorado, 80305-3328, United States
 

ZIP Code

80305-3328
 

Solicitation Number

NRMJ10001500389
 

Archive Date

1/15/2015
 

Point of Contact

Sue Bratton, Phone: 303-497-6155
 

E-Mail Address

Sue.Bratton@noaa.gov
(Sue.Bratton@noaa.gov)
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

PROJECT TITLE: Isotope analysis of atmospheric trace gases and measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds in atmospheric air samples LOCATION OF WORK: Samples to be delivered to: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) Global Monitoring Division (GMD) at the David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, CO. NAICS CODE: 541380 - Testing Laboratories and the small business size standard is $15.0 M. DESCRIPTION: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Earth System Research Laboratory (ESRL) Global Monitoring Division (GMD) Global Greenhouse Gas Reference Network (GGGRN) is conducting market research for vendors that can provide an analysis of isotopic ratios, radio carbon, and volatile organic compounds from atmospheric air samples from the network. NOAA is seeking a vendor capable of providing all of the below requirements. The analysis of atmospheric trace gases from NOAA GGGRN atmospheric air samples (http://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/ccgg/) is a critically important component of NOAA's research. In addition to the mole fraction measurements of these air samples made at NOAA, there is significant added value from analysis of isotopic ratios, radio carbon, and volatile organic compounds (VOC) from these same air samples. Isotopic ratios add information on atmospheric greenhouse gas sources and sinks that is not available from measurements of greenhouse gas concentrations alone. For example, measurements of the 13CO2:12CO2 ratio in CO2 can provide information on ecosystem level drought stress and ecosystem photosynthetic pathways, in addition to the fractions of atmospheric CO2 absorbed by the land and the oceans. Measurements of the carbon and hydrogen isotopic ratios in atmospheric methane similarly provide information on the sources and sinks responsible for observed atmospheric variations of the compound. While CO2 concentration measurements constrain the total amount of carbon sources and sinks, the addition of 14CO2:12CO2 ratio measurements allow for the direct atmospheric determination of fossil fuel-derived CO2 sources (and by difference, the sources and/or sinks from the terrestrial biosphere). VOC, in particular non-methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) and NMHC/methane correlations, provide insight into biogenic versus human methane sources, photochemical formation of pollutants, and regional tropospheric ozone production with implications for human health and ecosystem services. Isotope analysis of multiple atmospheric trace gases and measurement of VOC in atmospheric air samples from the GGGRN and related programs. Aliquots are to be taken from a) pairs of 2.2 liter sample flasks in the global network and b) samples within Programmable Flask Packages (PFPs). Precision requirements are those deemed necessary for scientifically meaningful detection of expected gradients within the atmosphere. 1. Processing and measurement requirements: a. Stable isotopes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Provide quantitative isotopic measurement from whole-air atmospheric samples for carbon dioxide including 13C and 18O. Results to be reported in per mil (‰) relative to and on scales established by international (IAEA) primary reference materials. The reproducibility of the measurements should be ± 0.02 ‰ and ± 0.05 ‰ for carbon and oxygen respectively. Measurements will be done on 500 cc of air or less. The long term measurement performance must be demonstrated based on past performance in measuring repeat measurements from control cylinders, as for example in Vaughn et al. [2010] and Trolier et al. [1996]. b. Radiocarbon (14C) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Provide i) quantitative, cryogenic extraction and purification of CO2 from whole-air atmospheric samples, ii) graphitization, and iii) AMS 14C measurement with iv) combined, long-term (multi-year) external measurement repeatability of 2 ‰ or better (1-sigma on 14C scale). The long-term measurement performance must be demonstrated based on past performance in measuring repeat extraction aliquots of whole air from control cylinders, as for example in Lehman et al. [2013] and Turnbull et al. [2007]. c. Stable isotopes of Methane (CH4): Provide quantitative isotopic measurement from whole-air atmospheric samples for methane including 13C and D. Results to be reported in per mil (‰) relative to and on scales established by international (IAEA) primary reference materials. The reproducibility of the measurements should be ± 0.08 ‰ and ± 2 ‰ for carbon and hydrogen respectively. Measurements will be done on total of 200cc of air or less for both isotopes. The long term measurement performance must be demonstrated based on past performance in measuring repeat measurements from control cylinders, as for example in Vaughn et al. [2004] d. Volatile Organic Compounds and Non-methane hydrocarbons: Provide quantitative speciated measurement from whole-air atmospheric samples for VOC, including but not limited to ethane, propane, butane isomers, pentane isomers, n-hexane, isoprene, benzene and toluene. Results to be reported in mole fraction (nmol mol-1), with calibration scales to be traceable long term and against international standard scales. Calibration scales need to conform to the scale of the World Calibration Center for VOC (http://imk-ifu.fzk.de/wcc-voc/). Accuracy and reproducibility need to meet or exceed thresholds defined by the WMO GAW. Measurements will be done on no more than 500 ml of air or less for all VOC. The long term measurement performance must be demonstrated based on past performance in measuring repeat measurements from control cylinders and by WCC audits. e. References and standards: Suites of compressed whole-air cylinders shall be analyzed for a.) - c.) above and maintained over years to decades to ensure scale stability and comparability to other global measurements. They will also provide metrics of long-term reproducibility. 2. Sample turn-around time: a. Stable isotopes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Provide in-lab turn around time typically less than one week for isotopic analysis of NOAA network flask and PFP samples, as required to return flasks and PFPs into circulation in the sampling network. It is anticipated that longer delays might be occasionally necessary as instrument downtime dictates, recognizing that these are difficult and not routine measurements. b. Radiocarbon (14C) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Provide in-lab turn around time of typically less than one week for extraction and purification of CO2 in NOAA network flask samples and PFPs at rates of 20-100 authentic samples per week (up to 5000 sa/yr). A proven, automated extraction capability is preferred [e.g. Turnbull et al. 2010; Lehman et al. 2013]. It is anticipated that longer delays might be occasionally necessary as instrument downtime dictates, recognizing that these are difficult and not routine measurements. c. Stable Isotopes of Methane (CH4): Provide in-lab turn around time typically less than 10 days for all isotopic analysis of NOAA network flask and PFPs samples. It is anticipated that longer delays might be occasionally necessary as instrument downtime dictates, recognizing that these are difficult and not routine measurements. d. Volatile Organic Compounds and Non-methane hydrocarbons: Provide in-lab turn around time typically less than 10 days for all VOC analyses in network flask samples. It is anticipated that longer delays may be occasionally necessary as instrument downtime dictates, recognizing that these are difficult and not routine measurements. e. References and standards: The lab(s) might be asked to analyze reference gas cylinders for other labs to assist in calibration and inter-comparisons. These need to be performed in a timely manner to expedite the process and so results can be shared. 3. Measurement capacity: a. Stable isotopes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Provide analysis of up to 20,000 samples per year from network flasks and PFPs. b. Radiocarbon (14C) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Provide for extraction of up to 5,000 authentic samples per year and measurement of 1,000 to 3,000 authentic samples per year from network flasks and PFPs. c. Stable Isotopes of Methane (CH4): Provide analysis of up to 10,000 samples per year from network flasks and PFPs. d. Volatile Organic Compounds and Non-methane hydrocarbons: Provide analysis of up to 3,000 samples per year from network flasks and PFP's. e. References and standards: Provide analysis of up to 100 control cylinders per year. 4. Data management and traceability: a. The laboratory (or laboratories) will be expected to have traceability to international reference materials that place sample data on established measurement scales. Data should be available that will allow all samples to be post processed at any time to account for subsequent adjustments to reference scales. b. The laboratory (or laboratories) will be expected to provide analysis data that is compatible with the NOAA GGGRN data base and be able to upload data electronically within a timely manner. Coordination must occur with NOAA IT staff to ensure that all remote access security requirements are met. c. The laboratory (or laboratories) will be expected to participate in inter-comparison exercises with other labs around the world. This will document the ability of NOAA produced data to be used in conjunction with other data sets without significant scale offsets or measurement artifacts. Coordination will be made with the NOAA GGGRN to make data freely available for this effort. A typical delivery schedule for 12 months of sampling is as follows: a. Stable isotopes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 10,000 Samples b. Radiocarbon (14C) of Carbon Dioxide (CO2): 600 Samples c. Stable isotopes of Methane (CH4): 1,500 Samples d. Volatile Organic Compounds and Non-methane hydrocarbons: 350 Samples e. References and standards: 100 Samples CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION: To be eligible for award, a contractor must (1) be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. All offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) identifier. A DUNS number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet at (800) 333-0505 or online at https://eupdate.dnb.com, then click on "D&B D-U-N-S Number". RESPONSES: Responses to this RFI must include a brief discussion of vendor qualifications, related experience, and technical capability. Interested parties should email the Company Name, DUNS number, Point of Contract, telephone number, and business size standard to the Contract Specialist. If potential vendor is a GSA contract holder please notify the Contract Specialist if item is available on schedule. This RFI does not constitute and invitation for bids, request for proposal, or request for quote and there is no related solicitation posted. Accordingly, respondents will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in providing a response. Responses to this RFI shall be submitted via e-mail to Sue Bratton, Affiliate, Contract Specialist, at sue.bratton @noaa.gov. Do not call regarding this sources sought notice. Any questions or responses regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via e-mail to the above e-mail address.
 

Web Link

FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/MASC/NRMJ10001500389/listing.html)
 

Place of Performance

Address: David Skaggs Research Center 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado, 80305, United States

Zip Code: 80305
 

Record

SN03598775-W 20141219/141217234659-e03a90c1efb3ba7fe1ff28f70df2fe61 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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