Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY AND YOUR RESPONSE IS NOT AN OFFER. THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION DOES NOT COMMIT THE GOVERNMENT TO PAY ANY COSTS INCURRED IN PREPARATION OF ANY SUBMISSION TO THIS MARKET SURVEY OR TO CONTRACT FOR SERVICES. 1. LOCATION - Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) sites as specified in the attached Performance Work Statement. 2. OBJECTIVE - The Naval Research Laboratory is searching for potential sources capable of providing a quadrupole, Orbitrap, and linear ion trap mass analysis combined in one instrument. To meet the demand for metabolomics/proteomics mass spectrometry projects within the Center, a robust, fast, and, versatile LC-MS/MS system that can detect and fragment ions in the attamole (10-18) range in a variety of different ways is required. Simultaneous, <1ppm mass accuracy, >450,000 resolving power, attamole sensitivity is needed to detect small molecules and peptides in mixed microbial communities and to distinguish signal from noise in these complex sample matrices. The instrument must enable us to work with even the most challenging marine microbiome and human microbiome samples-samples of low abundance, high complexity, and difficult-to-analyze chemical structure-to identify more compounds faster, quantify them more accurately, and elucidate molecular composition more thoroughly than any single fragmentation mass spectrometer. The Liquid Chromatography (LC) instrument must be able to be operated by the same software as the mass spectrometer to avoid unexpected sample processing interruptions due to communication errors. The system must contain a high pressure mixing binary pump, thermostatic compartment for samples and column (adiabatic and Isothermal temperature control on column). The system must have backpressure capability of 1500 Bar(22,00 psi) for the entire system at a flow rate up to 5mL/min and entire flow path has to be fully biocompatible (pH range 2-12, buffer and/or chloride concentration up to 1M). Training must be provided with the purchase of the instrument and maintenance agreements available. It is anticipated that a Request for Proposals will be issued early in 2017. Answers to this RFI will be key in shaping certain aspects of the requirement. 3. CONTRACT TYPE: The Government is contemplating a solicitation of proposals for award of a firm-fixed priced contract. 4. COMPETITION STRATEGY - Currently contemplating full and open competition unless the results from this RFI support a set-aside of any kind. Federal multiple award schedule holders and/or small businesses are encouraged to reply. 5. LENGTH OF AWARD - From date of award through delivery 6. MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS - Attached to this posting are the draft minimum technical requirements for the effort. The Government is currently in the planning stages for this procurement and may continue to modify the language within the requirement as necessary. The attached document does not represent a final document. 7. RESPONSE FORMAT - The Government requires that interested parties, at a minimum, supply the following information, in a Capability Statement using the following format: I. CONTACT INFORMATION: a) Name of Company b) Telephone Number, Fax Number, Address, and e-mail address c) DUNS Number, business size, CAGE code, and number of employees d) NAICS code and PSC/FSC code of proposed item/solution II. COMMERCIALITY OF PROPOSED ITEM a) Whether service(s) offered/proposed is a commercial service and is customarily used by the general public or non-government entities for the other than Government purposes b) Whether the service has been sold, leased, or licensed to the general public, and if so, identify one or more such sales, leases, or licenses to document the commerciality of the item. III. DESCRIPTION OF RELEVANT EXPERIENCE and CAPABILITY a) Provide a description of how proposed item will meet or exceed EACH of the requirements b) Provide a description of experience providing similar items to those outlined in the Statement of Work. c). Provide a list of any Navy, DoD, federal, state, or local contracts supported, where similar services were provided, during the past 36 months. Provide a brief description of the type of work/research performed. IV. ROUGH ORDER OF MAGNITUDE (ROM) V. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: In addition to the above information, input from industry detailing best practices in the following areas is welcome, as this may assist the Government in obtaining necessary products utilizing low-risk, high-efficiency procedures: a) Methods of quantifying and qualifying specifications required if a request for proposal (RFP) is issued. b) Proposal evaluation factors. c) Quality assurance monitoring of contractor performance. ------------------------- 52.215-3 -- Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes. Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997) (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: market research and procurement planning. (End of Provision)