Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometer System

Added: Jul 18, 2017 11:03 am Notice Type: Pre-solicitation

Synopsis: Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometer System

NAICS Code: 334516

Product Service Code: 6640



The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Office of Research and Development's (ORD), National Risk Management Research Laboratory (NRMRL), Water Systems Division (WSD) has a requirement for a Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometer System (SFSS) for performing in-house research. The SFSS is a fully automated system, which allows absorbance, fluorescence, or conductivity to be used to determine fast reaction kinetics.



The Stopped-Flow Spectrophotometer System must meet or exceed all of the following minimum specifications:



1. Single and double mixing stopped-flow

A fully automated, computer controlled stopped-flow system capable of absorbance and fluorescence measurements, single mixing, and double (sequential) mixing using three reagents and an age loop to incubate the first mixed solution for a set time (minimum aging time of 15 milliseconds or less and a maximum aging time of 1,000 seconds or greater) before reacting with a third reagent in the observation cell. The stopped-flow must be capable of a dead time of 1.2 milliseconds (ms) or less with a standard cell and 0.5 ms or less with a low volume cell.

-Must provide 3-4 syringes for sequential mixing.

-Must allow for asymmetric mixing, with ratio mixing up to at least 10:1.

-Must provide standard cell with dead time of 1.2 ms or less.

-Must provide cuvette geometry able to accommodate multiple detectors.

-Must provide pneumatic syringe system for fluid delivery.

-Must operate in a working temperature ranging from 0°C to 60°C.

-Must provide connectors compatible with water bath systems.

-Low volume cell for fast kinetics, up to 2000 s-1

-Must provide easily changeable low volume cell for fast kinetics with a dead time of 0.5 ms or less.

3. Multi-wavelength detector

-Must provide multi-wavelength detector with variable integration time for homogenous spectral data from a single shot.

-Must time resolve absorption spectra.

-Must operate for a wavelength range of at least 225-725 nm.

-Must allow a variable integration time.

4. Photomultiplier detection

-Must provide photomultiplier detection for fluorescence and for optimum sensitivity and speed in absorbance mode from 200¿850 nm.

5. Light range 200-850 nm

-Must provide light sources and stabilized power supply to cover the range of 200-850 nm.

6. Conductivity detector

-Must provide single and double mixing conductivity detection and be easily interchangeable.

-Must provide a dead time of 10 ms or less.

-Must cover a minimum conductivity range of 0-2 mS.

7. Temperature range from 0°C to 60°C

-Must work from 0°C to 60°C.

-Must provide provision to eliminate condensation at low temperatures.

8. Circulator and cooler

-Must include circulator and cooler to thermostat the system at the desired temperature from 0°C to 60°C.

9. Quench-Flow attachment

-Must include an attachment that allows the conversion of the sequential mixing system to a simple quench-flow unit where the user can recover aged, quenched samples.

-Must allow user-selected sample age times from 30 ms to 1,000 seconds.

10. Ratio mixing up to 10:1

-In addition to 1:1 mixing, the system must be capable of asymmetric mixing in single mixing mode, allowing ratio mixing up to 10:1.

-Must provide 2 x 0.5 mL syringes.

-Must provide 2 x 2.5 mL syringes.

11. Dual detection

-Must have the capability to obtain fluorescence and absorbance measurements simultaneously.

12. Fluorescence emission scanning

-Must have the capability to resolve fluorescence scanning emission measurements.

13. Instrument operating software and computer

-Must provide a high specification personal computer configured for system operation and with appropriate operating system software.

-Instrument Operating Software

o Must provide multiple licenses.

o Must allow data acquisition and analysis and full control of the stopped-flow system hardware.

o Must allow fitting of data using multiple models to estimate reaction rates.

o Must export data in Excel compatible files (.csv and .txt).

o Must be compatible with Windows 10.

14. Spares kit

-Must provide spares to cover consumables that may be necessary, including drive valves, range of fuses, syringes, and replacement lamps.

15. Installation and training

-Must provide 3 days of installation and on¿site training.

-Must provide hardware and software manuals in electronic and hard copy format.

16. Warranty

-Must provide 1 year warranty for any faulty parts that includes parts and labor starting from the date of instrument installation.

-Must provide on-site maintenance during the warranty period, if necessary, at 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45268.

17. Shipping

-Must include shipping costs.



The government anticipates awarding a single fixed-price purchase order. This procurement will be accomplished under FAR Part 12 Commercial Procedures. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. OFFERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED UNTIL THE SOLICITATION IS ISSUED THROUGH FEDCONNECT®. The solicitation is expected to be issued by the beginning of August 2017 through the FedConnect® portal. It is the responsibility of the offerors to frequently check the FedConnect® portal for updates or changes.



FedConnect® is a web portal that connects agencies and vendors to streamline the process of doing business with the federal government. Through FedConnect® contractors will be able to receive, review and respond to contract pre- and post-award actions and documents such as correspondence, request for proposals, tasking instruments and contract modifications. The use of FedConnect® also furthers the EPA's commitment to moving towards a paperless acquisition environment by reducing its carbon footprint and conducting its business in an ecologically friendly manner. There is no charge to use FedConnect®.



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