Mercury_Analyzer_Notice_of_Intent_FAR_05_Synopsis.docx

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The Department of Energy, Idaho site office (DOE-ID) Acquisition Management Division, on behalf of Radiological and Environmental Sciences Laboratory (RESL) intends to negotiate with Teledyne Leeman Labs of Hudson, NH on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1). I hereby determine that a Hydra IIC Mercury Analyzer is available from only one source, and competition is precluded for the reasons indicated below.

1. RESL currently uses an antiquated cold vapor mercury analyzer for the analysis and verification of mercury in the Department of Energy Mixed Analyte Performance Evaluation Program (MAPEP). The current instrumentation is over 10 years old and support of that instrumentation is being discontinued. RESL desires to minimize the programmic risk of losing its mercury measurement capabilities and jeopardizing the credibility of RESL’s MAPEP program by transitioning to a state of the art measurement system for mercury.

2. The following specifications and characteristics of the Hydra IIC Mercury Analyzer that limit the availability to a sole source are as follows:

· Combustion analyzer for mercury analysis without sample pretreatment or digestion utilizing cold vapor atomic absorbance gold amalgamation pre-concentrator technique.

· Dual cell mercury analyzer capable of automated or manual operation for mercury analysis in range of 0.5 ng to 1500 ng.

· Analysis at detection limit levels or low to moderate ng levels require detection through 1 inch analytical cell.

· System must be integrated with multi-tasking software for manual operation or autosampler configurations for unattended operation.

· System should consist of spectrophotometer, furnace and autosampler modules. Must be capable of manual operation and compatible with an autosampler.

· Minimum 1 year warranty on parts, workmanship, labor and all materials shall conform to the relevant technical specification and be free of defects.

· Preferred powder-coated metal and/or acid resistant parts wherever possible, system chassis shall be powder coated so the potential for rust is eliminated.

· The system shall be configured with an internal auto-switching power supply that AC input from 100-240 VAC (+/-) 10%, 50/60Hz.

· System shall be configured to provide an option to analyze samples using reduction instead of thermal decomposition. Where instrument detection limit of reduction configuration is ≤ 5 ng/L and thermal decomposition configuration at ≤ 0.001 ng.

· The system must be configured to allow quick exchange of the sample processing components that contact the sample gas stream.

· Cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy with technology for combustion (thermal decomposition) of solid or semi-solid samples.

· Mass-based for calibration concentrations - the mass of mercury in the injected standards/samples must be quantitatively transferred to the gold trap prior to analysis.

· A minimum of 25 cm long optical cell for high sensitivity and exceptional detection limits at various combustion gas rates.

· A minimum 2.5 cm long optical cell for low sensitivity and acceptable detection limits at various combustion gas rates in the high-mass modes, <1500ng.

· Must employ a ballast to separate the high and low sensitivity signals, in time, by a delay loop where both signals must appear for every sample measurement and should be discernibly separated. The software must determine which sensitivity range would be appropriate for each sample.

· Instrument detection limit in the most sensitive mode should be of less than or equal to 0.001 ng at a sample rate of less than 5 minutes (about 12 samples/hr).

· Furnace module must have decomposition furnace with programmable temperatures for sample drying and decomposition.

· Furnace module must be equipped with a catalyst furnace to ensure free mercury is produced and that the interferences are eliminated.

· Employ Nafion drying cartridge to remove excess water vapor from the sample gas stream prior to sample pre-concentration on the gold trap. Must be capable of using an in-line chemical dryer for enhanced moisture removal.

· Furnace module must provide a gold trap with computer control of collection and release temperature. Release time should be programmable.

· Furnace module must be equipped with pressure sensors to ensure a reproducible seal is made at the injector.

· Software should enable end of run sample standby features where the excitation lamp, gas regulator and catalyst oven are shut off.

· Excitation mercury emission lamp equipped with feedback monitoring device.

· Gas flow device should be capable of delivering gas flow rates from 150 mL/min to 500 mL/min.

· Mercury lamp and optical cells should be easily and readily replaceable without the use of tools.

· System must be capable of volatile hydrocarbon analysis at sample weight of up to 0.08g.

· The autosampler shall have a minimum of 70 positions in a single analytical run. Also software support to allow for unlimited virtual sample sequences where new racks can be added to the end of a running sequence, as space becomes available.

· The auto sampler boat should have 1400 uL capacity.

· Sample movement should be actuated by precision stepper-motors and not by pneumatic pistons.

· The supplied computer shall be provided with easy to install software necessary for mercury analysis.

· Hardware and operating software shall enable the interfacing of the system controller to a Windows NT network.

· The minimum computer to date shall be: OptiPlex Mini Tower with Microsoft Windows, integrated HD graphics, expansion Slots, i/o ports, Dell USB keyboard, mouse and flat panel monitor and a no hassle Dell instrument warranty.

· Microsoft Windows 10 (64-Bit)

· Software shall fully control the autosampler, furnace, injector and all other components interfaced with system for automatic operation to include lamp on/off features.

· Software data files shall be efficiently exported to third party programs such as Microsoft excel or LIMS and be CSV and TXT formal supported.

· Software shall employ a real-time analysis run log which can be easily exported to third party programs.

· Software shall have real-time detector peaks and analytical results.

· Software shall provide the ability to overlay multiple sample peak/scans of the analytical result.

· Software shall employ an online Operator’s Manual.

· Software shall support post-run reprocessing.

· Software shall employ real-time, updated calibration curves for calibration fit types that must include linear, weighted linear and quadratic algorithms, whilst the residuals are calculated upon the final calibration fit.

· Provide a control charge whereby quality control checks, samples or standards may be graphed over time automatically.

· Should provide a map of the sample racks linked with curser position to display contents as tool tip.

· Shall display calibration curves for review from previous samples analyzed.

· Must provide multiple sample injections for a single measurement to determine lower mercury concentrations.

· Software must provide for electronic transfer of sample weights from balance to computer.

· Delivery and Installation costs are included with bid.

· Installation representative shall perform a minimum of seven hours of on-site training after successful system installation.

· For full 12 month warranty period, on-site service and support is provided with one week of request.

· Software revisions/updates will be supplied at no additional charge.

· Technical support available in less than 4 hours of phone request during business hours.

· Option of extended warranty.

The Hydra IIC Mercury Analyzer is the only option for several reasons: (1) Sensitivity and accuracy of mercury measurements are better than the current system used at RESL (2). The instrument is capable of automated or manual analysis (3) the system allows various modes of operation and include standard fluorescence and single or dual gold amalgamation fluorescence which improve the sensitivity of the mercury measurements over older technology and is critical to RESL as blank materials must be analyzed to ensure mercury is not present in the material that will be spiked with mercury and sent out to over 80 laboratories for performance testing, and (4) meets RESL’s technical requirements. RESL has determined that the Hydra IIC Mercury Analyzer is the only analyzer that will satisfy the agency requirements. Teledyne Leeman Labs is the manufacturer of the Hydra IIC Mercury Analyzer, and as such, is the only supplier.

Department of Energy anticipates issuing a purchase order to Teledyne Leeman Labs in the amount of $60,040.00 for purchase of the Hydra IIC Mercury Analyzer.

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for DOE may identify their capabilities in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted as a response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for the acquisition. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to, Kendra Leatherwood at, leatheka@id.doe.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted by April 9, 2019 no later than 1600 (4:00 PM) MST.