DHHS, PHS, CDC, NIOSH, ALOSH, 1095 Willowdale Rd., Morgantown, WV 26505-2888

66 -- FIELD PORTABLE TECHNOLOGIES TO MEASURE MULTIPLE AIRBORNE METALS SOL RFI2000-023 DUE 062900 POC Brenda Goodwin, 304/285-5882; Contracting Officer, Rex S. Wolfe, Jr., 304/285-5883 SOURCES SOUGHT This CBD announcement is a request for information only. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is seeking to identify field portable technologies which are capable of measuring multiple airborne metals in the air directly (e.g., in real time) or on a filter medium. Technologies may include, but are not restricted to, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), light induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS), spark induced breakdown spectrometry (SIBS), and direct reading microwave induced plasma (MIP). Instruments excluded from consideration are the TN Spectrace model 9000 and NITON models XL-701 and XL-731S, since these are currently undergoing extensive evaluation for this purpose. All instruments which meet the above requirements will be evaluated. NIOSH is looking for instruments with the most acceptable limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantitation (LOQ) for the broadest range of elements for evaluation in the laboratory and field. Successful application ofthe instrument in the field could lead to the development of a NIOSH standard method. Specifications: (1) The instrument must be capable of measuring metal concentrations in the air either directly or from an air sample collected on a standard filter medium such as 37 mm diameter mixed cellulose ester (MCE) filters with a 0.8 micrometer pore size, although instruments which use other filter media with a similar pore sizes will be considered; (2) The instrument should be capable of measuring as many of the metals listed below as possible, which could be collected in the form of a direct air sample or an air sample deposited on a filter (see filter specifications above): The Required Limit of Detection* for the following Elements are listed as follows: (Filter in micrograms per square centimeter**; Air in micrograms per cubic meter) : IRON (Fe) Filter 45, Air 500; SILVER (Ag) Filter 0.1, Air 1.00; MANGANESE (Mn) Filter 8.9, Air 100; NICKEL (Ni) Filter 0.1, Air 1.5; CHROMIUM (Cr) Filter 4.5, Air 50; LEAD (Pb) Filter 0.5, Air 5.0; ZINC (Zn) Filter 45, Air 500; MERCURY (Hg) Filter ***, Air 1.0; COPPER (Cu) Filter 0.9, Air 10.0; CADMIUM (Cd) Filter 0.05, Air 0.5. * All values shown represent 0.1 times the occupational exposure limit (the lowest of the following three standards, ACGIH TLV, OSHA PEL, NIOSH REL) for the respective element in air. ** Based on an 8 hour collection time at 2.0 liters per minute on a 37 mm diameter filter. *** Hg can not be collected on MCE filters and therefore can not be analyzed by methods which use this medium. Therefore, only air concentrations are given in this table.; (3) The instrument can operate on analytical principles which may include, but are not restricted to, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), light induced breakdown spectrometry (LIBS), spark induced breakdown spectrometry (SIBS), or direct reading microwave induced plasma (MIP). The TN Spectrace model 9000 and NITON models XL-701 and XL-731S are excluded from consideration, since these instruments havealready been acquired; (4) Preference will be given to self-contained, lightweight instruments which are not bulky; (5) The instrument should be capable of successfully operating on a self-contained power source such as a battery; (6) The instrument must be sufficiently rugged to withstand transport and operate reliably in workplaces; (7) The instrument must have the ability to display data either on its own display or a notebook computer; (8) The instrument must either have a provision for data storage on a medium compatible with common personal computers, such as a 3.5" floppy disk, or it must be capable of sending this information to an external computer for storage and analysis. Any offeror/vendor who can provide an item which meets the specifications above should submit a packet with at least the following information: the principle of operation, method of sample analysis, LOD and LOQ data (defined as three (3) and ten (10) times standard deviation above the mean blank signal, as per SOP 18, section IIof the NIOSH/DPSE Quality Assurance Manual (December, 1991 edition)) for each element which can be analyzed; weight and dimensions of the instrument; vendor brochures or other appropriate information; and general pricing information. Interested parties should indicate whether they are small business, small disadvantaged, or 8(a). This is NOT a request for proposal (RFP), a promise to issue an RFP, nor will the Government pay for information received in response to this synopsis. NIOSH requests technical feedback from industry no later than 2:00 p.m. on June 29, 2000. The requested information should be mailed to the following address: DHHS/PHS/CDC/NIOSH/ALOSH, ATTN: Brenda Goodwin (MS-L1019), 1095 Willowdale Road, Morgantown, WV 26505. Please cite the following number on all submissions/correspondence: RFI2000-023. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the review. Any questions regarding this announcement should be made to the identified point of contact. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized in the CBD at a later date. All responsible sources may submit information, which shall be considered by the Agency. Posted 05/31/00 (W-SN459919). (0152)

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