Sole Source Waters Corporation TQS Micro UPLC Sys

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, issued a sole-source solicitation for the Waters Corporation TQS Micro UPLC LC/MS/MS System under solicitation number 68HE0126Q0014, aimed at enabling low-level environmental contaminant analysis, particularly for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), to support EPA programs under the Clean Water Act and Superfund. The contract requires delivery, installation, training, and warranty support for a complete turnkey LC/MS/MS system configured to meet EPA Methods 537, 533, and 1633, with performance standards including a minimum MRM scan rate of 550 scans/sec, dynamic range exceeding 6×10⁶, mass stability within 0.1 Da over 24 hours, and polarity switching no longer than 15 ms. The system must integrate with existing detectors and output data in LIMS-compatible formats. All deliverables are to be delivered to and installed at the EPA Region 1 New England Regional Laboratory at 11 Technology Drive, North Chelmsford, MA, with inspection and acceptance performed by the government upon successful calibration and compliance with all technical and operational specifications. The contract includes a one-year manufacturer warranty and a four-year extended warranty covering annual preventative maintenance, parts, labor, software updates, and travel. The solicitation, issued as a firm-fixed-price contract under FAR 13.106-2 and 52.212-2, follows a best value trade-off methodology where delivery capability and compliance with all requirements are equally weighted against price, and no award will be made based solely on lowest cost. The system must be delivered by August 31, 2024, under FOB Destination terms, with no specified packaging or marking standards beyond ensuring safe arrival. Key contractual clauses prohibit contracting with entities tied to Kaspersky Lab, restrict telecommunications and surveillance equipment, enforce ethical conduct, whistleblower protections, labor standards including equal opportunity and veteran hiring, and mandate compliance with Buy American and energy efficiency requirements. Reporting obligations include executive compensation, subcontract awards, and employment eligibility verification. The solicitation is unrestricted but acknowledges 8(a) eligibility, and no set-asides for small businesses or other socioeconomic categories were applied. Invoicing must be submitted through the EPA’s Invoice Processing Platform, and all submissions are due by June 11, 2026, via email