Filter Photometer

Sources Sought Notification for Filter Photometer

This is a Sources Sought Announcement issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for informational and planning purposes only. This is NOT a solicitation, nor is it an announcement for a forthcoming solicitation. Submission of any information in response to this notification is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred in providing a response.

The USDA has a requirement for a Filter Photometer for to analyze water samples, soil extracts, and plant tissue extracts for a wide range of dissolved constituents in the Soil and Water Quality Lab at the USDA-ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit (CSWQRU) in Columbia, MO in accordance with the attached Statement of Work..

Responses to this notification will help to determine the acquisition strategy for any future solicitation.

Submission Instructions: Interested vendors are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought notification by 11:00 a.m. CT on April 30, 2024, to the attention of Tiffany Reval, Contracts Specialist, at tiffany.reval@usda.gov . All questions are asked to be submitted in writing to the Primary Point of Contract and will be addressed accordingly.

Responses should be no more than 10 pages and include the following information:

1. Organization Name;
2. Contact Name, e-mail address and phone number;
3. Organizations UEI number;
4. Business size status for the applicable NAICS code;
5. A statement of interest in any forthcoming acquisition.
6. A statement of capability to perform details of the requirement to include all requirements outlined in SOW.

Interested vendors are instructed to provide only the data requested. No proprietary classified confidential or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Any additional information will not be reviewed by the USDA.

Statement of Work (SOW)

Project:  Filter Photometer – Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Scope of Work:

Provide a filter photometer to analyze water samples, soil extracts, and plant tissue extracts for a wide range of dissolved constituents in the Soil and Water Quality Lab at the USDA-ARS Cropping Systems and Water Quality Research Unit (CSWQRU) in Columbia, MO. This instrument must be identical to the existing instrument for efficiency and to provide long-term data continuity.

2. Background:

The CSWQRU researches the effects of cropping system management practices on soil and water quality and conducts research in support of the Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network. Surface water samples are collected from streams and autosamplers for analysis of nutrients and other compounds; soil samples and plant tissue samples are collected, ground, and extracted for a wide range of colorimeteric analyses in addition to fundamental pH and conductivity measurements. The current laboratory instrumentation does not have the throughput capacity to analyze all of the time-sensitive, event-based samples received without violating holding times and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) standards. We are seeking a second filter photometer to provide the required data in accordance with research objectives and approved analytical protocols. The new filter photometer will operate in parallel with the existing filter photometer. The data produced by the new filter photometer must be fully interchangeable with the existing filter photometer data for efficiency and for long-term data continuity.

CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

3. Technical Requirements/Tasks:

Specifications include:

1. Single channel filter photometer
2. Absorbance resolution of 0.001 A or better
3. Minimum absorbance range: 0.0-3.0 A
4. Minimum spectral range: 300 – 850 nm
5. Minimum 10 filter positions
6. Concurrent pH, conductivity, and photometric analysis
7. Automated system for hands-free analysis
8. Shipping and lift-gate delivery to 1406 E. Rollins Road, Columbia MO 65211
9. Operates with 120 V or 240 V power supply

Brand Name or Equivalent:

Thermo Scientific Gallery Aqua Master with ECM.

4. Deliverables / Schedule:

The filter photometer shall be delivered via lift-gate delivery to 1406 E. Rollins Road, Columbia MO 65211 no later than 45 days after award. There is no loading dock at the receiving facility.

5.0    Contractor’s Key Personnel:

Vendor’s personnel should be trained and certified to provide technical advice on installation and operation of the instrument.