Flex Choice Service Contract

Sources Sought Notice

Monitoring Ingredient Levels and Performance Quality of Dietary Supplements

Sources Sought #1142036-SS

This is a Sources Sought notice Only.  This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations.  This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ.

General Information

The service coverage requested must provide one scheduled Preventative Maintenance (PM) visit per year, an unlimited number of “high priority” corrective maintenance visits and high priority online or phone support.

Preventative Maintenance (PM): The PM, must be carried out by a service engineer, trained by Waters, who replaces all parts subject to wear as defined in the product specific PM checklist (see below). All parts are guaranteed to be genuine Waters parts and are included in a comprehensive PM parts list (see below). The performance maintenance visit enhances both the reliability and performance of the system.

Solvent Management and Pumps:

• Plunger Replacement                                                 (plunger replacement kit)

• Plunger Seal replacement                                         (plunger seal replacement kit)

• Check Valve Replacement                                        (check valve replacement kit)

• Solvent filter replacement                                        (solvent filter replacement kit)

• Draw off and reference valve rebuild                   (draw off/reference valve rebuild kit)

Sample management systems:

• Seal pack and needle replacement                       (needle & seal replacement kit)

• Fluidpack assembly replacement                           (replacement Fluidpack assembly)

• Fluidpack syringe replacement                               (replacement fluidpack syring)

• Manual injector rebuild                                             (injector rebuild kit)

UV/Vis Detectors:

• Source lamp replacement                                         (Source lamp replacement kit)

• Lens and window replacement                               (flow cell replacement kit)

Software, Firmware and Network:

• Install software updates/bug fixes                                        (as needed)

• Check and update firmware to be compatible                  (as needed)  

Corrective Maintenance (CM): All corrective maintenance must be carried out by a field service engineer trained on the subject system by Waters at the customer’s site.  All replacement parts utilized for the repair must be guaranteed to be genuine Waters parts. All corrective maintenance repairs must be given the highest priority resulting in the shortest possible wait times. Service suppliers must have a sufficient number of trained service providers in the central NY area to ensure rapid response times and demonstrate a proven history of rapid response, i.e., 75% of the time they need to be on site within business 48 hours of the initial service request.

Online or phone support: High priority service support must be available online and by phone during normal business hours (EST/EDT) for aid in trouble shooting, diagnosis and repairs. All online service engineers must be trained by Waters on the subject instrument. In this case an Acquity H-Class system equipped as described in the attached documentation.

This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government.

Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.  

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources including any Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses. Please state if you are a large business or a small business according to the NAICS code listed in this Sources Sought.

All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response defines how it can specifically meet the specifications for the items requested.  Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.  After reviewing the responses received, a Combined Synopsis solicitation notice may be published on Sam.gov.

Submit ALL the Following in order to be a valid response to this Sources Sought Notice:

1. Capability Statement and/or product descriptions that demonstrate your ability to meet all of the specific requirements, including Company Contact Info.
2. SAM.gov UEI Number.
3. Identify if you are a Large business or a Small business with NACIS 811210.

Original Point of Contact: All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by November 7, 2024, by 2:00 PM PDT, the specified due date and time to be considered and must include all items requested above. 

Email responses to Elizabeth Wilson at Elizabeth.Wilson2@usda.gov.

Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.