Bruker Scientific MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Region Acquisitions Division-Kansas City office intends to award, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Bruker Scientific LLC, 40 Manning Road, Billerica, MA 01821, for one (1) Multi-Purpose Analyzer II (MPA II) Fourier Transform Near Infrared (FT-NIR) Spectrometer and accessories for the National Marine Fisheries Service in Panama City, FL. Sole Source Justification FT-NIR spectroscopy is used in various industries (e.g., pharmaceuticals, agricultural, petrochemical) to ensure quality control standards are maintained. The Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer is unique in that it has a cube-corner mirror, which provides greater stability for the alignment of the instrument over time; thus, providing repeatability and stability over time. The standardization of technique in terms of both the interferometer and machine is critical for transferability of data from instrument-to-instrument or location-to-location. Staff at the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC), Panama City Laboratory and Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) have developed methodologies and calibration models on existing Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometers. These methodologies utilize their Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectroscopy for producing spectra that will be used as an alternative, rapid method for providing age estimates for federally managed species. Recently, NOAA Fisheries Science Board awarded funding for a 5-year Strategic Initiative proposal that was submitted by Dr. Thomas Helser (AFSC) and several staff from other NOAA Fisheries Science Centers to investigate the potential for implementing this technology across all five NOAA Fisheries Science Centers. One of the requirements for this collaboration is that we use the same equipment and software to develop these methods; therefore, this instrument is being purchased as part of the NOAA Fisheries Strategic Initiative to meet this requirement. Two Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometers were purchased approximately 2 years ago and are currently being utilized by NOAA Fisheries - one at the SEFSC, Panama City Laboratory and one at the AFSC. Since the purchase of these two MPA II FT-NIR spectrometers, we have been working directly with the Bruker Scientific FT-NIR application scientists to develop our methodologies so that scientific integrity will be maintained across all NOAA Fisheries laboratories that provide age estimates for stock assessments. Jason Erickson, Bruker Scientific FT-NIR application scientist, has been working closely with staff from the SEFSC, Panama City Lab, AFSC, and the other four NOAA Fisheries Science Centers to build FT-NIR spectroscopy calibration models that will be used as an alternative method for ageing fish. The quality and reliability of the MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer currently utilized at the SEFSC, Panama City Lab and the AFSC have proven to be exceptional. To transfer these calibration models to another company's instrument or software could result in compromising data for federally managed species and would also require additional training time as well as the purchase of another software package. With the purchase of a new Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR instrument, any calibration models currently built on existing Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectroscopy instruments will allow for these models to be easily and efficiently transferred between instruments and between locations, which is essential to the success of the Strategic Initiative project. The Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer is an upgraded model of the standard FTNIR spectrometer in that the MPA II has a 3-channel configuration to allow for 1) transmission measurements of semi/solid samples, 2) reflectance measurements of solids; and 3) liquid samples in transmission. The Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer is better suited for laboratories involved in production and routine ageing since it also allows for a sample wheel/sample changer to be added so that 30+ samples can be scanned uninterrupted. The MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer will allow for other biological samples (e.g., eye lenses, vertebrae, reproductive tissue, liquids, etc.) to also be scanned; therefore, it is not limited to only scanning solid biological structures such as otoliths. The SEFSC, Panama City Laboratory is collaborating with the AFSC to develop the methodologies to use FT-NIR spectroscopy for producing spectra that will be used for ageing federally-managed species from the U.S. Gulf of Mexico and waters in the U.S. South Atlantic. One of the requirements for this collaboration is that we use the same equipment and software to develop these methods. Bruker Scientific LLC is the sole company to manufacture, sell, and support the required spectrometer. Since this is a relatively new area of research, it is necessary to have dedicated application expertise from Bruker Scientific to provide continued support for this instrument. Bruker Scientific's staff have made the development of using FT-NIR spectroscopy for ageing fish one of their top priorities. They have made their staff available to ensure that the calibration models are properly and timely developed. The calibration models that have already been developed at the SEFSC, Panama City Laboratory and at the AFSC have been built on a Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer. The dedication of Bruker Scientific's FT-NIR application scientists in the research and development phase of the applicability of using FT-NIR spectroscopy in estimating fish age has been above and beyond expectation. The Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer has the potential to provide a timely, rapid, and less labor intensive method for providing age estimates to stock assessments, and perhaps even more important, a more objective method for providing these age estimates. The Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometer uses the same proprietary software for data acquisition and analysis as that currently used at the SEFSC, Panama City Laboratory and the AFSC and has been used to develop calibration models for species from the Gulf of Mexico (e.g., red snapper). The same software and user interface for the same instruments reduces not only costs, but also reduces staff training and operation time needed for production processing. Data and model products, such as calibration models used for production sample age estimation, are directly and seamlessly transferable between all Bruker Scientific MPA II FT-NIR spectrometers. This is critical to maintain the same quality control and prediction accuracy for age data estimation in the laboratory. This would not be possible with an instrument from another manufacturer. Data products from these instruments will be used in fish stock assessments to support a multi-billion-dollar industry in the Southeast United States and using instruments from different manufacturers increases the likelihood of errors, and therefore, an overall risk to the management of marine resources as well as the economy. Special Notice This is the only notice to be posted. This special notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the needed spectrometer and be in compliance with the above justification may submit substantiating documentation in writing within the open period of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to shelley.smith@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. If no documentation is received, award will be made directly to Bruker Scientific LLC. DOC, Eastern Region Acquisition Division requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505.