National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div., Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

B -- MASS SPECTRAL EVALUATION SERVICES SOL 52SBNB7C1222 DUE 081397 POC Linda Shariati, Contracting Officer, (301)975-5053 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. This is a small business set aside under SIC code 8748; The size standard applicable to this procurement is $5 million (average annual receipts for preceding 3 fiscal years). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Mass Spectral Data Center (MSDC) of the Physical and Chemical Properties Division (PCPD) requires mass spectral evaluation services for the evaluation of the quality of reported mass spectra by using the structure of the compound and known good spectra of similar compounds. This evaluation involves determining that the mass spectra of a compound with a given structure is reasonable by using probable losses from molecular ion, and well established rearrangements of ions with corresponding neutral losses from the structure of the presumed starting compound. The evaluation shall require the ability to assess the possibility of contamination either by air, water, isomers, or other species which may coelute in gas-chromatography columns. In addition, the evaluation shall require the ability to evaluate the probability of thermal decomposition of the molecule in the ion-source of the mass spectrometer and an understanding of the ions resulting from species that have no stable ions. NIST will provide to the Contractor copies of the spectra to be evaluated along with the names and chemical structures of the presumed starting compounds. These will be provided either in the form of paper copies of the spectra or electronic files. In order to read the electronic files a copy of the NIST/EPA/NIH Mass Spectrometry Database will be made available to the Contractor. The Contractor shall be responsible for providing the proper computer equipment for the programs supplied by NIST (Windows operating system on a PC computer with minimum of 120 Mbytes of free hard disk space). The Contractor shall provide to NIST evaluation of the spectra in electronic or hard copy depending upon the original format of the data. In addition to the simple spectral analysis, NIST will also provide the Contractor with sets of spectra for certain important compounds. For these compounds each spectrum shall have been individually examined previously. The Contractor shall provide a detailed analysis of all of the data and an attempt to find the best spectrum of the set and to justify this choice. The correlation of mass spectra to initial chemical structure cannot be done using computer tools today. It requires a good deal of experience in examining good and bad spectra. The Government requires a Key Personnel be assigned to this contract. The minimum requirements for the Key Personnel include, but are not limited to: a degree in chemistry; at least two years of experience analyzing mass spectra data; and, published papers showing research in correlating spectra to structure or documented prior experience with such correlations. Experience with routine mass spectra analysis is not sufficient for this purpose. It is anticipated that direct contact with personnel at NIST shall be necessary on a regular basis to discuss errortrends discovered in the data. This contract requirements will be deemed to be satisfied by direct meetings of 8 hours weekly with NIST personnel. The Government does not require that the Contractor provide these services on-site, however, the Government will make the following Government Furnished Property available if the Contractor requests it in their proposal: a work area (space); a desk; a chair; a telephone; a computer; a printer; access to a copier; and, access to a fax machine. The Contractor shall deliver the analysis in the form described above no later than 45 calendar days following the receipt of the spectra and structures from NIST. This contract shall be for mass spectral evaluation services during a base period of twelve months after contract award and include two option periods of an additional twelve months for each period. During the base and the option period of this contract the total spectra shall not exceed 30,000. NIST will deliver approximately 800 mass spectra per month with the associated structures which should be analyzed. The Government anticipates the total labor for this contract to be the equivalent of one man year for the base period and one man year for the option period. FOB Destination. NIST will issue an Request for Proposal (RFP) for which all responsible sources may submit a proposal which will be considered by the agency. The RFP will be available approximately fifteen days after publication of this announcement and the solicitation response time will be thirty days after issuance. All requests for the RFP must be in writing to the above mentioned address or may be sent through the email link below. Copies of the RFP will be available at http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract. The anticipated award date is September 5, 1997. Numbered Note 1 and 26 apply. (0182)

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