66--Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA)

The contract with solicitation number 140G0126Q0089, issued by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Office of Acquisition Grants under the Department of the Interior, pertains to the purchase and delivery of a Thermal Gravimetric Analyzer (TGA) and associated equipment to be delivered to Reston, Virginia. This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 334516 and mandates delivery within 56 days after receipt of order, with the anticipated award date around April 17, 2026. The solicitation calls for several line items including the thermal analysis system, cooling mini chiller, dryer gas, software packages, crucibles, spare parts, and calibration/certification services. The contract specifies FOB Destination delivery terms and requires shipments to comply with either contract-specific packaging and marking standards or carrier requirements, although no detailed packaging preservation or bar-coding standards are outlined. Award of the contract will be based on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation methodology, where offers must meet at least an "Acceptable" rating under technical compliance for the thermal gravimetric analyzer and related products, with price serving as the determinative factor thereafter. Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and submit required FAR-mandated representations and certifications, including those related to small business status and supply chain security requirements, such as prohibitions on telecommunications equipment from certain Chinese entities and applications from ByteDance. The contract incorporates key FAR clauses addressing equal opportunity, labor standards, trafficking in persons, whistleblower rights, and executive compensation reporting, reflecting compliance with government mandates on ethics, security, and worker protections. Invoicing is to be conducted electronically through the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), and Rafael Anderson is the designated government point of contact for contract administration. Inspection and acceptance will occur at the destination facility in Reston, VA, with the government exercising final acceptance based on adherence to the solicitation’s performance specifications. Though several contract provisions emphasize transparency, supply chain risk mitigation, and subcontractor fairness, this acquisition does not include provisions for key personnel security clearances, contract options, or organizational conflict of interest clauses. Overall, the contract is structured to procure specialized laboratory equipment under stringent federal regulatory requirements, with an emphasis on efficient acquisition from small businesses and maintaining supply chain integrity.