Request for Information - 600 MHz Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

DISCLAIMER:

This notice is issued solely for market research, planning, and information-gathering purposes in accordance with FAR Part 10 (Market Research). It is not a competitive solicitation, request for proposals (RFP), request for quotations (RFQ), invitation for bids (IFB), or commitment by the issuing entity to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of the request for information (RFI) or otherwise pay for the information requested and responses will be treated as information only and not as a proposal. The Government will not reimburse for responses to this RFI. Responses to this notice will be used to:

• Assess the availability of commercial products or services that meet or can be modified to meet the requirement.
• Determine the capabilities of interested sources, including small businesses (e.g., small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone, 8(a), women-owned small business).
• Inform the acquisition strategy, including whether a set-aside, partial set-aside, or full-and-open competition is appropriate, or if other than full-and-open competition may be justified.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is NAICS Code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing; and the Product and Service Code is 6630 – Chemical Analysis Instruments.

BACKGROUND:

The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, serves as the Department of War’s lead laboratory for medical chemical defense research. USAMRICD conducts critical research, including the development of medical countermeasures, diagnostics, and analytical methods to support the Warfighter against chemical threats. The Institute currently operates a 600 MHz Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer as a key component of its analytical capabilities. This system is used for structural elucidation of small molecules, verification of chemical agent exposures, analysis of reaction products, and related biochemical research. Due to the age of the existing unit, increasing maintenance challenges, evolving mission requirements, and the need for enhanced performance, reliability, and advanced capabilities, USAMRICD is seeking information on modern replacement systems.

OBJECTIVE:

This RFI seeks market research information from industry vendors on commercially available 600 MHz NMR spectrometer systems suitable for replacing the existing unit. The goal is to identify qualified sources capable of supplying, installing, commissioning, and supporting a state-of-the-art system that meets or exceeds current and anticipated future research needs in a secure, regulated laboratory environment.

REQUESTED INFORMATION:

If your organization has the potential capacity, inventory and expertise to provide the required supplies and services, please provide a white paper (limited to 25 pages) with sufficient information to ensure that respondents can successfully perform to and fulfill all requirements. Links to information online can be referenced in the white paper and are not part of the white paper page limit however, please ensure the links work properly and the white paper clearly identifies the information the Government needs to review. The following shall be addressed in white paper submissions:

1. Company Information:

• Organization name, address, email address, website (if available), telephone number.
• Business size and type of ownership (e.g., large business, small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned, HUBZone, 8(a), women-owned, etc.).
• UEI number (from SAM.gov) and CAGE code.

2. Capability Details:

• A description of past performance providing the same or similar requirements. Please provide the previous Government contract number (if applicable) and who received the supplies and services (Government, research facility or educational facility).
• Any limitations, proprietary aspects, or unique features that may impact the performance and completion of this requirement.
• Provide a brief description demonstrating your organization’s ability and knowledge to manufacture and deliver the required supplies and services.

3. Minimum Essential Characteristics: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance System

Government Minimum Essential Characteristics (MECs)

USAMRICD has the following salient and performance characteristics on an NMR system:

• 600 MHz NMR System to include the magnet, console, and all other necessary components.
• Minimum 24 slot autosampler with appropriate spinners.
• Room Temperature (RT) Probe, preferably a pentaprobe.
• Cryoprobe with necessary components.
• Liquid Chiller for Cryo-Bay.
• Battery Backup capable of running the system for thirty (30) minutes.
• Full and complete installation of new NMR and all components to manufacturer’s specifications and performance standards.

Please provide documentation that demonstrates these characteristics are available. If a characteristic is not available, please identify it in your response to the RFI.

Request for Vendor Capabilities

• What additional components are available for this system to increase sensitivity, throughput, and/or capability?
• Based on the instrument MECs listed above, please provide performance and material characteristics including, but not limited to size, resolution, signal to noise for RT and cold probes, line shape, magnet drift rate, cryogen loss rate, 5-gauss line measurements.
• Can the vendor supply the necessary cryogens for cooling and charging the magnet, liquid nitrogen and liquid helium?
• Can this system perform multiple peak suppression? If yes, please provide additional information about capabilities.
• Is the software capable of running CRAFT NMR and is the software compatible with MNova?
• Does the warranty include software and computer updates. If so, what is the frequency?
• Can the vendor provide an upfront extended warranty for five (5) years? Ten (10) years?
• Can the vendor provide an upfront extended service contract for five (5) years? Ten (10) years?
• What are the electrical and installation specifications for facility tie-in for NMR and all additional components (chiller, magnet, computer, battery backup).

Removal of Existing Equipment

            Is the following service available:

• Decommissioning of current Agilent 600 MHz NMR system with cold probe.
• Removal and disposal of existing Agilent 600 MHz NMR system with cold probe.

Government/Vendor Site Visit(s) for Independent Sample Testing

• Will the vendor approve an onsite visit for three Government personnel to formulate a custom NMR sample and conduct performance testing on the NMR system recommended above? If so, will the Government incur costs?
  1. 1. For example: Run a kinetic 1H NMR at a fixed time interval and in between 1HHhasdfH NMR acquisitions, run 31P NMR experiments.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Submission Deadline – Refer to the applicable SAM.gov posting for the exact deadline.

All questions and responses under this RFI must be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist at Benjamin.t.marcus2.civ@health.mil; and the Contracting Officer at Erin.j.maddox.civ@health.mil

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged. No feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions (except for a confirmation email acknowledging receipt). Late responses may not be acknowledged. Responses will be reviewed for planning purposes only. Proprietary or confidential information should be clearly marked.