U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 W. Martin Luther King Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45268

A -- 12 REACTOR, COMPUTERIZED RESPIROMETER SYSTEM SOL CLM133 DUE 120498 POC Barbara A. Curtiss, 513-487-2036 or fax 513-487-2109 E-MAIL: U.S. EPA CINCINNATI CONTRACTS MANAGEMENT DIVISION, curtiss.barbara@epamail.epa.gov. The U.S. EPA National Risk Management Research Laboratory plans to negotiate for the procurement of a computerized, automated respirometer, required for conducting experiments that continuously monitor the respiratory activity of bacteria consuming crude oil, coal tar derivatives, or other organic pollutants over periods of weeks to months. The system shall be able to monitor oxygen uptake continuously over time while the bacteria is degrading the organic material in aqueous or solid matrices. The data shall be recorded continuously via personal computer using existing operating software and system interfaces. The software shall be able to display oxygen uptake curves and/or derivatives of the uptake curves on a color monitor. The operator shall be able to display the uptake curves for any or all of the reactors in operation or data files from prior experiments. The respirometer shall be equipped with an alkaline trap for collection of carbon dioxide evolved into the headspace. Each flask in the respirometer shall be independent of every other flask and all headspaces must be kept separate at all times to prevent cross contamination of either bacteria or volatile components of the substrate under study. The respirometer shall be provided with a water bath temperature control accurate to plus or minus 0.1 C, in the range from 15 to 50 C. The respirometer is intended to replace older equipment that is near the end of its service life. The EPA plans to negotiate on a sole source basis with N-Con Systems. EPA source research indicates that N-Con software is uniquely qualified to provide this equipment given the fact the equipment must be compatible with exist- ing N-Con software and system interface. However, any firm believing itself capable of meeting these requirements may submit technical documen- tation to establish the potential of complying with the minimum perfor- mance specifications. Only those firms presenting such documentation will be considered. Otherwise, EPA will proceed to negotiate with N-Con Systems. Note: The proposed acquisition is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Request for Quotation (RFQ) should be submitted to this office not later that 4 Dec 98. Posted 11/20/98 (W-SN273691). (0324)

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