The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) seeks information on commercial vendors that are capable of providing a High Resolution Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer (HR-ICP-MS) instrument which is required for resolved ICP-MS determinations of both total elemental content and isotopic composition. The diversity of sample types encountered from the wide range of projects at NIST demands a technically advanced and flexible HR-ICP-MS. Low-, medium-, and high-resolution modes of operation, allowing for 300, 4000, and 10,000 mass resolution measurements are required. The HR-ICP-MS must handle sample concentrations ranging from ultra-trace, parts per quadrillion levels, to levels in excess of several parts per million. Measurement linearity of > 1012 and detection sensitivity of > 1 x 106 cps/ppb is also required. Samples may be analyzed in solid, liquid or gaseous form requiring novel sample introduction techniques (i.e laser ablation, gas chromatography) that place even further demands on the flexibility required of the HR-ICP-MS instrument. The complexities of the samples to be measured require high resolution in order to resolve isobaric interferences, but also require that low resolution, quick scan methods be available to rapidly screen elemental composition and possible interfering species. After results of this market research are obtained and analyzed and specifications are developed for the HR-ICP-MS that can meet NIST's minimum requirements, NIST may conduct a competitive procurement and subsequently award a Purchase Order. If at least two qualified small businesses are identified during this market research stage, then any competitive procurement that resulted would be conducted as a small business set-aside.

NIST has a need for a HR-ICP-MS that would meet the following requirements:

HR-ICP-MS:
• Shall be of BE (electromagnetic/electrostatic) sector geometry, with a retardation lens for high abundance sensitivity (< 25 ppm)
• Shall include a standard peltier cooled sample introduction system with integrated autosampler, peristaltic pump, and HEPA filtered clean enclosure
• Shall also include an additional low flow sample introduction system
• Shall be capable of optimizing torch in three directions (X, Y, Z) under full computer control
• Shall include a minimum of four programmable/digital external mass flow controllers
• Shall be equipped with specific water chiller(s) to cool the interface, magnet and turbo pumps
• Shall demonstrate a linear dynamic range of at least 1012
• Shall be capable of signal integration times as low as 1 ms
• Shall be capable of better than 2.5 % RSD for 10 minute short term stability and better than 5 % RSD in 4 hour for long term stability and independent of resolution mode
• Shall be capable of measuring a mass range of 2 - 260 at full accelerating voltage
• Shall be capable of scanning a mass range from m/z 7 to m/z 240 in less than 150 ms
• Shall have capabilities of measuring analytes in low resolution (R = 300), medium resolution (R = 4000), and high resolution (R = 10000). Instrument must be capable of flat-top peaks in low and medium resolution modes and must be able to achieve the following sensitivities in the three resolution settings: R = 300: count rates > 1 x 10e6 cps/ppb In, R = 4000: count rates > 1 x 10e5 cps/ppb In, R = 10000: count rates > 1.5 x 10e4 cps/ppb In.
• Shall be capable of an abundance sensitivity of < 30 ppm with SEM in low resolution mode and < 7 ppm with SEM-Faraday detector combination.
• Shall be capable of fully automated switching between resolution modes
• Shall be capable of software controlled tuning of all major ICP parameters and mass calibration
• Shall be capable of automatic software controlled mass calibration and calibration of detector/detectors
• Shall consist of a dual mode electron multiplier, enabling detection in both analog and ion counting mode and an additional Faraday detector to extend the dynamic range
• Shall include a multiple-stage differential pumping system capable of achieving a vacuum of < 1x10e-7 mbar
• Shall have a pumping system at the interface to be outfitted with a pump capable of significantly larger pumping capacity, allowing for a 20-fold increase in sensitivity for very low abundance isotopes.
• Shall be capable of isotope ratio precision of < 0.3% RSD
• Shall be capable of mass accuracy of > 10 ppb
• Shall be capable of a wide of scan (magnetic and high voltage) modes including the ability to perform rapid scans across the detector during a transient signal
• Shall be capable of coupling third party laser ablation, liquid chromatography and gas chromatography instruments to the HR-ICP-MS
• Shall be capable of performing triggered data acquisitions from third party laser ablation, liquid chromatography and gas chromatography instruments
• Shall include an option for purchasing a service contract or extended warranty
Electronics:
• Shall be versatile with open schematics or a strong service/support record for ease of use and service
• Instrument control shall be enabled, to allow remote real time operation for trouble shooting, using diagnostics, or running pre-specified routines
• All instrument parameters as well as all PCB LED diagnostic indicators shall be computer settable and/or computer readable to facilitate complete computer-driven diagnostics as well as storage of this information for QA/QC procedures
Environmental control:
• Shall encompass the dimensions (H x W x L) 60" x 36" x 100" or less
• Shall exhibit high thermal stability (Temperature 18 - 24 ºC, Humidity 50 - 60 %)
HR-ICP-MS control software:
• Shall be fully integrated and capable of controlling the functions of the HR-ICP-MS and associated accessories
• Shall be capable of software controlled tuning of all major ICP parameters and mass calibration
• Shall be capable of software controlled mass calibration and calibration of detector/detectors
• Shall be capable of real time monitoring of an unlimited number of transient signals
Data analysis software:
• Shall include quantitative data analysis software using the most common data analysis algorithms.
• Shall be user-programmable
• Shall be capable of chromatographic data analysis including peak integration, calibration, and quantification capabilities

NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large, foreign, and small businesses. Small businesses are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort, 334516, as those domestic sources having 500 employees or less. Please include your company's size classification and socio-economic status in any response to this notice.

Companies that manufacture High Resolution Sector Field Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometers are requested to email a detailed report describing their abilities to [email protected] no later than the response date for this sources sought notice. The report should include achievable specifications and any other information relevant to your product or capabilities. Also, the following information is requested to be provided as part of the response to this sources sought notice: 1. Name of the company that manufactures the system components for which specifications are provided. 2. Name of company(ies) that are authorized to sell the system components, their addresses, and a point of contact for the company (name, phone number, fax number and email address). 3. Indication of number of days, after receipt of order that is typical for delivery of such systems. 4. Indication of whether each instrument for which specifications are sent to [email protected] are currently on one or more GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts and, if so, the GSA FSS contract number(s). 5. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research.

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