Field Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer

The Commonwealth of Kentucky, Department of Finance and Administration Cabinet, Division of Waste Management, issued a Request for Bid (RFB 758) on April 16, 2021, seeking one field portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometer (FPXRF), specifically a Bruker Titan 800 3rd Generation or approved equivalent. The instrument must be hand-held, battery-operated, and capable of providing simultaneous real-time analysis of multiple inorganic chemical elements in soil and other media for both in-situ and ex-situ testing, complying with EPA SW-846 method 6200 analytical criteria. Required specifications include a miniature X-ray tube excitation source with minimum 40 kV voltage, a Silicon Drift Detector, and factory calibration, with included deliverables comprising a minimum of two lithium-ion batteries, a charger, NIST standard reference materials, calibration check materials, spare windows, user manual with parts pricing, and a sturdy carrying case. Bidders proposing alternate brands must submit descriptive literature to verify equivalency, and failure to provide sufficient documentation may result in a non-responsive determination. The solicitation utilized a Best Value evaluation approach scoring 90 points for price, 10 points for delivery, and 10 points for warranty (110 total points). Written vendor questions were due by April 23, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. ET, with bids due by April 30, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. ET, and delivery required by June 30, 2021 to the Division of Waste Management at 300 Sower Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601. All bids were required to be submitted electronically through the Commonwealth's eProcurement system, with pricing quoted on an F.O.B. Destination Freight Prepaid and Allowed basis, and proposed pricing remaining valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days after the bid due date.

Resident bidders of Kentucky receive reciprocal preference, and qualified bidders including Kentucky Correctional Industries and nonprofit organizations serving individuals with severe disabilities receive preference equal to 15 to 20 percent of maximum points, with the latter required to document that at least 75 percent of direct labor man hours are provided by individuals with severe disabilities. Vendors were required to be registered in the Commonwealth's eProcurement system and submit mandatory documentation including a Kentucky Tax Registration Form 10A100, certificates of authority for foreign entities where applicable, affidavits affirming compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws and trade boycott prohibitions, and Equal Employment Opportunity forms if applicable. The contract was to be awarded as a Group All contract, requiring bidders to submit bids on all line items to avoid non-responsive designation, with the Commonwealth reserving the right to cancel the RFB if responses exceeded available funding. No specific incumbent vendors, current contractors, or required technology integrations were identified in the solicitation documents. No budget range or contract award value was specified in the available documentation.