FDA-RFQ-1214385 - VGA-101 Vacuum Ultraviolet Detector and Installation

This synopsis is hereby issued in accordance with FAR Part 5.203 and FAR 13.106-1(b) and will remain posted for 7 days. The purpose of this synopsis is to announce the Food and Drug Administration's intent to negotiate a Firm Fixed Price sole source award to:
VUV Analytics
1500 Arrow Point Drive, Ste. 805
Cedar Park, TX 78613

This award is for the procurement of a Brand Name equipment buy entitled - VGA-101 Vacuum Ultraviolet Detector and Installation. The need for this brand name purchase is due to the following facts:

The Division of Toxicology in OARSA/CFSAN is currently developing dermal absorption studies of contaminants and toxic ingredients diffused through skin. A vacuum ultraviolet detector is urgently needed for chemical analysis for at least two ongoing research projects-the development and analysis of 3D printed skin, and a joint project with the Center for Tobacco Products assessing contaminants and toxic ingredients that are diffused through buccal mucosa and skin within an in vitro diffusion cell system. After extensive and careful survey of the market, we have identified the VUV Analytics, Inc. VGA-101 vacuum ultraviolet detector, which has the unique specifications and features that meet our need.

Specifically, the system shall meet the following technical requirements:
• Ability to couple to a PerkinElmer Clarus500 Gas Chromatograph
• Vacuum ultraviolet wavelength range of 120-430 nm. This range is needed to see spectra produced by cr-cr* and 1t-1t* transitions that are not seen in traditional UV Nis spectroscopy.
• Spectral filtering, which is needed to quantitate samples at very low concentrations, such as those produced in the dermal studies.
• Selective compound identification, which is needed for deconvoluting similar compounds that do not separate in the gas chromatograph.
• No routine maintenance or vacuum pump, which makes the instrument easy to use and reliable, which would allow more time for the analysis of samples.
• Does not exceed 30" x 13" x 17" for benchtop space in the laboratory
• Deuterium Lamp Lifetime of over 2000 hours, to get the most samples analyzed before needed to change the lamp.
• The Division currently has a similar detector coupled to the liquid chromatograph, but the wavelength range is limited to 200nm, which current compounds that are being studied do not absorb at. The VGA-101 would provide spectral analysis and quantitation for these compounds that cannot be seen in the current system
The FDA has conducted market research of similar products and found that none matched the specific capabilities of the required piece of equipment while also being compatible with existing FDA lab equipment (PerkinElmer Clarus500 Gas Chromatograph. The CO also confirmed with VUV analytics that they are the sole distributor of the specified equipment.
THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS, however, interested firms may submit a capability statement in response to the above requirement with pricing information by August 9, 2019 @ 2:30 PM Local Time to Richard Robinson, Contract Specialist, Phone: (301) 796-6508, Email: Richard.robinson@fda.hhs.gov.

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