RFI - ASHING CHAMBER UPGRADE.docx

Request for Information/Sources Sought

Agency/Office: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Senior Procurement Executive (OSPE), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Technical Support, Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center (PSHTC) Location: PSHTC (Pittsburgh, PA) PSC: K066 – Modification of equipment – Instruments and Laboratory NAICS: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing GSA Federal Supply Schedule Category: 334516 Analytical Instruments

1. GENERAL INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Labor, Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is responsible for enforcing health standards promulgated under the authority of Section 103 (a) of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. The Analytical and Laboratory Services Division’s FTIR Coal Quartz and MNM Silica XRD laboratories analyze respirable mine dust samples collected by MSHA inspectors at various mining sites and facilities across the country to monitor miners’ exposure to respirable quartz. Sample preparation for both analyses require an “ashing” process to burn off the collection media and organic content of the matrix. This is accomplished by exposing the samples to oxygen plasma at a temperature that is hot enough to burn off the organics in the sample, but not high enough to transform the structure of quartz. This process is referred to as “low temperature ashing” (LTA).

2. OBJECTIVE: This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Senior Procurement Executive (OSPE), Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) Technical Support, Pittsburgh Safety and Health Technology Center (PSHTC) to upgrade Low Temperature Ashing (LTA) system to a single metal box-style chamber to house testing samples and upgrade electronic system controller.

3. SCOPE: The scope for this effort is to upgrade one low temperature ashing system for the MSHA PSHTC ALSD.

The package shall include replacement of the old style pyrex four chambers with one single metal box-style, along with necessary upgrades to the system controller to replace discontinued and no longer serviced electronics.

4. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: The period of performance for this requirement shall be 120 days after award.

5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE: The work to be performed under this contract will be the Contractor’s facility.

Note that this is not a request for quotes. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. This Request for Information (RFI) seeks industry comments to assist the Government in locating potential sources with the ability to satisfy its requirement. Vendors that believe they can provide the needed services that fully meet the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation to determine capability.

6. RESPONSE:

Respondents should provide the following information:

A. A one-page cover letter that includes your company’s:

a. Company Name

b. Company Address

c. SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) Number

d. CAGE code

e. Business size and Socio-Economic Status information for the NAICS listed above

f. Contract Point of Contact

B. Firms will need to provide a response no longer than five (5) pages which addresses each of the task listed in the Draft Performance Work Statement provided with this announcement.

a. Provide an overview of company capabilities corresponding to the tasks in the Draft Statement of Work.

b. Provide an overview of the respondent’s ability to support the entire Performance Work Statement in any of the following scenarios:

a. As prime contractor, without subcontracting partners

b. As prime contractor, with subcontractor partners

c. As part of a team of contractors C. Firms shall also provide one page that outlines:

Past government experience (task order/contract) with tasks similar in scope of this draft requirement. Past example should include contract numbers, customer information, and identify point of contacts.

D. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining the availability and potential technical capability of all businesses in providing the requirement.

Submissions should be organized in accordance with the instructions in this document to permit a thorough and accurate review and evaluation. Responses to this RFI must be submitted to Delano Talley, Contract Specialist Agent via email no later than March 10, 2023, at 2:00PM, EDT to Talley.Delano.S@dol.gov.