SciAps Soil Analyzers

Awarded Limited / Sole Source Justification Posted

Solicitation number
12FPC424Q001
Agency
Set-aside
No set-aside

Opportunity facts

Contract number
12FPC424Q001
Place of performance
Michigan, United States

Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

Written by GovTribe AI ·

The United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service Michigan State Office published a Limited/Sole Source Justification Notice on February 7, 2024 to acquire one portable x-ray fluorescence analyzer and one laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy analyzer directly from SciAps, Inc. The Notice cites that only the SciAps devices can measure the required elements, including heavy metals and total carbon, at levels needed to support the agency's soil analysis and conservation activities across Michigan. Contract number 12FPC424Q001 was awarded to an unknown vendor for an unknown amount on February 15, 2024 to obtain the specialized soil analyzer equipment on a sole source basis from the Original Equipment Manufacturer, SciAps, Inc.

Notice text

Please see attached justification for additional information.  

Description of Product:

One (1) each Portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzer and one (1) Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) analyzer directly from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), SciAps, Inc., of Woburn, MA. These items, when sold, together form the contractor’s “One Box” assembly. The pXRF is a small, lightweight handheld X-Ray analyzer capable of elemental analysis of soils, particularly in the identification of pollutant metals. The LIBS analyzer is also a handheld device which operates using a pulsed, focused laser, capable of analyzing any element.

The rational or circumstances for limiting competition:

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Michigan State Office Soil Specialists are tasked with analysis and maintenance of soil health throughout the state.


Because soil health cannot be accurately measured by only crop yield, water quality, or any other single outcome, specialists must evaluate other indicators. Indicators are measurable properties of soil or plants that provide clues about how well the soil can function. Measurable indicators such as physical, chemical, and biological properties require the use of highly technical analysis equipment.


The pXRF and LIBs provide rapid, non-invasive soil analysis for numerous elements, including heavy metals and total carbon. These devices provide on-the-spot analysis of the presence of metal pollutants which is critical to the specialists’ capabilities to assist landowners in planning and land management. The ability to rapidly identify heavy metals and carbon concentrations affords specialists and landowners the ability to increase carbon sequestration and implement conservation practices.


Similar devices do exist; however, only the pXRF and LIBS manufactured by SciAps, Inc., offers soil analysis to the extent required by NRCS Michigan. The LIBs device includes measurements for Lithium (LI), Berylium (Be), Boron (B), Carbon (C), Flourine (F), Sodium (Na); and pXRF must include at least Magnesium (Mg), Aluminum (Al), Silicon (Si), Phosphorus (P), Sulfur (S), Potassium (K), Calcium (C), Titanium (Ti), Chromium (Cr), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), Nickel (Ni), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Arsenic (As), Selenium (Se), Strontium (Sr), Rubidium (Rb), Zirconium (Zr), Niobium (Nb), Molybdenum (Mo), Silver (Ag), Cadmium (Cd), Tin (Sn), Antimony (Sb), Barium (Ba), Tantalum (Ta), Thallium (Tl), Lead (Pb), and Bismuth (Bi).

Awarded contract 12FPC424Q001 to unknown vendor for unknown amount on 2024-02-15.

Files

File Type Posted
P06_JA_REQ 116560_Soil Analyzers NRCS MI_Redacted.pdf PDF

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