Sources Sought SOW Q0223.doc

Statement of Work Project: LI-COR LI-870 CO2/H2O Gas Analyzer 17 July 2023

GENERAL INFORMATION

1.0 Scope of Work: The USDA-National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment (NLAE), 1015 N University Blvd, Ames, IA has need to purchase a gas analyzer for measurement of soil carbon dioxide emissions using recirculating closed and automated chamber systems, which is a critical component of soil health and C storage.

2.0 Background: Instrument is sought to support soil health and C storage (sequestration) research through assessment of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas fluxes. Changes in agricultural land use as well as climate fluctuations alter soil health and the ability of soil to store C. Assessment of C loss through CO2 fluxes is critical to our understanding of C storage and cycling in agricultural systems. The LICOR system is used to measure soil CO2 fluxes through closed chambers that circulate air through the detector. This system includes both the chamber and measurement device, is rugged and portable (lightweight), and provides rapid and accurate measurement of soil CO2 fluxes. The LICOR company also has prompt and helpful technical support. Other CO2 measurement devices do not offer these capabilities.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3.0 Technical Requirements/Tasks:

· Must provide measurements of CO2 and H2O concentrations.

· Must be capable of rapid and precise measurement.

· Must have GPS capability

· Chamber size must be: 20 cm diameter and volume of 4244.1 cm3

· Must allow a CO2 measurement range of 0 – 20,000 ppm and precision of 1.5% of reading

· Must include pressure vent to ensure equal pressure within and outside the chamber

· H2O measurement range of 0-60,000 ppm with precision (1 standard deviation) of 45 ppm at 10,000 ppm with 1 second averaging and 20 ppm at 10,000 ppm with 5 second averaging.

· Must have rapid response time for CO2 measurements (< 4 seconds).

· Must operate under wide environmental conditions:

· Temperature: -20 deg to 45 degrees C

· Sample humidity: 0-99.9% non-condensing relative humidity

· Instrument(s) must be able to attain stated specifications when encountering elevated concentrations of H2O typical in static flux chambers deployed on surface soils in Iowa, USA.

· Must include a controller and embedded data logger

· Must be compatible with recirculating air systems for chamber flux measurement

· Must operate on AC or DC power with appropriate adapter

· For field measurement, must provide low power draw, less than or equal to 180 W

· Must be designed for field use

· Must weigh less than 12 kg (batteries included) and reside in a compact crushproof case

· Must include remote access and control capability

· Qty: 2 Analyzers with battery packs with a minimum battery life of 17 hr/battery

· Qty: 20 Soil Chamber Anchors (20 cm diameter, 15 cm height)

4.0 Deliverables/Schedule: Delivered onsite within 60 days of date of award.