Process Control High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) System

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has a requirement for the purchase of a process control high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) system for applied research projects. The process sampler must have the ability to select from up to 14 streams without user intervention. The process sampler must be capable of varying volume and diluent flow rate through software control. The Software must provide capabilities for user-defined conditional responses for critical and non-critical equipment faults, as well as conditional responses to analyze results and the pumps must be fully automatic to accommodate on-the-fly adjustment for solvent compressibility. In addition, the software must provide continuous sample analysis, with the ability to prepare the next sample during the current analysis. All sample lines should have a manual shut-off valve and incorporate pressure regulation / restriction to keep the pressure below 60 psi (420 kPa) and accommodate periodic sample flow. The requested system must be able to be converted to an ion chromatographic system (IC) for flexibility for current and future laboratory and pilot-scale studies.

In addition, the equipment must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. The current laboratory equipment is a Dionex Ultimate 3000 HPLC system, and the new process control HPLC system must coordinate with the existing system by providing similar data quality, a compatible software platform, calibrations, and data storage that have been used to develop the analytical methods and standardized procedures that will be used with the new instrument. Thermo Electron North America LLC (CAGE Code: 3WXJ7) is the only reasonable vendor available that is capable of providing all these requirements cited based upon the specific sampling and compatibility requirements. The NAICS code for this requirement is 334516-Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 500 employees.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals. A solicitation will not be issued. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor's ability to fulfill this requirement. The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each.

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Christy Love at Christy.J.Love@usace.army.mil. The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission. Responses must be received no later than 5 days from the posted date of this notice.