A04_Specification.Elementar Vario Max Cube Procurement.docx

US Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Specifications

Project Title Elementar Vario Max Cube Procurement General Information

1.0 Background and Purpose

The primary mission of the USDA-ARS Conservation & Production Research Laboratory (CPRL), Livestock Nutrient Management Unit (LNMRU) is to research environmental impacts of livestock production and to develop ways of improving animal health and maximizing production while mitigating environmental impacts of the industry. A significant aspect to this research is the study of nutrient cycling, especially carbon and nitrogen, in soil, plant, feed, manure, urine and biochar samples. The Livestock Nutrient Management Research Unit has been using Elementar carbon and nitrogen analyzers for at least 20 years. The current Vario Max Cube has recently needed repairs, which prevents sample analysis from being completed. A significant increase in the carbon and nitrogen analyses is planned for the next 5-year research cycle (2026-2030), necessitating purchase to handle the workload. A second Elementar Vario Max cube is needed to allow samples to be analyzed in a timely manner without introducing variability for using a different brand of analyzer. The unit has established methodologies for each sample type typically analyzed and is familiar with troubleshooting and maintenance for the instrument. The unit also has thousands of dollars of supplies and consumables to run an Elementar Vario Max Cube.

Definitions

· USDA – United States Department of Agriculture

· ARS – Agricultural Research Service

· CPRL – Conservation and Production Research Laboratory

· LNMRU – Livestock Nutrient Management Research Unit Contractor Requirements

2.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

1) Combustion-type CN Analyzer:

a. Analyzer shall use a high temperature furnace combined with oxygen dosing to combust the sample for carbon and nitrogen analysis both separately and jointly. This method allows for a more complete combustion of the samples and also allows for either C or N to be analyzed individually to conserve consumables when desired.

b. Analyzer shall require minimal sample preparation and be fully automated.

c. Analyzer shall be capable of analyzing sample sizes up to 5g or 5mL and be able to analyze both solids and liquids.

d. Analyzer shall contain an autosampler capable of holding up to 90 samples. This allows for a large number of samples to be analyzed without user presence to increase productivity.

e. Analyzer shall be precise enough to measure C at a rate of 10ppm in soil samples with up to 500mg of total C detection capability.

f. Analyzer shall have the ability to use either helium or argon as the carrier gas to provide independence from rising prices or decreased supply.

g. Analyzer shall automatically remove residual ash to decrease employee time spent on instrument.

h. Analyzer shall be able to utilize consumables meant for the Elementar VarioMAX since the laboratory has a large stock of these supplies.

2) Analyzer shall fit on a laboratory bench 2m x 2m or less.

3) Analyzer shall be controlled via a Windows PC that contains the software necessary to both run the instrument and retrieve results.

4) Service support:

a. Vendor shall provide a warranty for 10 years on furnace and thermal conductivity detector cell.

3.0 Deliverable / Schedule

Delivery Address:

USDA-ARS Conservation & Production Research Laboratory 2300 Experiment Station RD.

Bushland, TX 79012. USA.

Key Deliverables

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

29 September 2026

3.0 Technical Requirements / Tasks

29 September 2026 image1.png