Description: The Southern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S.D.A., is seeking bids for solid material desorption unit as an accessory to a CTC autosampler on a gas chromatograph. Research Objectives: The research seeks to identify and quantify volatile chemicals that constitute flavors or off-flavors in foods and food ingredients. Volatile compounds are collected on magnetic stir-bars that are coated with an adsorbent. The coated stir-bars are placed in tubes and heated while being purged with inert gas. The gas containing the trapped compounds is introduced into a GC for analytical identification and quantification of chemical compounds. Direct desorption of compounds from solid material is also possible. Technical Specifications Required: 1) Thermal desorption unit. This must interface with a CTC autosampler mounted on an Agilent 6890 GC. It must also be able to accommodate the Twister stirbars and be compatible with software controlling the GC and the autosampler. 2) Programmed Temperator Vaporization Inlet. A large volume inlet (also called a cooled injection system) is also needed to accommodate the amount of gas injected during an analysis. This inlet must be compatible with a CTC autosampler and Agilent 6890 GC and be controlled by Agilent Chemstation software. 3) Autosampler conversion. An existing CTC autosampler must be upgraded to accommodate new hardware. All systems and components shall be provided with a 1 year warranty from the date of installation. The warranty shall cover all system parts against manufacturing defect or failure during normal service covering service labor and travel. ALL RESPONSIBLE SOURCES MAY SUBMIT A BID FOR CONSIDERATION to USDA, ARS, MSA, SRRC, New Orleans, La This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): www.arnet.gov/far/. FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial, Far 52.212-2 Evaluation Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, FAR 52.212.4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders - Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. Offers are to include a 15 calendar day acceptance period. All bids are due by 2:00 (CST), August 7, 2007, at the USDA, ARS, MSA, SRRC, Acquisition Office, 1100 Robert E. Lee Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124 or e-mail: [email protected]

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