Attachment 1 - Specifications.pdf

USDA-ARS SOLICITATION

NITROGEN/PROTEIN ANALYZER (BRAND NAME OR EQUAL)

REQUISITION INFORMATION

Issuing Agency: U.S. Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Research Service (USDA-

ARS)

Installation: Eastern Regional Research Center Delivery Address: 600 E Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038 Requisition Number: [Insert Requisition Number] Response Due Date: [Insert Due Date] Maximum Budget: $90,000.00 Required Delivery Date: No later than September 30, 2025

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Vendor must have a current NDAA Section 889 attestation on file.

2. Equipment must be new, unused, and the manufacturer's current production model.

3. Installation, initial operator training, and instrument startup must be included.

4. Equipment must meet all specified salient characteristics listed below.

ITEM DESCRIPTION

The USDA-ARS Eastern Regional Research Center requires one (1) Nitrogen/Protein Analyzer for food and agricultural research applications. Brand name or equal: Elementar rapid MAX N exceed.

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The following salient characteristics must be met by any oƯered equipment:

1. Operational Principle and Design:

o Must utilize the Dumas combustion method for nitrogen/protein analysis o Must operate by high temperature combustion inside a vertical steel tube o Must include a thermal conductivity detector (TCD) for nitrogen measurement o Must measure 100% of combusted nitrogen without gas splitting or chromatographic separation

2. Sample Handling Capability:

o Must process both solid and liquid samples without additional equipment or sample preparation o Must accommodate sample weights up to 1.0 g for organic materials o Must accommodate liquid sample volumes up to 4.0 mL o Must use reusable stainless steel crucibles (minimum 5 mL capacity) o Must include an automated sample introduction system with minimum 90-position capacity

3. Performance Specifications:

o Must achieve nitrogen detection as low as 0.003% in samples o Must achieve relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 0.5% for standard samples o Must provide reproducibility conforming to ISO 16634 standards o Must achieve a complete analysis cycle time of 5 minutes or less o Must be capable of analyzing 300+ samples in 24 hours of continuous operation

4. Combustion System:

o Must include a primary combustion furnace capable of reaching at least 1100°C o Must include a catalytic post-combustion furnace to ensure complete conversion of carbon compounds o Must include an electronically controlled oxygen dosing system o Must limit oxygen consumption to less than 0.5 L per analysis o Must be capable of using either helium or argon as carrier gas without hardware modifications

5. Gas Management and E iciency:

o Must include electronic mass flow controllers for precise gas management o Must include a patented or proprietary reduction system capable of handling 1000+ samples before replacement o Must include an eƯective three-stage water removal system o Must include automated leak detection capability

6. Control System and Software:

o Must include PC-based control software compatible with Windows operating systems o Must include automatic calculation of protein content from nitrogen measurements o Must include statistical analysis capabilities for multiple samples o Must oƯer data export compatibility with LIMS systems and Microsoft Excel o Must include automated diagnostic and maintenance support functions o Must include capability for remote diagnostics via internet connection

7. Physical Specifications:

o Maximum bench space width requirement: 24 inches (61 cm) o Must operate on standard 110-120V/60Hz electrical supply o Must include uninterruptible power supply (UPS)

8. Reagents and Consumables:

o Must include all necessary reagents and consumables for installation and initial 1000+ sample analyses o Must include all necessary gas regulators for helium/argon and oxygen o Must operate without requiring hazardous chemicals or waste disposal

9. Regulatory and Compliance:

o Must conform to applicable AOAC, AACC, AOCS, ASBC, ISO, IDF, or equivalent standards for protein analysis o Must include manufacturer warranty of at least 10 years for the combustion furnace and TCD cell

DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS

The following documentation must be provided at the time of delivery:

1. Operation and maintenance manuals

2. Installation and setup instructions

3. Troubleshooting guide

4. List of recommended spare parts

5. Certificate of calibration

6. Warranty information

EVALUATION CRITERIA

OƯers will be evaluated based on:

1. Technical compliance with all salient characteristics

2. Total cost of ownership including purchase price, consumables, and operational costs

3. Delivery timeline

4. Warranty and service support

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Vendors must submit the following:

1. Detailed equipment specifications demonstrating compliance with all salient characteristics

2. Itemized quotation including all components, installation, and training

3. Delivery timeline

4. Warranty and service information

5. NDAA Section 889 attestation

6. References from similar installations

For questions regarding this solicitation, please contact: [Insert Contracting OƯicer Name] [Insert Contact Information]