Low-Field Benchtop Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Instrument

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Science, is seeking to procure a low-field benchtop Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) instrument to support the Human Foods Program in food safety screening and analytical applications. The comprehensive acquisition includes the instrument itself, delivery, installation, training, technical support, and a one-year warranty, with specific requirements for detecting per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food contact substances and supporting food product analysis, metabolomics, compound identification, and reaction monitoring. The instrument must meet detailed technical specifications including a minimum field strength of 80 MHz, compatibility with standard 5 mm NMR tubes, capabilities for 1H, 19F, and 13C NMR, 2D experiments, and relaxation measurements, and must be new rather than refurbished. Quotations will be evaluated using a Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) methodology, requiring vendors to demonstrate full compliance with all technical specifications. Questions regarding the solicitation are due by September 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM Eastern Time, with quotations due by September 4, 2025, at the same time.

This procurement is designated as a total small business set-aside under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), limiting eligibility to companies with up to 1,000 employees. The solicitation requires delivery within six months of contract award, with installation and training to be provided by the manufacturer at the FDA facility. Vendors must include a one-year Mestrelab Mnova software license as part of their offering and submit technical proposals demonstrating compliance with the comprehensive list of technical requirements. The RFQ emphasizes that only new instruments will be accepted, and all installation, training, and technical support services must be provided as specified. No incumbent contractors or specific award values are mentioned in the available documentation, though the detailed technical specifications and comprehensive service requirements suggest this is a significant procurement for specialized laboratory equipment.