ESBD_525941_1782247272971_HHS017497_ Exhibit E_ Questions & Answers.pdf
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- Attached to
- HHS0017497 Lab Equipment for Austin DSHS Lab
- Solicitation number
- HHS0017497
- Issued by
- Travis County, Austin City, Texas
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers exhibit from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Invitation for Bids (IFB) HHS0017497 for a Windowless Alpha/Beta Low Background Detector System. The procurement seeks to establish a contract for two units of the MPC-1000-GFL detector system, including equipment installation and a service visit with shipping and handling included. The response deadline is June 25, 2026, at 10:30 A.M. Central Time, with a questions-and-clarifications deadline of June 17, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. Central Time. The contract term begins on the date of award and expires on August 31, 2026, with an optional extension of up to one additional year at HHSC's sole discretion. The contract will be issued and dispatched prior to August 31, 2026, with the requirement that orders be placed before the end of the fiscal year.
The system specifications include a manual single sample changer, windowless hemispherical gas flow detector with a 2.25-inch diameter, cosmic guard detector, counting gas loss detection, touch screen interface, P-10 counting gas system with a 150 cc/min flow rate at 10 psi, and 4-inch thick lead shielding. The functional requirements encompass alpha only, beta only, and alpha/beta simultaneous counting modes with typical efficiency for Am-241 and Th-230 of approximately 45 percent. The "SYSTEM" portion includes the instrument, P-10 gas regulator, connection tubing, sample carriers, Free DUO software, and one-year standard warranty, but excludes laboratory supplies, consumables such as radioactive calibration sources, planchets, rolling carts, computer systems, additional software packages, training beyond basic familiarization, and spare parts. All items must be delivered well-secured, labeled, and preferably shrink-wrapped to prevent damage. Bidders must submit firm, fixed prices covering all labor, equipment, materials, supplies, and related expenses via email to pcsbids@hhs.texas.gov, through the HHS Online Bid Room, or by hand delivery or overnight mail to the HHSC PCS office at 1100 W. 49th Street, Austin, Texas.
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QuesƟons on InvitaƟon for Bids (IFB) Texas Health and Human Services
IFB Number and Title:
WINDOWLESS ALPHA/BETA LOW BACKGROUND DETECTOR SYSTEM
IFB No. HHS0017497 NIGP Class/Item No(s): 175-53
QuesƟon #1 HHS 0017497_PCS_137_Formal_ IFB
On page 16 of 30 11.2 IniƟal Contract Term it is stated:
“11.2 IniƟal Contract Term: Any contract resulƟng from this IFB will begin Date of Award and expire August 31, 2026.”
Given the lead Ɵme for systems like this is typically 60 to 90+ days aŌer receipt of order by the manufacturer, it is highly likely that the Ɵme for delivery and installaƟon of the product will be not be able to be completed within this period. A service visit is also part of this IFB, and depending upon the service needs and potenƟal parts needed, the contract expiraƟon date may need to be extended. Can the contract date be extended prior to the closing date of the IFB?
Answer #1: The Contract/PO will be issued and dispatched prior to August 31,2026. We just require the order be placed before end of fiscal year and the terms be upheld.
QuesƟon # 2 HHS 0017497_PCS_137_Formal_ IFB
On page 12 of 30 , SecƟon 7.2.1 line 3 it states the following: “e) At a minimum, pallets must be shrink wrapped and labeled.”
Does this apply to shipments of systems which are made in containers such as the following:
hƩps://www.uline.com/BL_8205/Collapsible-Bulk-Containers
Answer #2: We require items to be delivered well secured and labeled to prevent damage, preferably shrink wrapped and labelled.
QuesƟon # 3 HHS 0017497_PCS_137_Formal_ IFB
Page 4 of 30 IntroducƟon and Purpose of the IFB paragraph 2 states:
“HHSC PCS is seeking compeƟƟve bids to establish contract(s) for [WINDOWLESS ALPHA/BETA LOW
BACKGROUND DETECTOR SYSTEM]. “
And HHS0017497_Exhibit_C_Price_Sheet.xlsx In Line 1, line descripƟon, line details second tab of exhibit C, it states the following:
Line DescripƟon: LAB EQUIPMENT -WINDOWLESS ALPHA/BETA LOW BACKGROUND DETECTOR SYSTEM (MPC- 1000-GFL), INSTALLATION OF EQUIPMENT (INSTALL) AND SERVICE VISIT (SERVICE VISIT) SHIPPING/HANDLING
INCLUDED.
We are seeking clarificaƟon regarding what Texas DHHS considers to be included in the “SYSTEM” PorƟon of the line item. It is our understanding that this will be the instrument, associated P-10 gas regulator, connecƟon tubing, and the associated sample carriers to hold the planchets, Free DUO soŌware, One year standard warranty, all that is required for instrument operaƟon, with the EXCEPTION of the following: laboratory supplies, consumables such as radioacƟve calibraƟon sources, the planchets, a rolling cart, computer system, other soŌware such as Vista 2000, running and establishment of mass aƩenuaƟon curves, QA/QC control chart setup, Training (besides basic familiarizaƟon training), spare parts.
If you can confirm your understanding of the included equipment please. If there are addiƟonal items that you consider to be included. Please let us know and we will adjust accordingly.
Answer #3: The Statement of Work for the System porƟon of the Line is as follows.
Each alpha/beta counter shall meet the following functional and performance requirements:
Manual Single Sample Changer
2 in. (5.1 cm) Standard Planchet Diameter
Windowless Hemispherical Gas Flow Detector, 2.25in. (5.7 cm) diameter
Cosmic Guard Detector
Counting Gas Loss Detection
Low Background Counter
Touch Screen Interface
Gas Conservation
Guard detector
P-10 counting gas with a flow rate of 150 cc/min at 10 psi
Fail-safe P-10 monitoring system senses breach in gas flow
4 in. (10.2 cm) thick lead shielding
2 in (5.1 cm) diameter and up to 5/16 in (7.9 mm) deep sample planchet size
Alpha only, Beta only, Alpha/Beta simultaneous counting modes
Typical efficiency for Am-241 and Th-230 is about 45%
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .