Six Continuous CH4/N2O/H2O Gas Analyzers

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12505B22Q0152 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-07. This solicitation is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees and the PSC is 6630.

The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following product(s):

001) Six Continuous CH4/N2O/H2O Gas Analyzers

Scope of Work:  

The USDA-ARS Soil Management Research Unit (SMRU) in Morris, MN is requesting quotes for six (6) continuous CH4/N2O/H2O gas analyzers.

Background:

The Morris ARS Soil Management Research Unit conducts research on improving environmental quality in agricultural landscapes. Nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) are powerful greenhouse gases associated with agricultural production activities. However, capturing accurate and precise temporal data has been hampered by the high cost of sensitive/accurate instruments/equipment that could be deployed across multiple sites. Recently, cutting-edge technology has evolved that will facilitate continuous measurements that can be coupled with existing ongoing eddy covariance measurement programs (e.g., LTAR). These analyzers would be integrated into site locations that are already using with eddy covariance for CO2 and H2O, and are routinely collecting soil, crop data. and weather data.

Technical Requirements:

Cutting-edge Methane / Nitrous Oxide / Water-Vapor [CH4/N2O/H2O] Analyzers for simultaneous and continuous long-term measurements of methane, nitrous oxide and water vapor concentrations in the surface layer air flow over agricultural landscapes. They must have the following features:

• Simultaneous measurements of N2O (nitrous oxide) and CH4 (methane) with eddy covariance option.
• Precision (1s, 1 sec / 10 sec / 100 sec):
  • N2O: 0.2 ppb / 0.1 ppb / 0.05 ppb
  • CH4: 1 ppb / 0.3 ppb / 0.2 ppb
  • H2O: 500 ppm / 200 ppm / 100 ppm
• Fast flow sampling rate of at least 10Hz.
• Maximum Drift (15 min. average, at STP, over 24 hrs):
  • N2O: <2 ppb
  • CH4: <5 ppb
• Linear measurement ranges:
  • N2O: Up to 4 ppm
  • CH4: Up to 100 ppm
  • H2O: Up to 30 000 ppm
• Operational ranges:
  • N2O: Up to 40 ppm
  • CH4: Up to 600 ppm
  • H2O: <99% RH, non-condensing
• Installation/technical/training support.
• Software for system control and fast data analysis, including documentation.
• Monitor, 19" LCD Display with DVI Port 19" LED LCD Display with 1280 x 1024 resolution, 100,000,000:1 contrast ratio, 5ms response time, DVI (HDCP) and VGA port, and adjustable display angle.
• User manual (digital or print) – detailed to support analyzers, eddy covariance software inclusive of interpolation documentation to account for any non- 10Hz data acquisition.
• Synchronization to vertical wind velocity (w) with N2O and CH4 concentration measurements.
• Analyzer pumps suitable for eddy covariance measurements (fast flow sample rate (10Hz)) with the analyzers including any necessary connections with exhaust silenced.

Travel:

To USDA-ARS, 803 Iowa Avenue, Morris, MN 56267 for installation and training.

Key Deliverables:

• Continuous CH4/N2O/H2O Gas Analyzers; Qty: 6
• Fast Flow; Qty: 6
• Analyzer Pumps; Qty: 6
• Exhaust Silencers; Qty: 6
• Monitor
• Shipping/Freight/Delivery/Transportation
• Installation
• Training
• Technical Support

Delivery:

Delivery, installation, and training at USDA-ARS, 803 Iowa Avenue, Morris, MN 56267; Delivery: within 365 days (or 1-year) of award.

The vendor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard Morris, MN and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract.

Evaluation Factors:

The basis for award will be Lowest Price, Technically acceptable. The Government intends to make a single firm-fixed price award based on the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) quote received. "LPTA" means the best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable quote with the lowest evaluated price. Pursuant to FAR 52.212-2, the criteria for evaluation are: (1) Price; (2) Technical Requirements. The lowest priced quote will be evaluated first; if NOT found acceptable, the next lowest priced quote will be evaluated, and so on until a technically acceptable quote is identified. The government will NOT review higher priced quotes if the lowest priced quote is determined to be technically acceptable. For quoted products to be considered technically acceptable, they must meet ALL of the technical requirements identified in this solicitation.

Submitting a Quote:

Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote in accordance with FAR 52.212-1. The applicable FAR clauses and provisions that apply to this acquisition are included with the attached quote submission form (SF1449). The Government anticipates award of one Firm Fixed Price Contract.

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their UEI# on their quote.

The submission and payment of invoices on the resulting contract will be made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). As such, contractors must be currently registered or register in IPP in order to be able to submit and receive payment on invoices for the resulting award.

Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF1449 (see attached) and provide completed FAR provisions. The quoted price(s) should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. This will be a tax-exempt purchase.

Failure to demonstrate compliance will constitute sufficient cause to reject a quote without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit a quote which will be put into considered for award.

Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email (NO calls with questions will be accepted) and are due by NO later than 5:00 PM CT on Wednesday, September 7, 2022. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation. No questions will be answered after this date unless determined to be in the best interest of the Government.

Only electronic submissions made via email will be accepted (NO phone calls or quotes submitted by USPS mail will be accepted). Please email all quotes in writing on the SF1449 with completed FAR provisions to aaron.dimeo@usda.gov by NO later than Monday, September 12, 2022 at 5:00 PM Central Time (CT).

Note: Be absolutely certain to reference the RFQ number “12505B22Q0152” and/or title of the solicitation “Six Continuous CH4/N2O/H2O Gas Analyzers” in the subject, body, and/or attachments on your quote submission email to ensure your submission can be located and attributed to this solicitation. Failure to do so could potentially result in your submission being deemed “unresponsive” and as a result your quote may NOT be put into consideration for award (as your quote may NOT be located when searching the recipients email to ensure all responses to the solicitation have been logged before making an award determination).