Amended - Statement of Work.docx

STATEMENT OF WORK

Gas Chromatograph/ Single-Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer System with Robotic Autosampler Platform

I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), Biomolecular Measurement Division (BMD) is responsible for the development of chemical databases to accomplish NIST’s mission to carry out collection, compilation, critical evaluation, publication, and sale of standard reference data in accordance with Public Law 90-396. 90th Congress, H.R. 6279, July 11, 1968.

The chemical databases provide standard reference data for laboratories, both within NIST and to the worldwide scientific community. The Mass Spectrometry Data Center (MSDC), a component of BMD, is responsible for the development of the NIST/NIH/EPA Mass Spectral Library and special Mass Spectral Libraries (hereinafter, the Libraries) (http://www.nist.gov/srd/nist1a.cfm, http://chemdata.nist.gov/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=peptidew:start). This development includes generating and analyzing data obtained by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

II. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the project is to facilitate the enhancement of the NIST/NIH/EPA Mass Spectral Library by enabling the facile measurement by MSDC of highly volatile compounds to this library. This will increase the coverage of various compounds of concern in foods and several industrial processes, compounds that would be impossible to analyze with the current instruments.

III. SCOPE

The Contractor shall provide a GC-MS instrument meeting the specifications below. The components for all measurements must be provided in an integrated package by a single vendor. All system components (autosampler, GC, headspace/volatiles inlet, and mass spectrometer) must be controlled through integrated software to enable use of one sample list and one method on one PC and be compatible with current instrumentation and software in use in MSDC.

IV. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall provide one GC-MS instrument equipped with conventional and volatiles inlets, computer software compatible with existing NIST laboratory equipment, and software currently in use in MSDC laboratories. Current systems are Agilent GC-MS instruments liquid inlet, autosampler based devices that run on the Windows 10 operating system.

The required GC-MS with Robotic Autosampler for sample preparation and introduction is described below and shall include the following minimum specifications to meet the needs of MSDC laboratories.

Autosampler sample handling and injection features:

· The system must be an XYZ robotic sample handling design that serves as the GC autosampler, performing static headspace (HS), gas introduction from Tedlar bags, liquid injections, large-volume liquid injections (LVI), and Solid Phase Microextraction (SPME) in an automated fashion.

· The length of the autosampler shall be at least 120 cm long ( sufficient to contain all the tools described and to allow for future modifications).

· Sample introduction capacity must include the following:

· Gas injections from dozens 10-mL and/or 20-mL vials and 5 Tedlar bags.

· Liquid injections from dozens 2-mL vials.

· Must include a SPME fiber bake-out station.

· The Autosampler must include a heated agitator with stirring capability for HS and SPME analyses.

· The Autosampler/Robot must allow the optional use of various syringe sizes from 1 µL to 1000 µL without the necessity of having specific, designated syringe holders.

· The Autosampler must automatically change syringes and other autosampler tools for automated sequences.

Gas Chromatograph (GC) features and capabilities:

· It must be fully compatible with the Autosampler and analytical techniques described above.

· It must include one split/splitless injector capable of achieving a rate of up to 1034 kpa/min or 150 psig/min.

· It must include one septumless programmable temperature vaporizing (PTV) GC inlet that can be used for cooled oncolumn injection.

· Temperature capabilities for this injection port/inlet must range from -150°C to 650°C.

· This injection system must not require sorbent material to be used effectively in the cryofocusing trap.

· It must be designed for use with hydrogen or helium carrier gas.

· It must be designed such that, if there is an explosion in the oven for any reason, the GC oven door will buckle under the explosive pressure and the other GC components should be designed to remain on the instrument.

· It must have a published specification for retention time repeatability of <0.01 % or <0.001 minutes and a specification published for area repeatability of <0.5% RSD, at 2 ng Tetradecane.

· It must have ambient temperature and pressure compensation for all pneumatics for all inlets, detectors, and auxiliary pneumatics.

· Pressure setpoint precision and control must be of ±0.001 psi over the range of 0 to 150 psi.

· Inlet Module Pressure Sensor Accuracy must be: <±2 % full scale, Repeatability: <±0.05 psi, Temperature coefficient must be: <±0.01 psi/°C, Drift: <±0.1 psi/6 months.

Mass Spectrometer (MS) features and capabilities:

· The MS must be a nominal mass, quadrupole design with electron impact (EI) ionization (70eV).

· The MS must be fully compatible with the Autosampler described above.

· The system must have dual filaments for the EI source.

· A Chemical Ionization (CI) source must be an available option.

· Scan rate of 20,000 u/sec.

· Scan mass range of 1.6 to 1050 u.

· Helium EI Sensitivity SCAN mode signal-to-noise is specified as 1 pg OFN giving > 1500:1 S/N scanning from 50-300 u at nominal m/z 272 ion.

· The quadrupole must be independently heated, and its temperature should be user-selectable from 100 – 200˚C.

· It must have an electronic dynamic range of 10^6.

· It must have an ion source where the metallic parts are constructed from inert material. Ion Source temperature controllable from 100 – 350 °C.

· The Source (including filaments, lenses), mass filter, and detector must be on a removable plate for easy access.

· The MS must use an oil-free turbo-molecular vacuum pump.

Computer and Software control features:

· The system must include a computer and software package that controls the instrument, data acquisition and includes data mining and processing tools.

· Two monitors and one (1) printer must be included.

· All components of the system (autosampler, GC and MS) must be controlled through integrated software, enabling use of one sequence table (sample list) and one method on one PC for automation from sample handling to GC-MS analysis on the system.

· The autosampler software must be capable of multiple sample preparation ahead and multiple sample overlap functionality for all applications.

· The autosampler control software must be easily programmable and customizable by the user with the standard software package and must not require fixed scripts for customization.

· The software must allow rinsing of the HS syringe with a solvent and an extensive flush to dry the syringe.

· Data collected must be compatible for viewing and comparison with data from existing Agilent GC-MS systems in the laboratory.

· The autosampler parameters for automation and all analytical techniques described here shall be stored with the GCMS method.

· The autosampler software must be capable of multiple sample preparation ahead of the run and multiple sample overlap functionality for all applications.

· An unlimited number of samples can be added to an actively running sequence at any point.

· The software controlling the autosampler must provide for automated e-mail notifications in the event the sequence stops prematurely.

Additional requirements:

· Unlimited telephone/email service and applications support by highly experienced (5 year or more) analyst(s) must be available for the Autosampler for its supported lifetime with or without a service contract.

A. Safety Features

· The mass spectrometer shall have an automatic interrupt system. In addition, analyzer temperature zone and operating voltages shall be interlocked with vacuum pump speed to prevent instrument damage due to operation at excess pressure.

· The Gas Chromatograph must have:

(a) a hydrogen safety shutdown system that monitors the hydrogen flow and shuts down the gas flows and heaters if a leak is detected, and

(b) an oven explosion protection built into the oven door. The Mass Spectrometer analyzer shall not fragmentize in the event of a hydrogen deflagration.

· The Gas Chromatograph and Mass Spectrometer must have a United States safety certification by an accredited agency. This certification must be available upon request of the Government.

V. DELIVERY

The instrument shall be delivered within 90 days from the date of the award. However, due to current access restrictions, delivery shall not take place until the Contractor coordinates with the designated Contracting Officers Representative (COR) and Contracting Officer (CO). Prior to shipment, the Contractor must ensure NISTs campus is open and accepting deliveries. If the restrictions of access to the campus impacts delivery schedules, a modification may be executed by the CO to establish an extended delivery timeframe.

DELAYED MANUFACTURING/DELAYED DELIVERY

NIST will be responsible for renovating the laboratory space. NIST is working with its internal colleagues to schedule the laboratory renovations, however, knows that renovations will not be completed until at least after award of this requirement.

Furthermore, due to COVID-19, the National Institute of Standards and Technology is currently at limited staff capacity. The capacity and access to campus is subject to change. This limited site access may delay the required laboratory renovations. The laboratory renovations must be completed prior to equipment being delivered. The Government reserves the right to request the Contractor delay manufacturing and/or store the equipment depending on the status of the NIST campus at the time of award. The Contractor may be required to delay manufacturing/shipping for a period of time up to six months from the date of award. Upon award, the TPOC will communicate with the Contractor regarding the status of NIST operations and provide written notification to the Contractor when manufacturing can commence and/or the timeline when delivery can be completed.

If the Contractor chooses to manufacture the equipment upon award, the Contractor shall be responsible for storing the equipment, at their sole expense, until such time that NIST can accept delivery of the equipment.

VI. INSTALLATION

The Contractor shall install the instrument in Building 221 at NIST Gaithersburg, MD. Installation shall include, at a minimum, uncrating/unpacking of all equipment, set-up and hook-up of the instrument, start-up, demonstration of specifications, and removal of all trash. The Contractor shall demonstrate that the instrument is running in accordance with the System Requirements above. The contractor shall provide samples for on-site demonstration of the performance of the GC-MS instrument for the specifications listed above.

Installation shall take place between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays (hereinafter “normal duty hours”) and shall be coordinated with the NIST Technical Point of Contact (TPOC). Installation shall be completed no later than one month from the date of delivery.

VII. TRAINING

The contractor shall conduct familiarization training at NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, for up to ten (10) NIST personnel within 30 days of installation, covering use of all components and total system operation to include: normal operation, system/solution functions, data administration, troubleshooting, and routine maintenance. Training shall be provided during normal duty hours and shall be coordinated with the NIST TPOC to ensure maximum availability of NIST personnel.

VIII. WARRANTY

The Contractor shall provide, at minimum, a one-year (1) warranty to include all major system components, labor, travel, per diem, and associated software systems, and software updates to include one (1) preventative maintenance, to keep the instrument operating to manufacturers specifications. Warranty shall commence upon the NISTs acceptance of the spectrometer.

IX. OPTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE SERVICES

The contractor shall provide four one-year options, to be exercised at the discretion of NIST to commence upon expiration of the factory warranty. Services shall include:

· The contractor shall respond to an unlimited number of requests for service calls in the event of instrument failure during normal duty hours.

· The contractor shall cover all expenses for the maintenance and repair of the instrument, including all parts, labor, travel, and per diem.

· The contractor shall provide all consumables and supplies required for repair, including normal wear-and-tear items such as liners, seals, lamps, and tubing when needed.

· The contractor shall repair/replace all parts required for the operation of the instrument.

· All repairs must result in the instrument meeting manufacturer’s specifications and the system requirements stated above.

· The contractor shall provide maintenance and repair by factory-trained technicians using parts, supplies, and consumables authorized for use by the manufacturer.

· Scheduled preventative maintenance visits One (1) on-site scheduled preventative maintenance visit performed by a factory trained and certified service technical expert to ensure the instrument and software function within manufacturers specifications.

SERVICE REPORT

The Contractor shall submit a service ticket to the NIST TPOC prior to departure from NIST on any given service call for maintenance and repairs. The service ticket must include the following for all instrument maintenance:

a. Model number.

b. Serial number.

c. Date and time of arrival to NIST.

d. Description of service performed.

e. Name and quantity of any parts that were repaired.

f. Name and quantity of any parts that were replaced.

g. Date and time of departure from NIST.

h. Diagnostic test results or narrative summary demonstrating that the instrument is meeting the performance standards.

i. Any additional comments or recommendations.

j. Printed name and signature of service technician. Signature block for NIST personnel accepting the services rendered.

k. Additionally, the contractor shall submit copies of the service ticket performed within a billing cycle with the accompanying invoice.

X. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

Installation, training, and warranty/maintenance services shall be performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD campus.

XI. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The period of performance for one base year and four one-year options shall be as follows:

XII. GENERAL INFORMATION

Security: NIST is a restricted campus. An identification badge is required for access for entry into buildings and also is shown to the armed Security Police when entering the campus. The Government will submit the name of a contractor employee to the NIST Office of Security in order for a contractor employee to enter the NIST campus to perform on-site preventive maintenance or repairs of the instrument.

Identification Badges: Contractor employees shall comply with NIST identification and access requirements. The Contractor employee is responsible for absences due to expired identification and access documents. Each Contractor employee shall wear a visible identification badge provided by the NIST Security Office. The badge must show the full name, title, and if required by NIST, the words “Contractor” in front. The Contractor employee shall turn in the NIST identification badge and vehicle pass to the COR or Contracting Officer (CO) upon termination of their services under this contract.

Vehicle Registration: All Contractor employees must register their vehicles with the NIST Security Office to gain access to the campus. A valid driver’s license, Government-furnished civilian ID, proof of insurance and current registration must be presented to the NIST Security Office, at which time a NIST vehicle pass will be issued. The pass shall be displayed on the vehicle’s rearview mirror in accordance with instructions. The Contractor employee shall follow NIST procedures for removal and turn-in of the vehicle pass upon termination of services under this contract.