B12_QUESTIONS_AND_ANSWERS_0001.pdf
PDF 197 KB Posted
- Attached to
- PURCHASE SHATTERBOXES AND MILLS
- Solicitation number
- 140G0226Q0175
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers (Q&A) document for federal solicitation 140G0226Q0175 issued by the U.S. Geological Survey's Sample Control laboratory located in Denver, Colorado. The document clarifies equipment specifications and requirements for grinding and sample preparation machinery.
The solicitation requires laboratory grinding equipment including shatterbox machines and ball mill grinders with specific accessories. Key clarifications include: (1) the ball mill model may be either single-clamp (BM-400) or dual-clamp (BM-450) configuration; (2) Shatterbox speed specifications are not strict requirements as grinding duration is more critical than maximum rpm; (3) additional accessories required are three ceramic grinding containers (EW-04576-77) for shatterboxes and 50 agate balls, 1/2 inch (EW-04578-23) for ball mills, though machines may include default accessories; (4) physical delivery is to U.S. Geological Survey, 1 Denver Federal Center, Building 810, Door E-11, MS 973, Denver, CO 80225-0046; (5) authorized reseller status may be satisfied with a manufacturer-issued authorization letter; (6) grinding vessels and accessories must be alumina oxide (also called Alumina Corundum or Alumina Ceramic) and tungsten carbide is not an acceptable substitute; and (7) a Vibratory Disk Mill with dimensions of 33" W x 49" H x 31" D is acceptable provided grinding container medium is alumina oxide or agate. The Q&A period has ended and no further questions will be answered.
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| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sol_140G0226Q0175_Amd_0001.pdf | ||
| Sol_140G0226Q0175.pdf |
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Text version
# Question Answer 1 Ball-mill model: CLIN 00020 names the 8000M mixer mill, while the Statement of Need on PDF page 6 requires two grinding stations and a dual clamp. Cole-Parmer identifies the 8000M/BM-400 as a single-clamp model and the 8000D/BM-450 as the dual-clamp model. Which model/configuration is intended, and will the CLIN or requirement be amended?
We were intending for the single-clamp models (BM-
400) but the dual ones also work for our purposes too.
2 Shatterbox speed: Page 6 specifies a maximum of 800 rpm, while the manufacturer's current SM-200 specification lists 825 rpm. Is the currently manufactured SM-200 acceptable, or is operation limited to 800 rpm a strict requirement? We will not treat a higher maximum as automatically compliant.
Shatterbox speed isn't an issue at all as the grinding process is more contingent on how long the sample is being ran for.
3 Grinding accessories: Please specify the number and working capacity of alumina ceramic containers required per shatterbox and per ball mill, and the quantity/size of alumina grinding balls. We understand that trace-metal and zirconia media are prohibited and need to identify the full accessory bill of materials.
The shatterbox machines may come with a set of containers, but we wanted 3 EA EW-04576-
77 CERAMIC GRINDING
CONTAINERS in addition to the machines themselves. For the ball mill grinding medium, we wanted, 50 EA EW-04578-23
AGATE BALL 1/2 IN FOR 8014
SET 1.000 LBS. Like the shatterboxes, the ball mill machines may come with containers and grinding accessories as a default but it's not a requirement.
4 Delivery: The SF18/schedule states October 9, 2026, the Statement of Need says 30 days ARO, and the schedule also lists a September 16-17 period of performance. Which delivery requirement controls? Please confirm physical freight delivery to Building 20, Room H1536A, Denver Federal Center, and any receiving/unloading instructions.
The technical-liaison clause on PDF page 23 instead references Madison, Wisconsin; please confirm that is not the destination.
Sample Control U.S Geological Survey 1 Denver Federal Center Building 810, Door E-11, MS Denver, CO 80225-0046
Q&A for Solicitation 140G0226Q0175
5 Reseller eligibility: Page 33 requires manufacturer/authorized-reseller status. May Northpoint satisfy this with a manufacturer-issued, bid-specific authorization letter naming Northpoint as authorized to supply these products, with full end-user warranty? Please identify any additional authorization documentation needed.
That should be all you will need is the authorization letter.
6 Your request specifies Alumina Oxide as the required material for the grinding vessels and accessories to prevent cross contamination. Tungsten Carbide has a similar hardness and from some of the documentation that I have looked at, it should not pose any issues regarding cross contamination for Zirconia. We do not currently have an option for Alumina Oxide, so I wanted to be sure that the substitution was allowed. Will this be an acceptable substitute?
The alumina oxide (sometimes called Alumina Corundum or Alumina Ceramic) shatterbox containers are generally readily available for purchase and are necessary for the wide range of chemical analysis we run for our samples.
Unfortunately Tungsten Carbide is not a suitable substitute for our purposes.
7 Vibratory Disk Mill that we provide has larger dimensions than the one on your bid request. (WxHxD when closed - 33” x 49” x 31”) Will this fit in your lab space?
Yes it will and should be fine as long as the grinding container medium is alumina oxide or agate.
NO MORE QUESTIONS WILL BE ANSWERED AFTER THIS AS THE DATE FOR THIS HAS
ENDED.
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .