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

66 -- ROBOTIC PIPETTING SYSTEM POC Diana Romero, (303) 236-5900 x344 E-MAIL: Click here to contract the contracting officer via, dlromero@usgs.gov. The U.S. Geological Survey, National Water Quality Laboratory, Bldg. 95, E-3, Denver Federal Center, Denver, Co., 80225 has a requirement to automate sample digest preparation for Kjeldahl nitrogen, Kjeldahl phosphorus, and low-level phosphorus determinations. Concerns having the ability to furnish the following Robotic System including installation and training 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 following Salient Characteristics are considered essential to this requirement. The Automatic preparation of digests requires a robotic system with an XYZ Cartesian arm able to access sample bottles, digestion tubs, reagents, and wash stations arranged on no less than a 39" X 18" (X and Y coordinate) rectangular deck; move the aspirate/dispense probe(s) up and down (Z coordinate) at least 10 inches to enable access to the bottom of 10" X 1: Kjeldahl digestion tubes; position the aspirate/dispense probe(s) to within 0.004" (0.1 mm) throughout the XYZ coordinate space above the deck; accommodate a minimum of 12, independently controlled aspirate/dispense syringe pumps that can be equipped with interchangeable, gas-tight syringes in the volume range of 25 microliters to 25 mililiters; aspirate and dispense liquids in 1/1000 increments of the total syringe volume; and, wash internal and external surfaces of the aspirate/dispense probe(s) and tubing assembiles with an auxiliary and independently controlled peristaltic pump module; the robotic sample preparation system must be able to exchange instructions and data with a pentium processor PC via USB, serial, RS232, and TTl ports or interfaces and create software traceable work lists needed to maintain sample integrity and traceability throughout digest preparation operations; these capabilities are realized using a bar code reader/keyboard interface ("wedge") and Microsoft EXCEL. The components and modules necessary to achieve this functionality using the Hamilton Company's MICROLAB 4200 MPH robotic pipetting system. Based on information available at this time, and in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253 (1), implemented by FAR 6.302-1, the Government considers the item specified as a sole source from The Hamilton Company, Reno, NV and proposes to negotiate a contract with that firm on 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 willbe considered non-responsive to this request without further consideration. This notice may represent the Government's only official notice of this procurement. See Notes 22. Posted 06/23/00 (W-SN468094). (0175)

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