One (1) complete, modular, high-performance gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system for the detection and analysis of small molecules

1. Solicitation Number: W911QX25Q0036

1. Title: SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE FOR One (1) complete, modular, high-performance gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system for the detection and analysis of small molecules

1. Classification Code: 66

1. NAICS Code: 334516

1. Response Date: Five (5) business days after solicitation posting due via email to the Primary Point of Contact listed in the FedBizOpps.gov webpage for this combined synopsis-solicitation.

1. Description:

Disclaimer: This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice.  This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

NOTICE: THIS PROCUREMENT WILL BE CONDUCTED USING A TIERED EVALUATION OF OFFERS. THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES WILL BE UTILIZED:

THIS A SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE THAT WILL CONVERT TO FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION IF NO ACCEPTABLE OFFERS ARE RECEIVED FROM RESPONSIBLE, SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS. FOR OFFERS TO BE CONSIDERED ACCEPTABLE, THEY MUST MEET ALL TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN THE SOLICITATION AND BE COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF MARKET PRICES, QUALITY, AND DELIVERY. IF ONLY ONE ACCEPTABLE OFFER IS RECEIVED FROM A RESPONSIBLE, SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN, THE CONTRACTING OFFICER WILL CONSIDER AWARDING DIRECTLY TO THAT FIRM, PRIOR TO THE DISSOLUTION OF THE SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE. NO AMENDMENT WILL BE ISSUED TO CONVERT THE SOLICITATION TO FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION. IF THE SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE IS DISSOLVED, THE GOVERNMENT WILL AWARD TO THE LARGE BUSINESS WHOSE OFFER IS MOST ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE GOVERNMENT, BASED ON THE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION CRITERIA SET FORTH IN THIS SOLICITATION. ALL INTERESTED PARTIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND, REGARDLESS OF BUSINESS SIZE; HOWEVER, THEY MUST DO SO AT THEIR OWN RISK, TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THAT THIS IS A SMALL BUSINESS SET-ASIDE FIRST, AND FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION ONLY AFTER THE ABOVE CRITERIA IS NOT MET.

This acquisition is issued as a Request for Quote (RFQ).

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2025-01.

For purposes of this acquisition, the associated NAICS code is 334516.  The small business size standard is 1,000 employees.

Contract Line Item (CLIN) Structure: The following is a list of contract line item number(s) and items, quantities and units of measure, (including option(s), if applicable):

CLIN 0001 QUANTITY: ONE (1) UNIT OF ISSUE: EACH One (1) complete, modular, high-performance gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system.

Specifications/Requirement: The United States (U.S.) Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires one (1) complete, modular, high-performance gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) system for the detection and analysis of small molecules. The system shall meet the following salient characteristics:

• Shall be at least a single quadrupole GC-MS system.
• shall have an Electron Ionization (EI) as well as Chemical Ionization (CI) source. 
• shall be capable of running in a number of modes including EI, CI, full-scan, Single-ion monitoring, simultaneous full-scan/single-ion monitoring, and timed single-ion monitoring. 
• shall have a mass detection range of at least 1.2-1100 atomic mass units. 
• shall include a complete split/splitless injector module with programmable flow and pressure modes.
• shall include a GC-MS column appropriate for out-of-the box analysis of small organic molecules and metabolites. 
• shall include an attached autosampler which is capable with multiple injection modes and capable of holding at least 150 sample vials.
• The autosampler shall be compatible with standard liquid or gastight syringes, from at least 0.5 to 100 microliter volume.
• The included autosampler shall be compatible with 2 milliliter screw cap or crimped vials.  It shall be compatible with multiple washing solvents.  
• Shall be future field upgradable with an array of available optional detectors including flame ionization (FID), Electron Capture detection (ECD), thermal conductivity detector (TCD), and nitrogen-phosphorus detection (NPD).
• Shall include all required instrument control and analysis software.
• Analysis software shall include access to the Wiley Registry and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 2023 mass spectrometry (MS) libraries.
• The exchange and service of the detector modules as well as the injector system shall be user serviceable with minimal tools required.
• Shall include a sampling of ‘spare instrument parts’ to include ferrules, septa, sealing rings, seals, etc.
• Shall include onsite installation and user training. Contractor shall coordinate installation and training schedule with the TPOC onsite in Austin, TX.  Installation and training shall be completed within thirty (30) days of receipt of the instrument. 
• Instrument training shall include on-site instruction of ARL personnel on the use of the instrument hardware and software and include routine instrument maintenance procedures. On-site training shall be a minimum of one (1) day in length and shall include virtual instruction as needed to supplement on-site training.  
• Shall include a minimum of one (1) year warranty with all-inclusive service that includes any needed replacement parts, labor, and an annual scheduled preventative maintenance to be scheduled with the TPOC within twelve (12) months of the receipt of the instrument.

Delivery: Delivery is required by 8-10 weeks After Received Order (ARO). Delivery shall be made to University of Texas at Austin, 2506 Speedway Ave., NMS 3.254, Austin, TX 78712. Acceptance shall be performed at ARL South, Austin, TX 78712. The FOB point is Destination.

Clauses:

1. The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial, applies to this acquisition.  The following addenda have been attached to this provision:

In addition to the requirements set for the in FAR 52.212-1, all offers responding to this solicitation must provide their business size in relation to the NAICS code contained in this solicitation and shall identify any socioeconomic categories to which they belong.

1. Evaluation Criteria - The specific evaluation criteria to be used are as follows: 

In accordance with FAR 13.106-2(b)(3), comparative evaluation procedures will be utilized. Comparative evaluation is the comparison of all offers received in response to this solicitation against each other. An item-by-item comparison of each offer to one another will be performed to determine which offer provides the most benefit to the Government.  Award will be made to the offer that is most advantageous to the Government. The Government may award to the lowest priced offeror that meets the Government’s minimum requirements; however, the Government reserves the right to award to a higher priced offeror exceeding the minimum requirements if it is most advantageous to the Government. In order to be considered for award, an offer must meet the Government’s minimum technical requirement contained in this solicitation. The below evaluation factors will be utilized during evaluation (in no order of relative importance):

Price

Technical Capabilities/Specification

Past Performance

1. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3 (with its Alternate I), Offeror Representations with its offer

1. The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following addenda have been attached to this clause NONE

1.  The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items and the selected clauses listed in DFARS 212.301 Solicitation provisions and Contract Clauses for the Acquisition of Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.  The following additional FAR/DFARS clauses cited in this clause are applicable:

52.204-10, REPORTING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND FIRST-TIER SUBCONTRACT AWARDS (OCT 2018)

52.204-27, PROHIBITION ON A BYTEDANCE COVERED APPLICATION (JUN 2023)

52.209-6, PROTECTING THE GOVERNMENT’ INTEREST WHEN SUBCONTRACTING WITH CONTRACTORS DEBARRED, SUSPENDED, OR PROPOSED FOR DEBARMENT (OCT 2015)

52.219-28, POST-AWARD SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM REREPRESENTATION (MAY 2020)

52.222-3, CONVICT LABOR (JUN 2003)

52.222-19 (DEVIATION 2020-O0019), CHILD LABOR--COOPERATION WITH AUTHORITIES AND REMEDIES (JAN 2020)

52.222-21, PROHIBITION OF SEGREGATED FACILITIES (APR 2015)

52.222-26, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (SEP 2016)

52.222-35, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS (OCT 2015)

52.222-36, AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FOR WORKERS WITH DISABILITIES (JUL 2014)

52.222-37, EMPLOYMENT REPORTS ON SPECIAL DISABLED VETERANS, VETERANS OF THE VIETNAM ERA, AND OTHER ELIGIBLE VETERANS (FEB 2016)

52.222-50, COMBATING TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS (OCT 2020)

52.222-54 EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY VERIFICATION (NOV 2021)

52.223-18, ENCOURAGING CONTRACTOR POLICIES TO BAN TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING (AUG 2011)

52.225-13, RESTRICTIONS ON CERTAIN FOREIGN PURCHASES (JUN 2008)

52.232-33, PAYMENT BY ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER—CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (OCT 2018)

52.232-36, PAYMENT BY THIRD PARTY (MAY 2014)

1. The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions apply (full text of all FAR/DFARS clauses that contain fill-in information, as well as all local clauses, can be found in the attached Provisions and Clauses Full-Text document):

52.204-7, SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (OCT 2018)

52.204-13, SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT MAINTENANCE (OCT 2018)

52.204-16 COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE REPORTING (JUL 2016)

52.204-18, COMMERCIAL AND GOVERNMENT ENTITY CODE MAINTENANCE (AUG 2020)I

52.204-20, PREDECESSOR OF OFFEROR (AUG 2020)

52.204-24, REPRESENTATION REGARDING CERTAIN TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SERVICES OR EQUIPMENT (NOV 2021)

52.204-26, COVERED TELECOMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT OR SERVICES-REPRESENTATION (OCT 2020)

52.232-39, UNEFORCEABILITY OF UNAUTHORIZED OBLIGATIONS (JUN 2013)

52.232-40, PROVIDING ACCELERATED PAYMENTS TO SMALL BUSINESS SUBCONTRACTORS (DEC 2013)

52.252-1, PROVISIONS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

52.252-2, CLAUSES INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (FEB 1998)

252.203-7000, REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO COMPENSATION OF FORMER DOD OFFICIALS (SEP 2011)

252.204-7000, DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION (OCT 2016) 252.204-7012, SAFEGUARDING COVERED DEFENSE INFORMATION AND CYBER INCIDENT REPORTING (OCT 2016)

252.204-7003, CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT PERSONNEL WORK PRODUCT (APR 1992)

252.211-7003, ITEM IDENTIFICATION AND VALUATION (JUN 2013)

252.225-7048, EXPORT-CONTROLLED ITEMS (JUN 2013)
252.225-7001, BUY AMERICAN AND BALANCE OF PAYMENTS PROGRAM—BASIC (FEB 2024)

252.225-7021, TRADE AGREEMENTS—BASIC (FEB 2024)

252.225-7055, REPRESENTATION REGARDING BUSINESS OPERATIONS WITH THE MADURO REGIME (MAY 2022)

252.225-7056, PROHIBITION REGARDING BUSINESS OPERATIONS WITH THE MADURO REGIME (JAN 2023)

252.225-7059, PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PROCUREMENTS FORM THE XINJIANG UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION-REPRESENTATION (JUN 2023)

252.225-7060, PROHIBITION ON CERTAIN PROCUREMENTS FROM THE XINJIANG UYGHUR AUTONOMOUS REGION (JUN 2023)

252.232-7003, ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION OF PAYMENT REQUESTS AND RECEIVING REPORTS (JUN 2012)

252.232-7006, WIDE AREA WORKFLOW PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS (DEC 2018)

252.232-7010, LEVIES ON CONTRACT PAYMENTS (DEC 2006)

ACC – APG POINT OF CONTACT

TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT

TYPE OF CONTRACT

GOV INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE

PAYMENT OFFICE (BANKCARD)

TAX EXEMPTION CERT. (ARL)

PAYMENT INSTRUCTIONS

RECEIVING ROOM – ALC

DFARS COMMERCIAL CLAUSES

ADELPHI CONTR. DIVISION URL

PAYMENT TERMS

EXCEPTIONS IN PROPOSAL

AWARD OF CONTRACT

FOREIGN NATIONALS PERFORMING

1. This acquisition is rated under the Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) as N/A.

1. The following notes apply to this announcement In accordance with FAR 32.003, contract financing cannot be provided for this acquisition

Place of Performance: ARL-South

                                           University of Texas at Austin

 2506 Speedway Ave.

 NMS 3.254

 Austin, TX 78712

Set Aside:

1. Offers are due five (5) business days after solicitation posting, by 11:59 AM EST, at adaleta.dougherty2.civ@army.mil

1. For information regarding this solicitation, please contact adaleta.dougherty2.civ@army.mil, Phone: 520-672-9586.