ESBD_480982_1767889747614_02. Specification No TxDOT 490-92-51659.pdf

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

SPECIFICATION NO.

TxDOT 490-92-51659

REVISED: DECEMBER 2025

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DUAL FURNANCE THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYZER SYSTEM

PUBLICATION

This specification is a product of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). This specification may not be sold for profit or monetary gain. If this document is altered in any way, the header and any and all references to TxDOT must be removed. TxDOT does not assume nor accept any liability when this specification is used in the procurement process by any other entity.

1. SCOPE: This Specification is for the purchase of a Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA).

2. DELIVERY LOCATION: The unit must be delivered to the Texas Department of Transportation, Materials and Tests Division 6230 E. Stassney Lane Austin, TX 78744.

3. DEFINITIONS OF TERMS AND ACRONYMS

3.1. TGA - Thermogravimetric Analyzer

3.2. CSV - Comma Separated Values.

4. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:

4.1. Equipment furnished must be the latest model in current production, as offered to commercial trade, and of quality workmanship and material. All equipment must be new. Used, shopworn, demonstrator, prototype, re-manufactured, or discontinued models are not acceptable.

4.2. Vendor must provide Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Title, and any other documents required for this equipment.

4.3. All parts, components, accessories, and assemblies not specifically mentioned but required for the system to be complete, fully assembled, and ready for operation must be furnished by the vendor. All parts must conform to accepted industry standards for strength, quality, and workmanship.

4.4. The unit provided must meet or exceed all federal and state of Texas safety, health, lighting, and noise regulations and standards in effect and applicable to equipment furnished at the time of manufacture.

5. DUAL FURNACE THERMOGRAVIMETRIC ANALYZER (TGA) SYSTEM:

5.1. . The system must be a dual furnace thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) capable of analyzing a minimum of thirty-eight (38) samples per run and must include lids for all crucibles supplied with the instrument.

5.2. The furnace must provide a heating range from ambient temperature to at least 1000 °C with a temperature accuracy and set point of ±2%, support heating ramp rates from a minimum of 1 °C per minute to a maximum of at least 50 °C per minute and be capable of cooling from 750 °C to 50 °C within 75 minutes or less.

5.3. The system must include a balance with a precision of ±0.0002 g or better and be capable of analyzing samples with a precision of ≤ 0.02% standard deviation.

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5.4. The system must accommodate sample weights between 1 and 5 grams with a sample specific gravity range of 2.5 to 3.0 g/cm³, allow users to define acceptable sample weight ranges within the software, and support unattended automatic taring of crucibles.

5.5. The system must operate on 220 or 230 V, 50/60 Hz, single-phase power and include certified calibration weights for balance calibration.

5.6. The system must support the use of Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, and air as purge gases and include a minimum of three (3) independently controlled valves capable of regulating these gases.

5.7. The system must include integrated airflow sensors that allow automated gas switching during experiments and enable software control of gas flow and flow rate, without requiring manual gas operation when gases are not needed.

5.8. The system must be capable of conserving purge gas when gas flow is not required.

5.9. The system must include dual thermocouples to allow user-performed temperature calibration and be user-calibratable for overall analytical performance and balance stability using inert reference samples.

5.10. The system must include all necessary hardware and connections to operate with an FTIR spectrometer, such as the Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50, or equivalent.

5.11. The system must be furnished with a dedicated computer and a separate monitor for instrument operation and data analysis.

6. SOFTWARE:

6.1. The software must control all instrument functions, track sample identification and test conditions, and include a user-programmable weight-range indicator.

6.2. The software must calculate, display, and plot furnace temperature, sample mass, and first and second derivatives, including real-time graphs of weight loss versus temperature, and statistical results for sample replicates.

6.3. The software must export data to Microsoft Excel in CSV format and provide full software-based control of all purge gases.

6.4. The software must include diagnostic and real-time service tools for monitoring instrument parameters, manual control of solenoids and switches, and support remote service diagnostics through a separate service package.

6.5. The software must be Windows-based and compatible with Windows 10 or newer.

7. INSTALLATION:

Vendor must install unit at the TxDOT designated site and ensure complete installation of the equipment, including providing all cables, hoses, brackets, and accessories, necessary for complete and safe installation, connection to power and telecommunications sources, and diagnostic testing. Unit shall be fully operational. TxDOT will execute all physical modifications to the installation site unless otherwise specified.

Vendor must notify TxDOT point of contact via telephone or email a minimum of 10 working days prior to proposed installation date.

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NOTE: Please include installation, calibration, and freight charges in the unit price of the bid tab.

8. FACTORY-TRAINED TECHNICIAN:

The vendor must provide the services of a competent factory-trained technician thoroughly trained in the use and operation of the unit to TxDOT for a minimum of 4-hour(s) instruction on safety, operation, and preventive maintenance of the unit. Services must be provided after the unit has been delivered and is ready for operation but prior to payment.

The training must take place on TxDOT's premises at a time and date mutually agreed upon by the vendor and TxDOT.

9. EXAMPLE MAKE/MODLES:

Models are listed for reference only to show the expected type and quality. Equivalent equipment meeting or exceeding this specification will be considered in accordance with paragraph 2.01 of the TxDOT Terms and Conditions.

9.1. LECO Corporation – Model TGA801-DCM

9.2. TA Instruments-Model Discovery TGA 5500

10. VENDOR DELIVERABLES:

10.1. One Dual FurnaceThermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) meeting all requirements of this specification.

10.2. Factory Trained Technician to perform installation and required training.

11. WARRANTY REQUIREMENTS:

MATERIAL WARRANTY: Materials provided under the contract must be in current production, as offered to commercial trade, and be of quality material. Used, shopworn, demonstrator, prototype, reconditioned, or discontinued materials are not acceptable.

Materials must be warranted against material defects and defects in workmanship for a period of not less than 12 months and cover 100% parts and labor. The warranty period must commence upon date of acceptance by TxDOT. If the manufacturer’s standard warranty period exceeds 12 months, then the standard warranty period must be in effect.

The vendor must be responsible for the warranty. The vendor must provide the designated TxDOT representative with all manufacturers’ warranty documents upon completion of service prior to leaving the job site.

12. VENDOR PERFORMANCE: Vendor performance will be monitored on a regular basis by

12.1. TxDOT An unsatisfactory performance determination includes, but is not limited to:

12.1.1. Failure to deliver any portion of the equipment.

12.1.2. Any requirement not met as outlined in the equipment requirements determined by TxDOT.

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NOTE: Unsatisfactory performance may result in a negative vendor performance report, or cancellation of the contract or both, in addition to any other rights, liquidated damages and remedies provided by the contract or allowed by law.

12.2. An exceptional performance determination includes, but is not limited to:

12.2.1. Deliverables made early upon TxDOT personnel request.

12.2.2. Product upgrade substitution suggested and accepted at no additional cost to TxDOT.

12.2.3. Vendor commended for exceptional customer service; exceptional service provided.

12.2.4. Provided technical assistance when not required.