Solicitation Number: 12405B21Q0134

Notice Type: 
Sources Sought 

Synopsis: 
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, NC is requesting information regarding the capability to provide a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry system.

The USDA, ARS, The Food Science and Market Quality & Handling Research Unit requires  a  LECO GC-HRT+ 4D system (High Resolution Time of Flight with GCxGC Mass Spectrometry system) with current Agilent GC, Split/Splitless injector, Inert Flowpath, and liquid nitrogen (LN2) cooled GCxGC thermal modulator meeting the attached SOW/ specifications.
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PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: 
This instrument is necessary to ensure continuity of research as the analytical platform for metabolite profiling studies in pickled vegetables, peanut, and sweet potato, and is required to complete the mission critical studies planned for two NP306 project plans. High mass accuracy and software to enable the identification of unknown compounds is a critical element in the new system, since ~80% of the compounds detected with our existing instrument have not been previously identified. This additional feature is required to advance our current capabilities to identify the full complement of small molecules that impact food quality and health-promoting potential.

Leco Corporation is the sole manufacturer of fully integrated, high resolution comprehensive two-dimensional gas-chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometers with full mass range scan rates and software sufficient for accurate deconvolution of mass spectra for four-dimensional separation of components, necessary for simultaneously profiling thousands of compounds in complex biological matrices. This analytical instrument is unique in its capabilities and operation and serves as a replacement to our existing equipment that we have spent the last 15 years developing expertise in its use. 

The only known vendor for this system and specifications is Leco Corporation.

This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine interested vendors prior to issuing a solicitation. Pricing information provided is for estimation purposes only. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide. If you are an interested vendor, please provide the following information: 1) Business name and point of contact; 2) DUNS number and CAGE code; 3) business size; and 4) a brief statement of Capability (no more than three pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above. Include any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope. Electronic responses are preferred. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses are due no later than 12:00 p.m., Central Time, on Friday, August 20, 2021, to the attention of Shalunda Mix, Contract Specialist, via e-mail to [email protected].

Contracting Office Address:
USDA-ARS, SEA
141 Experiment Station Road
P. O. Box 225
Stoneville, MS 38776

Primary Point of Contact:

Shalunda Mix
Contract Specialist
[email protected]