66--VOC Concentrator

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Entech Instruments Inc. (Entech), under the authority of FAR Part 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) to provide a 7200A Turnkey Preconcentrator. This procurement consists of procuring, delivery and installing of the Entech Instruments Inc. 7200A Turnkey Preconcentrator with SC Flow Path because this is the only known instrument that meets the required minimum specifications. The EPA requires an Accelerated Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentrator to replace the 7200 Accelerated VOC Concentrator (Model 7200 from Entech) that has reached the end of its service life. This instrument will facilitate the automated analysis of VOCs at low parts per trillion volume (pptv) concentrations in whole air samples collected in specially prepared canisters. This instrument will be used for such high-profile EPA ORD projects as the determination of ethylene oxide, acrolein, and TO-15A target VOCs in whole air samples collected in canisters. Entech's VOC Concentrator (Model 7200A) is the only type that will be compatible with the existing equipment. It will allow for continuation of current methodology and research data comparisons. Additionally, to deviate from the requirement would involve modifications to the current equipment and training. EPA does not have the additional resources to complete the modifications and training that would be required for a different brand of VOC Concentrator. The current system is set up for an Entech 7200A Accelerated VOC Concentrator; further monies, time, and effort would be required for modifications. The EPA does not have the additional resources to complete the modifications and training that would be required for a different brand VOC Concentrator. The minimum specifications are as follows: 1. Span C2 to C14 VOC compound range to allow analysis of TO-15A target compound list VOCs, 2. Provide method detection limits for the more non-polar TO-15A compounds on the order of 10-15 pptv or less, 3. Employ cycle time from injection to injection of samples at 25 minutes or less to increase sample throughput and reduce liquid nitrogen consumption which will both result in a cost savings to the laboratory, 4. Provide fast injection rates to facilitate Fast Gas chromatography'mass spectrometry (GC-MS) - again at a cost savings to the laboratory, 5. Incorporate Silonite-coated flow paths to maximize system inertness, 6. Employ digital valve control (without mass flow controllers) to allow accuracy of sample volumes as low as 10 cc, 7. Employ a state-of-the-art dry purge water management system utilizing combination sorbent traps, empty tube and split valve arrangement to increase sensitivity by minimizing interference from water, CO2 and other contaminants reaching the Gas Chromatography (GC) column, 8. Provide staging of the bakeout of traps to minimize introduction of contaminants onto GC column which will again provide better sensitivity, 9. Operate on SmartLab 2 platform to interface with other ancillary instruments (7016 canister autosampler towers), and 10. Interface seamlessly with Agilent GC-MS systems in use in the VOC lab. Refurbished or remanufactured instruments are not acceptable. This requirement will utilize FAR Parts 12 and 13, Commercial and Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business standard size of 1,000 employees. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. Notwithstanding, any firm that believes it is capable of meeting EPA's requirement may submit a capability statement which must address the outlined requirements above. Such documentation must be submitted to the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days of this announcement. A determination not to compete the proposed firm-fixed-price purchase based upon the responses received to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All questions should be directed to Amanda Toole who can be reached at toole.amanda@epa.gov. Responses to this notice must be submitted electronically via FedConnect Message Center (https://www.fedconnect.net). Telephone responses will not be honored.