Dual Furnace Thermogravimetric Analyzer System

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), specifically the Materials and Tests Division, is conducting a competitive procurement for a Dual Furnace Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) system through an Invitation for Bid (IFB) numbered 601440000051659. The solicitation seeks a sophisticated scientific instrument capable of analyzing thirty-eight samples per run with precise temperature control ranging from ambient to 1000°C, heating ramp rates between 1-50°C per minute, and rapid cooling capabilities. The TGA system must integrate with existing FTIR spectrometer equipment, accommodate sample weights between 1-5 grams, operate on 220/230V power, and support multiple purge gases including Nitrogen, Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, and air. Specific manufacturers like LECO Corporation (Model TGA801-DCM) and TA Instruments (Model Discovery TGA 5500) are referenced, though equivalent systems meeting or exceeding specifications will be considered. Key procurement dates include a January 14, 2026 deadline for submitting questions, with TxDOT's responses posted by January 20, 2026, and a final bid submission deadline of January 22, 2026, at 3:00 PM Central Time, with a tentative contract award date of January 28, 2026.

The procurement allows participation from vendors listed on the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts' Centralized Master Bidders List (CMBL), with no specific set-aside designations mentioned. Bidders must comply with various regulatory requirements, including Texas Family Code provisions, anti-trust laws, and federal anti-terrorism screening through SAM.gov and OFAC lists. The solicitation includes preference considerations for Texas-produced supplies, service-disabled veteran-owned businesses, recycled materials, and environmentally sensitive goods. While no specific budget range is explicitly stated, the procurement requires the vendor to provide comprehensive installation services, including a factory-trained technician who will conduct at least four hours of instruction on safety, operation, and preventive maintenance. The equipment must be new, in current production, and include a minimum twelve-month warranty covering 100% parts and labor. Delivery will be to TxDOT's Materials and Tests Division in Austin, Texas, with all freight, installation, and calibration charges to be included in the bid price. TxDOT reserves the right to terminate the contract without penalty if funding becomes unavailable, and vendor performance will be continuously monitored.