P24-1266 - Nitrogen Combustion Instrument

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has issued a Request for Quote (RFQ) solicitation, P24-1266, for a comprehensive nitrogen combustion instrument and related laboratory equipment. The procurement targets a rMAXNex-He rapid MAX N exceed elemental analyzer specifically designed for nitrogen determination, along with accompanying consumables, a modern office PC with Windows 10, O2 and He/Ar gas regulators, online instrument training, and an electronic analytical balance. This procurement is intended to support the fertilizer inspection program, which requires frequent total nitrogen analysis. The solicitation covers jurisdictions in Sacramento County and San Francisco City, with a bid response deadline of March 24, 2025, at 12:00 PM PT. Potential bidders may submit questions via email until March 19, 2025, and the award will be made to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder on an "All or None" basis. The evaluation will focus on complete compliance with technical specifications, pricing, and mandatory attachments including a Commercially Useful Function Statement, Bidder Declaration, Recycled Content Certification, and Darfur Contracting Act Certification.

The procurement is specifically targeted at small businesses and disabled veteran business enterprises (DVBE), with strict requirements for certification and demonstrating a commercially useful function. Bidders must meet California civil rights laws, provide recycled content certifications, and comply with special provisions regarding generative artificial intelligence usage. While a specific budget range is not explicitly stated, vendors are required to include all freight, shipping, and handling charges within their unit pricing. The solicitation emphasizes supporting DVBE participation, suggesting potential preference or scoring advantages for qualifying businesses. Interested vendors must carefully complete all required documentation, demonstrate their ability to meet the technical specifications for the nitrogen combustion instrument, and show compliance with state procurement regulations. The procurement appears designed to upgrade laboratory equipment for the fertilizer inspection program while simultaneously supporting California's goals of promoting diverse and disabled veteran-owned business participation in state contracting opportunities.