USDA-ARS-MWA, Contracting Office, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604

66 -- RESPIROMETER SYSTEM SOL #2 DUE 061297 POC Gladys Grebner (309)681-6612 The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area has a requirement to purchase a 16 channels open circuit & 20 channels closed circuit respirometer for the NCAUR, Peoria IL. 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. This is being issued as a Request for Quotation. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-45. This solicitation is 100% small business set-aside SIC #3556, 500 employees. CLIN 0001 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax 02 & CO2 (dual gas) 20 chamber system to comprise: micro-oxymax oxygen sensor (18%-22% range) micro-oxymax carbon dioxide sensor (0%-15% range) micro-oxymax system sample pump with dual dryers micro-oxymax 20 chamber expansion cabinet micro-oxymax analog acquisition & valve control card, micro-oxymax software for DOS with instruction manual, micro-oxymax standard 02 consumption test cell, pentium 120 MHZ 512kbyte cache & 16 mbyte edo ram, 1 gbyte hard disk drive & 3 "disk drive, 64-bit video w/ 1mbyte ram & 14" 0.28 dot pitch color monitor, epson fx-870 printer part #7395(20)-D-KK or equal, 1 each. CLIN 0002 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax flask assembly w/ 3 fittings part #7395-113-D-35 or equal, 20 each. CLIN 0003 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax open circuit option for 10 chambers part #7395-75-D-35 or equal, 1 each. CLIN 0004 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax open circuit option for chambers 11-16 part #7395-76-D-35 or equal, 6 each. CLIN 0005 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax air pump (20 LPM) part #7395-60-D-35 or equal, 2 each. CLIN 0006 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax 10 chamber condensing air dryer part #7395-4-D-35 or equal, 2 each. CLIN 0007 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax flask assembly w/ 3 fitting part #7395-113-D-35 or equal, 20 each. CLIN 0008 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax 1/8" plastic tubing part #7395-30-D-35 equal, 1 each. CLIN 0009 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax in-line 0.2um PTFE air filter part #7395-40A-D-35 or equal, 20 each. CLIN 0010 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax aquasorb indicating drying agent part #7395-50-D-35 or equal, 1 each. CLIN 0011 Columbus Instruments micro-oxymax CO2 range extension (0-1% & 0-15%). The salient characteristics that an approved equal must meet are as follows: Must be new -- not remanufactured equipment. The system should be modular and fit on top of a normal laboratory bench. The system should allow continuous, automatic measurement of CO2, produced and O2 consumed for at least 20 different samples simultaneously. All pumps, valves and electronics required for this automatic operation need to be provided by the bidder. The sensors for measuring CO2 and O2 concentrations should be located external tothe sample chambers and should not be significantly affected by changes in room temperature or pressure. The system should be capable of sensitive operation, i.e. it should be able to measure changes of 3 ul CO2 and 02 per hour for small samples in closed system operation. The interval of time between measurement of CO2 and O2 concentrations should be able to be changed by the user. The C. sensor shall have a detection range of 0 to at least 10% C0, and the O2 sensor a range of at least 18-22% O2. The system should allow NCAUR personnel to use their own sample chambers or bottles up to 10 L in size. The bidder should supply 20 250 ml glass bottles and all gas line fittings. These fittings should allow air to be introduced at the top or bottom of the chamber by use of detachable tube which can be extended to the bottom of the chamber. NCAUR has several constant temperature water baths to maintain sample temperature so the bidder need not provide these. It should be possible for the operator to vary sample temperature during the experiment without disturbing CO2 and O2 detection. The system should have the capability of automatically purging the sample chambers with air at time intervals set by the operator. The system should also be capable of operating with continuous air flow (open system operation) through the sample chambers (at least 15) and include any air pumps or accessories necessary for this task. The system should also include condensing dryers which will return vaporized moisture back into the sample chambers (at least 20). Other accessories such as plastic tubing, air filters, air pumps, drying agent, etc. which are necessary for the operation of the specified system configured should be included. The gas sensor response and effective chamber volumes shall be easily calibrated with the use of commercially available mixtures of O2, CO2 and N2 and the system software provided. The respirometer system shall include a computer and appropriate software to automate the system and make user intervention unnecessary throughout the experiment. The computer shall be IBM compatible having a pentium (or greater) processor, at least16 Mbyte RAM, hard disk, 3 1/2" floppy drive, monitor and a printer. Software should be included which will perform the functions indicated in system operation above, including valve and pump operation, setting desired measurement interval, displaying real time CO2 and O2 concentrations for each of the sample chambers, cumulative CO2 produced and O2 consumed for each of the chambers, data storage and printing. Both installation and operator training at NCAUR shall be provided by the bidder. The bidder shall replace or repair defective equipment for a period of at least 1 year after purchase and delivery. Delivery to be within 30 days after receipt of order to USDA-ARS-MWA, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604. The resultant contract will be FOB Destination. FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation -- Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, and FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. Quotations will be evaluated on price and price related factors. Offerors offering "equals" should submit descriptive literature for evaluation. All items are tax exempt. Offers are to be received Not Later than the Close of Business, June 12, 1997 at USDA-ARS-MWA, Contracting Office, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604. The POC for this acquisition is Gladys Grebner, (309) 681-6612. (0147)

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