66--Acid Vials Containing Acid Solutions

Acid Vials Containing Acid Solutions

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. NO FORMAL SOLICITATION IS BEING REQUESTED UNDER THIS NOTICE.

This Sources Sought Notice is for market research purposes to identify interested firms for the potential requirement detailed below. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 325199 (All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing) and the size standard is 1,250 employees. The Government will review the information requested in this announcement to determine the type of set-aside (if any) for this requirement, should it come to fruition.

NOTE 1: The Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. 8301-05) is the primary federal procurement law providing a preference for domestic goods and manufactured products. As such, the USGS is seeking information on sources that can supply the described instrument either mined, produced or manufactured in the U.S. in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities of satisfactory quality.

NOTE 2: The full specifications and requirements will be provided with any solicitation that may be issued. The Government is not required to issue a solicitation.

A. Introduction:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) has a requirement for acid vials for use in Water Resource Discipline (WRD) water sampling and testing programs.

B. Background:

The USGS, WRD, and NWQL strive to maintain national consistency in all of the environmental samples collected by their personnel. The scientific analytical data from these samples is available and presented for use by other agencies and the public. It is extremely important that the supplies acquired hereunder be of high quality and will continue to provide consistency with the data that has been obtained, in some cases, for over a decade. Consistency in data is critical for the NWQL and USGS programs across the country for which the Lab does analysis, and only high quality items will allow for this. Unlike commercial labs, the NWQL, and the USGS programs they support, monitor trends in the data.

C. Specifications:

Thermo Fisher Chemicals in Poly Vials produced by EP Scientific or Equal per the following specifications:

1.) 2.0 mL, 7.5-7.7N Ultrex grade nitric acid solution, in a 4.5mL polypropylene (PP) copolymer screw cap vial (polyvials).

The Ultrex nitric acid solution, packaged in a polypropylene screw cap vial, is to be used for preserving water samples prior to analysis. These polyvials will be used in conjunction with 250 mL acid rinsed natural high-density linear polyethylene bottles. Analyses are conducted after the water sample is taken with the preservative added. The components shall meet or exceed the following specifications:

a. The screw cap vials shall be 4.5mL capacity and made of polypropylene (PP) copolymer. Vials are to be filled with 2.0 mL of 7.5-7.7N Ultrex nitric acid solution and then capped. The measurement tolerance shall be 2.0 mL delivery +/- 0.2 mL. The polyvials shall be bottom filled to prevent a defective seal.

b. Each polyvial shall be clearly labeled with the mixture contents, lot number and the appropriate volume. The label shall be placed on the union of the cap and vial. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall be provided.

c. The vials shall be packaged in a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved styrofoam box which accommodates 24 vials. Each package shall be designed and sealed to guard against breakage and leakage.

d. Contamination levels of the following metal constituents shall be less than the report levels described below when prepared to the equivalent of 1 vial volume added to 250mL of deionized water.

Constituent Report Level Unit
Ag 0.005 ug/L
Al 2.2 ug/L
As 0.03 ug/L
B 1.0 ug/L
Ba 0.07 ug/L
Be 0.006 ug/L
Cd 0.016 ug/L
Co 0.02 ug/L
Cr 0.07 ug/L
Cu 0.80 ug/L
Fe 3.2 ug/L
Li 0.22 ug/L
K 0.004 mg/L
Mn 0.13 ug/L
Mo 0.014 ug/L
Ni 0.09 ug/L
Pb 0.025 ug/L
Se 0.03 ug/L
Sb 0.027 ug/L
Sr 0.2 ug/L
V 0.08 ug/L
Zn 1.4 ug/L
Ca 0.02 mg/L
Mg 0.011 mg/L
Na 0.06 mg/L
Silica 0.018 mg/L
Tl 0.01 ug/L
U 0.004 ug/L
W 0.01 ug/L

2.) 1 mL 4.5N sulfuric acid (Trace Metal grade) solution in a 4.5 mL polypropylene (PP) copolymer screw cap vial (polyvials).

The 4.5N sulfuric acid (Trace Metal grade) solution vials will be used in conjunction with both natural and amber, high density linear polyethylene bottles and amber glass Boston Round bottles. These solutions shall be packaged in polypropylene screw cap vials and will be used for preserving water samples prior to analyses. Analyses are conducted after the water sample is taken with the preservative added.

a. The polyvials shall be 4.5 mL capacity and made of polypropylene copolymer. These polyvials shall be filled with 1 mL 4.5N sulfuric acid (Trace Metal grade) solution and then capped. The measurement tolerance shall be 1 mL delivery +/-0.1 mL. The vials shall be bottom filled to prevent a defective seal.

b. Each vial shall be clearly labeled with the mixture contents, lot number and the appropriate volume. The label shall be placed on the vial. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall be provided.

c. The polyvials shall be packed in a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved styrofoam box which accommodates 24 vials. Each package shall be designed and sealed to guard against breakage and leakage. The packaging process shall not contribute significant impurities above the specifications in the table in section d.

d. Contamination levels of the following nutrient and carbon constituents shall be less than the report levels described below when prepared to the equivalent of one vial volume added to 125 mL deionized water.

Constituents Method Report Level
Dissolved organic carbon Hi-temp oxidation 0.23 mgL
N-Ammonia Colorimetric 0.02 mg/L
N-Ammonia + Organic Colorimetric 0.05 mg/L
N-Nitrite + Nitrate Colorimetric 0.02 mg/L
Phosphorus Colorimetric 0.004 mg/L

3.) 2 mL, 6N (1:1) Omni Trace Hydrochloric acid solution in a 4.5 mL polypropylene (PP) copolymer screw cap vial (polyvials).

The 6N Omni Trace Hydrochloric acid solution vials will be used in conjunction with clear glass Boston Round bottles. These solutions shall be packaged in polypropylene (PP) screw cap vials and will be used for preserving water samples prior to analyses. Analyses are conducted after the water sample is taken and with the preservative added.

a. The polyvials shall be 4.5 mL capacity and made of polypropylene copolymer. These polyvials shall be filled with 2 mL 6N (1:1) Omni Trace Hydrochloric acid solution and then capped. The measurement tolerance shall be 2 mL delivery +/- 0.1 mL. The vials shall be bottom filled to prevent a defective seal.

b. Each vial shall be clearly labeled with the mixture contents, lot number and the appropriate volume. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) or Safety Data Sheet (SDS) shall also be provided.

c. The polyvials shall be packed in a Department of Transportation (DOT) approved styrofoam box which accommodates 24 vials. Each package shall be designed and sealed to guard against breakage and leakage. The packaging process shall not contribute significant impurities above the specifications in the table in section d.

d. Contamination levels for mercury shall be less than the report levels described below when prepared to the equivalent of one vial volume added to 200mL deionized water.

Constituents Method Report Level
Mercury CVAF 0.8 µg/L

(End of Brand Name or Equal Specifications)

All business concerns who believe they can responsibly provide this type of product should submit the following information to the Contracting Officer:

1. The firm shall specify the brand name products that meets the specifications listed above along with product specification sheet and product brochure.

2. For equipment/supply requirements, business responses must include: (1) the place of manufacturing (i.e. address if supply/equipment is a domestic end product and include country of manufacture)

3. The firm shall specify that they are either a small business (8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, etc.) Or other than small business under the NAICS Code listed in the announcement.

4. The firm shall provide a point of contact name and e-mail information, and the firm¿s Cage Code, and SAM.gov UEI.

NOTE 3: All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary - the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for
any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Materials submitted to the Government for review will not be returned. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation. This is not a request for quotations. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses received under this announcement.

In order to be responsive to this Notice, a firm must provide the appropriate documentation for consideration by June 7, 2023 at 2:30 p.m. (MDT). Responses that do not comply with these procedures will not be considered.

Inquiries will only be accepted by e-mail to Lisa Williams at ldwilliams@usgs.gov