U.S. Geological Survey, Branch Of Acquisition and Federal Assistance, Box 25046, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0046

J -- REPLACEMENT AND UPGRADE OF ELECTRONICS FUNCTIONAL COMPONENTS IN EXISTING ARGON STATIC GAS MASS SPECTROMETER DUE 091098 POC Marilyn Hutchison, (303) 236-5900 x327, FAX (303) 236-2710 E-MAIL: USGS, Central Region, Office of Acquisition & Federal, mhutchi@usgs.gov. Concerns having the ability to furnish the supplies and services described herein are requested to give written notification (including the telephone number for a point of contact) to the procuring office above within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of this synopsis. The U.S. Geological Survey, Central Region, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Team, has a requirement in the Shared Facilities laboratories for replacement and upgrade of failing electronics functional components in an existing 20-year-old VG 1200 model argon static gas mass spectrometer routinely used in geochronologic studies. The components include: 1) magnet power supply; 2) magnet control; 3) set of interlinking cables for all items; 4) hall probe supply/control and sensor; 5) high voltage supply; 6) emission regulator; 7) channel select unit; and 8) interlock panel. Additional specifications are as follows: 1. Electronics are intended to serve as replacements to equivalent original units on a government owned VG 1200 argon isotope static gas mass spectrometer. 2. With all requested items listed, routine operation of this VG 1200 mass spectrometer must be possible, including complete control of electromagnet including operation of a Hall probe for magnetic field control and regulation, emission regulation and focus of source in forming an ion beam, and in detection and measurement of isotope intensities. Items not listed should be assumed to be functional and available on the VG 1200 and not needing replacement. 3. With replacement of electronics units, this mass spectrometer instrument must be fully functional, achieving performance specifications as originally published or better, and as achieved in recent routine operations of this instrument in government lab, but only in so far as such specifications are dependent upon the integration and suitability of the specified electronics (eg exclusive of proformance dependent upon the physical state of the mass spectrometer, quality of vacuum, alignment and focus, and other not electronics issues). 4. Vendor must be fully knowledgeable of VG 1200 instrument and so certify, in specifying exact functional electronics replacements. No vendor uncertainty or speculation about suitability of offered replacement is acceptable. 5. As the government owns and operates in this lab three other gas mass spectrometers for argon geochronology and noble gas isotope geochemistry built by Mass Analyser Products Limited of UK (eg. MAP 215, MAP 215-50, and MAP 216), all proposed new electronics for the VG 1200 must also serve as interchangeable units serviceable in these other instruments as needed during service and repairs. 6. With offered modern electronics, access to computer control of operational and data acquisition parameters comparable to the existing VG 1200 capabilities or better, must be certified, and in all cases where this is not the case, the vendor must so identify the problem or difficulty in achieving the same level of control, consulting with requesting government staff as to acceptability/suitability of lesser or more complicated digital control. 7. Though vendor will not be responsible for modifying existing government computer code for instrument control and data acquisition, adequate documentation must be provided to enable government staff to effect such changes. Based on information available at this time, and in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), implemented by FAR 6.302-1, the Government considers the item specified as a sole source from Mass Analyser Products Limited, Cheshire, United Kingdom, and proposes to negotiate a contract with that firm on that basis. However, should additional sources be identified, they will be considered. Firms who feel that they can furnish the required item or its functional equivalent (based upon the criteria specified herein) are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement. An affirmative response would include literature, brochures and such other materials which correspond to the required items stated herein. This information will be evaluated and used to determine if competitive opportunities exist. Since no solicitation document exists, requests for such documents without accompanying information will be considered non-responsive to this request without further consideration. This notice may represent the Government's only official notice of this procurement. See Note 22. Posted 07/24/98 (W-SN228070). (0205)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0077 19980728\J-0008.SOL)