US Env. Protection Agency, CMD-RTP MD-33 (NCCM-kp), Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

H -- X-RAY DIFFRACTOMETER SOL D600596M1 DUE 081096 POC Kathryn Peele, Contract Specialist, (919)541-3083; Barbara H. Stearrett, Contracting Officer, (919)541-3113. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has a requirement for a Powder X-ray Diffractometer suitable for mineralogical identification of major and minor rock-forming minerals, ore minerals, and solid waste materials. The Diffractometer must have all new components and must be suitable for qualitative and quantitative phase identification of major and minor rock-forming minerals, ore minerals, clay minerals, and solid waste minerals. 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 UNDER WHICH PROPOSALS ARE BEING REQUESTED. A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. This Solicitation No. D600596M1 is a Request for Proposals (RFP). The Solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through FAR Circular 38. The associated Standard Industrial Code is 3823. The required Powder X-ray Diffractometer must meet the following specifications: (1) High voltage, X-ray generator capable of at least 3.0 kw maximum output, and stabilized, constant voltage and current adjustable to at least 60 kv and 60 ma, respectively. Stability must be within +/- 0.01% for both voltage and current with +/- 10% line fluctuation. The instrument must include all necessary cables and connectors, real-time display of generator status, a water cooling system, and safety interlocks for coolant failure. (2) Wide-angle goniometer with stepping motors for theta/theta motion in a vertical orientation. Measuring circle radius of at least 200 mm. Minimum goniometer motor step size of at least 0.001 degrees. Goniometer accuracy of +/- 0.005 degrees and positioning precision of +/- 0.001 degrees. Measurement range of 2-theta at least 0-160 degrees, with an ability to collect data on materials with peak information as low as 1 degree of 2-theta angle. Capable of a range of data collection speeds from 0.1 degree/min to 30 degree/min of 2-theta angle. Slew speed of 600 degree/min of 2-theta angle. Computer control of goniometer; (3) An optics system that incorporates a system of matched, fixed slits and collimators appropriate for reducing divergence, scatter, and background radiation. The optics system must be suitable for mixed-component phase identification, including but not limited to low-angle analysis of clay minerals; (4) Copper and cobalt X-ray tubes. Tube shield with electromechanical shutters and warning lights; (5) Set of beta-filters including Ni, Fe, Mn, V, Zr filters. Filter holder to allow optional use of filters; (6) Solid-state thermoelectrically (Peltier) cooled, silicon detector with associated electronics; (7) Detachable, single fixed sample stage suitable for powders, plates, wafers, and standard size glass slides; (8) Detachable, computer controlled spinning sample stage suitable for powders, plates, and wafers; (9) Detachable, computer controlled, sample changer holding at least 6 samples; (10) Complete cabinet that encloses XRD system for X-ray protection from direct and scattered beams. The enclosure must have a viewing window, X-ray warning light, and safety interlock switches that automatically close the shutter if the enclosure is opened. The enclosure must meet all local, state, and federal X-ray radiation safety requirements. A key lock must be present to control use of the X-ray generator; (11) A closed circuit water-to-air chiller to provide heat exchanger water sufficient to adequately cool the tube and generator at maximum load; (12) Computer hardware/software control system for goniommeter, optics, data management, and data processing and presentation. Personal computer (PC) specifications must possess the following: Pentium 166 MHz processor, 512 KB cache, 64 MB memory, 2 serial/1 parallel ports, 3 available accessory slots, 2 GB internal IDE hard drive, 1.44 MB internal floppy drive, internal 4X IDE cd-rom drive, internal tape backup drive, 28,000 baud v.34 internal fax/modem, 17'' SVGA non-interlaced monitor with 2 MB memory, keyboard, mouse, 4-color 600 dpi printer. The hardware/software system must allow pre-emptive multitasking with Windows-NT so that the diffractometer may be computer controlled, while other data processing tasks are accomplished. Windows-NT compatibility is neccessary to provide compatibility with other laboratory applications; (13) Windows-NT compatible software for automated data acquisition for powder diffraction measurements, instrument control, system diagnostics, data management, graphics display and file output, pattern manipulation, background subtraction, addition and subtraction of mixed-phase constituents, peak-height and peak-area indexing, profile fitting, ICDD PDF-2 cd-rom data base, pattern simulation from ICDD reference files and from user-generated files, search and match capability, and printer output. Data files must be easily convertible to an ASCII format. All necessary software to operate system must be included. Additional considerations and requirements include: (1) Prior to an award, demonstration of an equivalent system must be provided, if requested by the Agency, at a CONUS location within 2 weeks of the request. A hard-copy diffractogram output of an EPA-provided sample may be required in the demonstration. (2) A minimum of 1 day of operations training and 2 days of applications training upon installation of the equipment shall be provided. All testing must be performed to ensure a fully operational system that meets specification upon installation. (3) The Contractor shall offer to the Government at least the same warranty terms, including extended warranties, offered to the general public in customary commercial practice. A minimum warranty of 1 year is desired. (4) Onsite repair/maintenance service must be provided during normal business hours (8 a.m.-5 p.m., PST) within 2 business days of a trouble call. Telephone response time must be guaranteed within two hours of a trouble call within normal business hours. (5) Software upgrades, new releases/versions within a period of two years of purchase, are to be included in the purchase price. All hardware to implement and use software upgrades is to be included in the purchase price. (6) The equipment must be listed and labeled by a third party listing Agency in accordance with Washington State Building/Electrical Code requirements. (7) Offeror shall provide a list of 3 users, with phone numbers, of an equivalent system with similar applications. Delivery is required within 70 days of contract award. Brochures or manufacturer specifications must be included with your offer. Contractor shall notify Project Officer at least 1 week prior to shipping. FOB destination is: U.S. EPA Region X Environmental Laboratory, 7411 Beach Drive Rd., Port Orchard, WA 92366. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors- Commercial Items; 52.212-2, Evaluation- Commercial Items. Evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of provision 52.212-2 are as follows in descending order of importance: (1) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirements; and (2) price. All offerors are to include with their offers a completed copy of provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions- Commercial Items also applies to this solicitation. The following additional FAR clauses, which are cited in 52.212-5 are applicable to this solicitation: 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, with Alternate I; 52.203-10, Price or Fee Adjustment for Illegal or Improper Activity; 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns and Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222.35, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers; 52.222-37, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.225-3, Buy American Act-Supplies; 52.225-18, European Community Sanction for End Products; 52.225-21, Buy American Act-North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act-Balance of Payments Program. Offers shall be submitted to Kathryn Peele, Contract Specialist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, MD-33, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Courier delivery address is: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Receptionist- Administration Bldg. Lobby; Attn: Kathryn Peele, 79 Alexander Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. All offers are due by August 20, 1996, 4:30 p.m., EST. Offers/bids received after the exact time specified will not be considered. Telephonic, faxed, or electronically submitted proposals will not be accepted. (0212)

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