SOURCES SOUGHT
66 -- Request for Information - Water Analyzer
- Notice Date
- 1/20/2012
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- Bureau of Reclamation-DO-Acquisition Operations Group PO Box 25007, 84-27810 Denver CO 80225
- ZIP Code
- 80225
- Solicitation Number
- R12PS80148
- Response Due
- 2/29/2012
- Archive Date
- 1/19/2013
- Point of Contact
- Robert Brackett 3034452442 rbrackett@usbr.gov;
- E-Mail Address
-
Point of Contact above, or if none listed, contact the IDEAS EC HELP DESK for assistance
(EC_helpdesk@NBC.GOV)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e). The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is requesting information on potential sources to cooperatively develop and use an in situ water analyzer that can be applied to surface water to detect at the species level for the presence (and absence) of Dreissena spp. (zebra and quagga mussels). The specific area of interest and minimum baseline performance for the in situ water analyzer are listed below. Area of Interest. Reclamation is interested in the development and use of an in situ water analyzer that can be applied to surface water (e.g., Reclamation reservoirs) to selectively and sensitively detect for the presence (and absence) of two Dreissena spp., zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), at the earliest possible stage of infestation. Early detection of these invasive bivalve species makes it more possible for Reclamation to take certain steps to slow down their spread to neighboring water bodies and implement control measures for the protection of our water delivery infrastructures. Currently, detection of mussel veligers is accomplished using plankton tow net sampling and returning the water samples to Reclamation's laboratories where they are analyzed using cross-polarized microscopy, PCR, and scanning electron microscopy. Minimum Baseline Performance. The minimum baseline performance for such an analyzer to be cooperatively developed must meet or exceed current capabilities being used by Reclamation, including: a.Entire process from water sampling to final data recording must be accomplished on site (e.g., in situ at Reclamation reservoirs), without requiring an on-going human operator to be present.b.Tests of samples of naturally-occurring plankton from surface water with sample volumes greater than 1,000 liters per site per month (typical of current Reclamation monitoring programs), without requiring sample preservation or sample holding prior to detection (as currently performed in Reclamation monitoring programs).c.No additional labor cost per unit sample. Reclamation's current cost estimate is $350 per unit sample, which includes sampling and laboratory testing.d.Total turnaround time for a single sample from sampling to final data reporting must be accomplished on site faster than current Reclamation practice of collecting a sample and returning sample for laboratory testing (typically 1 - 2 weeks from field sampling to laboratory report). e.Tests of samples must be able to detect sizes of Dreissinid veligers ranging from 100 microns to 500 microns.f.Level of detection selectivity must be species-specific for both zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis), without requiring human operator assessment and without any cross interferences between zebra mussel, quagga mussel, or other common plankton species (i.e., ostracods and Asiatic clams).g.Instrument detection limit is 1 veliger (absolute scale), equivilant to current Reclamation laboratory methods utilizing microscopy and PCR.h.Probability of capturing veligers in situ must match or better current Reclamation monthly sampling of 1,000 liters concentrated to 50 milliliters during plankton tow sampling (20,000 fold concentration factor). i.Species-specific detection must have an absent/present accuracy rate equal or greater than current DNA-based PCR methods (75.8%), with less than 18.2% false negative and 6.1% false positive error rates. j.Species-specific detection for both zebra and quagga mussels must be simultaneous, without requiring separate sample processing. k.Water analyzer must be flexible enough to allow for simultaneous species-specific detection of possible future addition of other target species, such as other sessile, epibyssate, veliger-producing freshwater mussels (e.g., Limnoperna fortunei, aka golden mussel which is a Neotropical invader).l.Species-specific detection must allow for in situ determination of absence or presence (e.g., the minimum threshold for presence must be well defined). m.At a minimum, water analyzer must provide a record of time of sample collection, volume of water sampled, absence/presence of zebra and quagga mussels, and raw signal levels. n.Water analyzer must be transportable using regular government vehicles (car or truck) or common courier services such as FEDEX, UPS, or DHL.o.Operation of the water analyzer must be shown to be safe to the environment and human health. In the past 5 years, Reclamation has sponsored and conducted significant research in the development of new laboratory analytical methods for the detection of zebra and quagga mussels, including DNA-based PCR and antibody-based immunofluorescence detection. While these new analytical methods are at the research level, this effort has demonstrated the potential of molecular methods to selectively and sensitively detect for the presence of zebra and quagga mussels. Reclamation seeks to apply these molecular-based methods to further improve our capability to monitor for zebra and quagga mussels. Reclamation organized and sponsored a 1 ?-day workshop in January, 2009 to further explore current zebra and quagga mussel detection methods and controls. The proceedings from this workshop are available at: http://www.musselmonitoring.com/Mussel_Monitoring_Workshop_Report%20v3%20(FINAL).pdf In addition, Reclamation and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services have sponsored an ongoing Round Robin Study, including a community double-blind testing of currently available laboratory methods (cross polarized light microscopy, imaging flow cytometry, and polymerase chain reaction assays). This double-blind testing was phase II of the Round Robin Study and was completed in February 2011. The information most relevant to this business opportunity notice is the accuracy rate reported for current DNA-based PCR methods (75.8%), with an 18.2% false negative and 6.1% false positive error rates. The results from the second phase of this Round Robin study are being submitted for publication, but the initial report can be found at: http://www.musselmonitoring.com/Reports/RRII%20Final%20Report%20(2010).pdf This request is to gather information from interested parties and is deemed essential as part of our collaborative, deliberate planning process for future acquisition planning if the information submitted indicates a strong commercial capability exists for Reclamation's intended applications or for research and development efforts with qualified industry representative(s) to develop and commercialize the capability sought. Interested parties should include the following information in their response: (a) Business name, address, socioeconomic classification, if any (i.e. HUBZone, 8(a)), small or woman-owned business, etc.), existing federal contract number(s), if any, and a point of contact with email; (b) Evidence of successful current and/or recent past experience relevant. The evidence should include the following as applicable: project titles and descriptions, work samples, screenshots, videos, reports, company/service literature, dollar amounts and points of contacts with telephone numbers and email addresses. All interested parties are encouraged to respond to this notice, by e-mail to Rob Brackett, Procurement Analyst Denver Office Acquisition Operations Group at rbrackett@usbr.gov no later than February 29, 2012. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of the submission of contractor's information. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.
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