66 -- ELEMENTAL ANALYZER

Notice Date

January 8, 2001

Contracting Office

U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, Contracts Management Division (MD-33), Attn: ORDSC, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711

ZIP Code

27711

Solicitation Number

XQCE06

Response Due

January 19, 2001

Point of Contact

Pamela E. Smith (919)541-0635

E-Mail Address

click here to contract the contracting officer via (smith.pamela@epa.gov)

Description

Amendment # 2 to combined synopsis/solicitation XQCE06, for Elemental Analyzer which was advertised on September 15, 2000. The small business set-aside has been dissolved and converted to full and open competition, firm-fixed price contract. The statement of work has been revised for Elemental Analyzer: Background: The Coastal Ecology Branch (CEB) of the Gulf Ecology Division of EPA's National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory requires the acquisition of an elemental analyzer to replace an existing unit. CEB is involved in environmental monitoring and other research activities that require the determination of levels of carbon and nitrogen in both particulate samples (on filters) and liquid samples. The data is being used in characterization of carbon and nitrogen cycling in small estuaries and bayous along the Gulf of Mexico. The division would also like to have the capability of analyzing additional elements with the same instrument (i.e. sulfur -- oxygen). Description: EPA is requiring a single instrument capable of simultaneous determination of the levels of carbon and nitrogen in both solid and liquid samples, with the capacity for reconfiguring the analysis of the same types of samples for sulfur or oxygen. In addition, the instrument should be computer driven and capable of unattended operation after initial setup and calibration. Required specifications are listed below. Specifications: 1.) Elemental analyzer shall be capable of simultaneous determination of levels of carbon and nitrogen, with the capacity to accept modules to configure for the analysis of sulfur or oxygen. 2.) Analyzer shall possess an autosampler capable of handling 32 solid samples or greater. 3.) Analyzer shall also possess the capability to analyze liquid samples through direct injection or use of an automated liquid injection system. 4.) The instrument shall utilize gas chromatography separation of the sample with thermal conductivity detection or a trap and purge system. 5.) The instrument shall be delivered with software that will control the operation of the instrument as well assist the generation and exportation of results. The software shall be capable of generating detailed reports of individual samples or a single report summarizing the results of a batch of samples. These reports shall be exportable in an Excel format. Software shall be windows 95 / 98 compatible. 6.) Instrument package shall include installation and training, an instrument will not be accepted until actual samples have been analyzed, along with a minimum of a 12 month comprehensive warranty. An extended warranty or maintenance agreement, inclusive of parts and labor, shall be offered by the manufacturer to maintain this instrument at optimal performance. 7.) Instrument package shall be delivered no later than 90 days after receipt of order. Proposal Instructions and Evaluation Criteria: The Government intends to award a single contract to the responsible offeror whose technically acceptable proposal represents the best overall value to the Government based on evaluation of technical approach, past performance and price. Only those offerors submitting technically acceptable proposals (as determined under subcriterion A.1 below) shall be considered for award. For the purposes of this best-value evaluation of technically acceptable proposals, technical approach (subcriterion A.2), past performance and price are of approximately equal importance. The following is a description of each evaluation criterion, including information which must be included with initial proposals: A.) Technical Approach: 1.) Demonstrated ability of the proposed system to meet the requirements set forth in the Statement of Work. The specifications in the Statement of Work represent the Government's minimum needs. Proposals must include sufficient material (such as narrative technical specifications, drawings, photos, brochures, demo disks, videos, etc.) to permit the Government to determine that the proposed instrument will meet the requirements set forth in the Statement of Work. Any specific variances from the specifications shall be addressed by the offeror with respect to how the offeror's proposal provides alternative equivalence. Failure of an offeror to demonstrate that the proposed instrument will meet the Statement of Work requirements shall render the offeror ineligible for further consideration for award. 2.) Proposals determined to be technically acceptable under subcriterion A.1 above shall be evaluated for creative and innovative use of technology and methods to accomplish objectives. B.) Past Performance: Past performance will be used for both responsibility determinations and as a factor against which offerors' relative rankings will be compared to ensure the best value to the Government. Each offeror submitting a technically acceptable proposal shall be evaluated on performance under existing and prior (within the past 3 years) contracts/subcontracts/orders for systems similar to that described in the Statement of Work for this requirement. The Government's evaluation shall focus on the quality of past performance and level of customer satisfaction. Proposals shall include a representative list of contracts/subcontracts/orders completed during the past three years, and contracts/subcontracts/orders currently in process, which are similar in nature to this requirement. For each contract/subcontract/order identified, include a brief synopsis which includes the date the work was performed, the client for whom the work was performed (include client name and telephone number), and a description of the system which was installed. C.) Price The proposed firm-fixed-price for the entire project shall be entered in the appropriate block on the standard form provided by the Government. The Government reserves the right to require additional pricing information if necessary to determine that the proposed price is reasonable. Please submit two copies of the technical proposal and two copies of the price proposal to Pamela E. Smith, Contracting Officer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 79 T.W. Alexander, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709. All offers are due by January 18, 2001 4:30p.m. EST. No telephone or faxed requests or offers will be honored.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010110/66SOL001.HTM (W-008 SN50A411)