Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Road,Mail Stop 285, Menlo Park, CA 94025-3591

66 -- HIGH PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY SYSTEM POC Phyllis Michel, Contracting Officer, (650) 329-4163 E-MAIL: to contact the contracting officer by e-mail, pmichel@wr.usgs.gov. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Biological Resources Division, Moab, Utah, requires a High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) system to use in chlorophyll and other plant pigment studies for research on cryptobiotic crust. The USGS intends to proceed with the acquisition on a sole source basis with Waters Corporation, Medford, MA, the only known source for an HPLC meeting all the following requirements: (1) Separation module's known error rate max. 0.008% to consistently find trace elements; (2) bandwidth maximum 1.5nm for acceptable resolution; (3) 2 mono-chromators to control excitation and emission separately; (4) low gradient volume for quick reaction to change in gradient, and allow use of very sensitive coils; (5) 4-solvent pump capacity, for ion-exchange extractions and other research; (6) pressure range does not change while pumping; (7) auto-sampler keeps chlorophyll cool and dark and can be temperature-controlled; (8) auto-sampler washes both inside and outside of the needle to prevent contamination; (9) software that can be searched for data using various names and parameters, allows manipulation and comparison of data, and is Y2K ready; (10) trouble-shooting and repair service available on-site in Moab, Utah within 24 hours; (11) data comparable with, and methods of analysis the same as collaborators' who use Waters HPLC. This notice is solely for the purpose of determining whether to issue a competitive RFQ. Interested parties should respond in writing to attention of the contracting officer at the address above, within 15 days of publication date of this notice, with detailed information on its capabilities for meeting the USGS requirements described herein, and commercial pricing information if available. Responses which do not include the requested information will not be considered in the Government's decision. See Note 22. Posted 08/04/98 (W-SN232691). (0216)

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