Environmental Protection Agency, Contracts Management Division, Cincinnati OH 45268

66 -- MEDIUM SCALE ION LASER SOL C600651T1. POC Mike Hennessey, (513) 366-2032. TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The National Exposure Research Laboratory, Characterization Research Division-Las Vegas, conducts research and develops tool used in determining exposure to pollutants and naturally occurring compounds in the environment. Measurements of the amounts and distribution poof various compounds using a variety of analytical tools enable the Office of Research and Development to rationally assess risk and evaluate programs that attempt to reduce risk from exposure laser-induced florescence (LIF) detection is a highly sensitive technique for detecting compounds of environmental interest using separations by capillary electrophoresis (CE) and related techniques. In order to fully exploit the capabilities of this technology for single capillaries and for capillary arrays (multiple capillaries), a frequency-doubled continuous wave laser capable of producing adequate power in the deep UV region (e.g., 229 nm to 264 nm) and a continuous wave mixed gas laser (AR/KR) capable of producing multiple spectral lines (e.g., 457.9 nm to 752.5 nm) are required. Both lasers are necessary in order to span the full spectral range with adequate power levels. CE/LIF detection requires exceptional stability in laser sources in order to detect analytes as low levels with small injection volumes (1 to 20 nL) at detection limits from 10-8 M to 10-12 M. Therefore, EPA intends to purchase two lasers for application to environmental analyses. Medium scale lasers (2W to 5W) are desired to achieve adequate power levels at frequency-doubled and as multiple wavelengths in order to use the lasers capillary array formats. External cooling and adequate powers supplies for lasers of this size shall be provided by the contractor. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Agency. TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Requests for a copy of the RFP can be faxed to 513-366-2004 or 513-366-2107. (187)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0447 19960710\66-0005.SOL)