Electronic Mass Comparator

The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is soliciting bids for an electronic mass comparator to be utilized in its Giddings Metrology Laboratory. The procurement seeks a precision instrument meeting National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Echelon II specifications, with specific technical requirements including 0.10g readability, 0.25g repeatability for 2 grams and below, and a minimum weighing capacity of 5.1 grams. Key deliverables include the mass comparator itself, installation at the TDA Metrology Laboratory located at 1258 CR 226, Giddings, Texas 78942, and a minimum one-year warranty with on-site maintenance services. The bid response is due on July 9, 2025, at 3:00 PM CT, with a pre-bid webinar scheduled for June 17, 2025. The initial contract term will run from the effective date through August 31, 2025. Evaluation criteria will focus on best value considerations, examining both purchase price and bidder compliance with all solicitation requirements. Bidders must submit electronic responses to bidroom@texasagriculture.gov, providing two versions: an original proposal and a redacted version.

The TDA has established a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) subcontracting goal of 26% of the contract's total value, indicating a strong commitment to supporting diverse businesses. Potential bidders must demonstrate technical competence, provide evidence of past performance, and meet state business eligibility requirements, including maintaining a current Texas Identification Number and being in good standing with state tax and business filing obligations. While no specific budget range or award value is explicitly stated in the solicitation, the procurement's technical specificity suggests a specialized, precision instrument that likely represents a significant investment. The procurement appears open to various vendors capable of meeting the stringent technical specifications and HUB participation requirements. Electronic submission of bids, with careful attention to both original and redacted versions, will be critical to responsive and compliant bidding for this metrology equipment procurement.