Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source - Thermo Niton XRFs

SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY OF FUNDING: The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) intends to award a sole source to Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments, Inc., 2 Radcliff Rd., Tewksbury, MA 01876 for four (4) brand name Thermo Scientific's Niton handheld XRF model XL3t 700SGOLDD devices. Under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements; the government believes Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments, is the sole manufacturer, seller, and authorized service provider of the equipment. This notice is NOT a request for competitive quotes; however, any firm that believes it can supply the equipment that meets the following specifications and requirements may give written notice to the Contract Specialist via email at ggrayson@cpsc.gov, by 2 PM EST on August 8, 2022. No phone calls please. Specifications/Requirements: The XRF analyzer must be new and a model currently in production. Refurbished or demonstrator instruments are not acceptable. The XRF analyzer must be robust and durable for daily use in both a laboratory and field setting and must be suitable for continuous local and/or long-distance transport. Instrument must operate with a 50 kV X-ray tube, and must not employ a radioactive isotope source. X-ray detector with energy resolution equal to or better than 185 eV full width at half maximum of the Mn K? line. Instrument must contain a Silicon Drift Detector (SDD) capable of effectively measuring elements with atomic number at least as low as phosphorus (P) without the use of vacuum or helium purge. Should have the ability to process over 180,000 detector events per second. Instrument must include a built-in camera to provide close up view of analysis area. Instrument must be able to achieve a minimum 3mm small spot size with the capability of a larger spot size for sample data acquisition. Instrument must include a minimum of two (2) Li-ion batteries, each capable of powering the XRF analyzer at least 4 hrs. without external power and include a battery charger and accessories needed to recharge batteries; AC adapter. Instrument must include a portable fully shielded test stand and a clip-on backscatter shield. The stand should collapse easily without tools to allow hand-carrying into the field. The stand must allow tool free setup, attachment and removal of analyzer. Instrument must include preprogrammed software modes that will accurately quantitate lead and other elements in a variety of homogeneous matrices such as metal, plastic, and glass and a mode for user-definable calibrations and analyses. The analyzer must include modes for quantitative determination of concentrations in percent (%) and parts per million (ppm) of target elements in plastic, metal, and glass. The preprogrammed software modes must include a specific - test all mode (or equivalent) for sample analysis. The - test all mode (or equivalent) will automatically select the mode for the user when the user is uncertain of the appropriate mode to choose. The - test all mode (or equivalent) will determine the sample matrix (i.e. metal, plastic, painted metal, PVC plastic) and apply the appropriate algorithms for elemental detection and quantification. Instrument must be capable of detecting Pb, Sb, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Se, Br, Cl in paint layers on painted consumer products. The analyzer must be able to detect < 80 parts per million (ppm) Pb on 20-micron thick paint layer. The analyzer must be able to detect and measure Pb on mass per unit area basis using the National Institute and Standards Technology (NIST) Standard Reference Material 2569 Level 2 and Level 3 Lead Paint Films. Instrument must be capable of quantifying and detecting Pb, Sb, As, Ba, Cd, Cr, Hg, Se, Br, Cl in metal, plastic, glass, rubber, textiles. The analyzer must be able to detect < 20 ppm Pb in plastics. The analyzer must be able to detect and accurately measure Pb on mass fraction basis in plastic certified reference materials that contain low and high levels of Pb such as the European Reference Material ERM-EC680k, ERM-EC681k and the NIST Standard Reference Material 2861 PVC plastic. The analyzer must be able to detect < 70 ppm Pb in metal alloys such as zinc, tin, copper, steel. Instrument must be able to detect and accurately measure Pb on mass fraction basis in glass certified reference materials that contain high levels of Pb such as the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) 2-3 Glass Standard. The instrument display must include a touch screen display which allows user input and reading of results (within seconds) at the point of use. The analyzer must contain user-friendly, graphical interface software compatible with Microsoft Windows 10 or later. For data handling, the analyzer must include means for assigning sample numbers to test data, store, transfer, and retrieve reports and sample numbers securely including transfer of data to Windows PC. Instrument must operate with a stand-alone laptop computer and include a PC connection cable. Instrument must include calibration check standards (a minimum of one metal alloy standard and one plastic standard material) for calibration check. Instrument must have password protection capabilities in the software for added security for appropriate personnel use. Instrument must include a carrying case to safely transport XRF analyzer. Maximum weight of analyzer with battery must not exceed 4 lbs. The contractor must provide a Certificate of Calibration with each analyzer purchased. The Certificate of Calibration must contain all the measurement readings of reference materials the vendor used for calibration verification. The contractor must provide a radiation safety certificate with the instrument stating that the instrument meets all federal and state radiation safety requirements. The contractor must provide a User Manual with the analyzer. The contractor must be ready to provide a quote for the cost of repair and/or calibration of the XRF analyzer. In addition, a loaner XRF analyzer from the contractor must be made available to CPSC free of charge during any repair incident and must be the similar make/model of the CPSC XRF analyzer being repaired. The contractor must be able to provide local service support. (Optional item) The contractor must provide a minimum - day on-site training that includes: operation of unit, routine maintenance, basic application, and safety. On-site training may require a maximum of sixteen (16) separate locations throughout the continental United States. If exercised, this training will be scheduled and delivered within one year of contract award. The contractor must provide a minimum two (2) year warranty for the instrument that covers all parts, labor, and travel. The government reserves the option to negotiate an extended warranty plan. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Interested parties may submit any information for consideration by the Government to ggrayson@cpsc.gov. Responses must be received no later than 2:00 p.m. EST on 8 August 2022. No phone calls please.