Salient_Characteristics_07302025.docx

Salient Characteristics for a Brand Name or Equal to Agilent Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer

The U.S. Geological Survey’s Columbia Environmental Research Center (USGS-CERC, Columbia, MO) requires a gas chromatography triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC/TQMS) system to support contaminants research with the USGS. The USGS-CERC routinely conducts measurements of low-level toxic concentrations of organic chemicals in a variety of environmental sample types. Our science supports a wide range of USGS and DOI initiatives, as well as the needs of our external Federal and State partners, including but not limited to identifying the occurrence, fate, and transport of organic contaminants in the environment that may pose a threat to the health of aquatic and terrestrial organisms.

Specifications required:

Gas Chromatograph:

· Inlets: both Cool-On-Column and Multi-Mode (or Split-Splitless)

· Both manual keypad operations and software operations

· Automatic liquid sampler (minimum 50 vial capacity, standard 2-mL vials)

· Automated self-diagnostic testing

· Retention Time Locking with Electronic Pressure Control capability

· MS interface

Mass Spectrometer:

· Electron Impact (EI) high efficiency ion source capable of achieving attogram-level detection limits

· At least 800 MRM transitions per second

· Mass range of 10-1050

· Scan speed of less than 20,000 Da/s

· Capable of quantitation of hundreds of analytes in a single run

· Data acquisition modes for simultaneous selected ion and scan modes

· Oil-Free roughing pump

· Self-cleaning ion source to reduce the need for manual ion source cleaning

Instrument Control and Data Analysis Software:

· Software for controlling instrument and for performing data analysis to be installed of a government-furnished computer

· Software has optimizer built-in to transfer existing GC/MSD method to GC/TQMS methods to minimize method development and optimization time

· Built-in technical and procedural controls to ensure data integrity

· Current version of the NIST MS Library

· Pesticide and Environmental Pollutant method database

Other:

· Installation and familiarization

· Capable of meeting EPA-approved methods utilizing GC/TQMS technologies

· 3-year extended service contract with yearly preventative maintenance visits

· Ten-year value guarantee, such that vendor shall have ten years’ guaranteed parts and comprehensive service available or give residual value credit for replacement.

The system shall include a minimum of one-year of warranties to include on-site software upgrades, hardware repair, and at a minimum, one optional, annual preventative maintenance service visit, which includes all parts (except for consumables), travel, and labor at no additional cost to the USGS. The warranty period shall begin at the time of final acceptance of the system, once it has been demonstrated to meet all the specifications provided herein and meets or exceeds manufacturer-specified performance standards. The quote shall also include costs for optional extended warranties and preventative maintenance/service contracts. However, this does not guarantee purchase of these additional/optional items. The purchase and use of compatible consumables from third party vendors, which fully meet OEM specifications, must not void the manufacturer’s warranty.

The quote must include all costs and options for installation and training as line items, with explanations of what is covered under each line item. The system shall be delivered within 182 days of awarding the contract, and installation and training shall be completed within 90 days after delivery to USGS-CERC. Upon installation, all non-conformances to the technical specifications must be addressed and corrected at no additional cost to the USGS. Within 21 days of award of the contract, the vendor shall provide the estimated shipping, delivery, and installation dates. The vendor must also provide an installation checklist describing the required environmental conditions, storage conditions, location, and space requirements (system dimensions and layout). As part of installation, the vendor, will provide onsite, hands-on, laboratory-based installation and training on all aspects of instrument operation and maintenance for up to five USGS personnel. Vendor training and installation personnel must be certified, and factory trained. Training topics must include system use/operation and maintenance.

The system must be supplied with all existing operating manuals, maintenance manuals and schedules, hardware and software manuals, method development guides, methods transfer, product literature, technical data, test data, application data, training guides, video-assisted maintenance procedure guides, troubleshooting and diagnostics guides, suggested maintenance schedules, and/or other documents required for daily operation, maintenance, and performance evaluation. Soft copies (i.e., USB memory stick) of any operating software, maintenance videos, and other user utilities will be supplied.