Sources Sought.doc

SOURCES SOUGHT

(1) Action Code :

SOURCES SOUGHT

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Sources Sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, & EDWOSB businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

(2) Date : 23 February 2026

(3) Classification Code : 66

(4) NAICS Code: 334516

(5) NAICS Size Standard: 1,000 Employees

(6) Contracting Office Address: 2800 Powder Mill Road Bldg. 601 Adelphi, Maryland 20783

(7) Subject: Sources Sought for One (1) Desiccator system, supporting accessories, and One (1) year of preventative maintenance.

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: W911QX26QA031

(9) Sources Sought Closing Response Date: Five (5) days after date of posting by 11:59 A.M. Eastern Standard Time.

(10) Contact Point: [Andrea Minter], Contract Specialist, andrea.m.minter.civ@army.mil (11)

A. Objective:

To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed in section 11B. Note that the specific requirements in section C are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.

B. Technical Specifications:

The Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires one (1) Sample storage unit, associated parts, and one (1) year of preventative maintenance with the following minimum characteristics:

1. 10 chamber desiccators measuring 35 inches (”) wide by 18” deep by 60” tall, made of static dissipative Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC):

a. Chamber dimensions must be 16.625” wide by 16.125” deep by 11.625” tall.

b. Opening chamber dimensions must be 16.125” wide by 10.75” tall

c. There must be 10 chambers in the desiccator system.

d. There must be humidity control systems at the chamber (also known as cabinet) level.

e. The system must contain Underwriters Laboratories (UL) markings and be certified.

f. Total weight not to exceed 300 pounds (lbs).

2. A dual nitrogen purge system for desiccator systems, operating at 120/240 volts alternating current (VAC), 0.5 amperes (A), 50/60 hertz (Hhz) with dimensions 12” wide by 11.25” deep by 7” tall:

a. Warning alarms and system functions must be programmable.

b. Must create positive pressure inside the desiccator to prevent contamination and moisture inflow.

c. Must automatically activate a high-flow purge when access doors are opened.

d. Must emit an audible and visible alarm when line pressure falls below preset levels.

e. Must utilize sensor switches for control.

f. Must include a regulator with built-in inlet pressure gauge to provide clear visibility of system pressure.

g. Must have status indicator lights to show low-pressure alarm and high/low purge mode at a glance.

h. Must be compatible and integrate seamless with nitrogen controllers and humidity sensor systems which monitor and enable dynamic adjustment of nitrogen gas flow and humidity levels.

i. Must use programmable logic gives control warning alarms and other system functions.

j. Must be UL-listed.

k. Must come with a flowmeter capable of regulating to 0 – 20 standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH) and 0 – 60 pounds per square inch (PSI).

l. Must have a chamber sensor of 0 – 4” water gauge (WG) factor set to 0.02” WG.

m. Must be International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 7 certified.

3. A nitrogen and humidity monitoring system:

a. Must provide automatic setpoint control for the desiccator system.

b. Must work in tandem with the dual purge nitrogen system to maintain sub-ambient relative humidity (RH), down to 0 percent (%) RH.

c. Must sense and display relative humidity inside the desiccator within ±1.5% RH and maintain the preset humidity level regardless of operating conditions.

d. Must connect to individual sensors in each chamber to monitor and control RH inside the desiccator.

e. Must be programmable to provide user with control over desiccator warning systems and other system functions.

f. Must control the dual purge system with high and low flow purges to maintain any RH from 0% to room ambient humidity.

g. Must have ISO certification ISO 7 or ISO 8.

4. Door sensor switches must be ISO certified ISO 7 or ISO 8.

5. A quantity of nine (9), 304 stainless steel perforated shelves measuring 15.875” wide by 14.74” deep by 0.5” tall:

a. Maximum load must be 45 lbs or more.

6. An adjustable powder coated steel stand measuring 32” – 42.75” wide by 16” – 26.5” deep by 12” – 20” wide:

a. Must have a universal base stand.

b. Must have adjustable telescoping members (legs).

c. Must be Class 100 compliant including the features: non-shedding and made of cleanroom compatible materials.

d. Must have a load capacity of 800 lbs. with leveling feet and 400 lbs. with casters.

e. Must be designed to prevent accidental toppling of the system.

f. Side brackets must be welded together to prevent side-to-side sliding.

g. Must include non-marking chemical resistance Nylon feet.

7. A set of four (4) casters, ISO 8, three (3)” diameter heavy duty low profile with hard rubber wheels, bright zinc plating. Two (2) of the four (4) casters must have brakes:

a. Must be compatible with item six (6) above.

8. Desiccator unit, storage cabinets, and any accompanying glove boxes must have ISO 6 certification.

9. One (1) year warranty for the desiccator and parts.

10. Desiccator must come with UL listing declaration

11. Access doors must have 304 stainless steel reinforced frames.

12. Gaskets must be constructed of Santoprene “e”-shape non-outgassing rubber.

13. Lift latches on container doors must be chrome plated locking lift latches.

14. Sample containment system must include the following:

a. Dry gas flow meter 2-20 standard cubic feet per hour (SCFH) with a 2” scale brass valve.

b. Automatic Relief/Bleed (RB) system.

c. A rack for the storage chamber made of 304 stainless steel measuring 12” wide by 13” or 16” deep by 7.5” tall.

(Desiccator system must designed to be grounded) C. Responses:

All interested parties should notify this office via e-mail within the posted date. Responses shall include:

(I) To what extent each of the specifications can be met.

(I) Include your type of business (i.e. commercial, academia), whether your organization is classified as a large or small business based on the 1,000-size standard that accompanies NAICS code 334516. If a small business, you must also list any small disadvantaged status you hold [HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), etc.].

(II) Past experience/ performance through the description of completed projects.

(12) Responses to this Sources Sought are due five (5) days after date of posting by 11:59AM Eastern Standard Time (EST). Submissions should be emailed to Andrea Minter, Contract Specialist, andrea.m.minter.civ@army.mil.

Questions concerning this Sources Sought may be directed to Andrea Minter, Contract Specialist, andrea.m.minter.civ@army.mil

Please be advised that .zip and .exe files cannot be accepted.

(13) Place of Contract Performance: US Army Research Laboratory, 2800 Powder Mill Rd, Adelphi, MD 20783.

(14) Estimated Delivery Timeframe or Period of Performance: TBD

Last updated 2/13/2017