Combustion Analyzer

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation invites offers for items detailed in Attachment 2 – Specifications. Concerns with the expertise and capabilities to provide these items are invited to submit offers. Alternate parts are authorized if they meet form, fit, and function requirements and conform to the approved configuration. All parts must be NEW and approved.

• Refer to Attachment 2 – Specifications for a complete list of requirements.

• All parts must be NEW and approved.

• Alternate parts must satisfy form, fit, and function requirements.

• The Government intends to make one award.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government.

• Delivery of all items is required within 60 days of award; early deliveries are accepted.

• F.O.B. Destination is requested for all deliverables.

• Evaluation Method: Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• Technical Approach: Must demonstrate a sound and compliant approach meeting all requirements. Offerors must provide documentation showing capability to meet schedule requirements (Attachment 2).

• Price: Must provide pricing for all line items as requested on SF-1449. Pricing will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness.

• Past Performance: May be evaluated using provided references, USDA contract history, CPARS, and other government sources. Ratings include Acceptable, Neutral, and Unacceptable.

• Submission Requirements:

  • Firm Fixed Price quotation on company letterhead detailing itemized supply description, price per item, and total.
  • Place of Manufacture is REQUIRED for all supply items.
  • Submit SF-1449.
  • Submit Sam.gov Unique Entity ID (UEI).
  • Submit Capability Statement and/or technical documentation/brochures demonstrating ability to meet or exceed ALL Performance Elements in the Specifications.

• Quote Due Date: May 11, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT.

• Questions Due Date: May 5, 2026, at 2:00 PM PT.

• Submission Method: Email to Elizabeth Calhoun at Elizabeth.Calhoun@usda.gov. Subject line must include solicitation title and number.

• The solicitation includes various FAR and AGAR clauses related to small business concerns, HUBZone, and other socio-economic programs. Specific set-asides are not explicitly detailed in this section but are indicated by the presence of relevant clauses.

• Attachments Referenced: Attachment 2 – Specifications, Attachment 3 – SF-1449.

• Key Clauses: Includes FAR clauses such as 52.212-4, 52.203-17, 52.222-50, 52.225-1, 52.225-3, 52.247-64, and AGAR clause 452.203-71 (Anti-Discrimination and DEI Compliance).

• Protest Information: Details the USDA Ombudsman Program for Agency Protests (OPAP) as an alternative to GAO protests.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for a "Combustion analyzer for carbon and nitrogen content in biological samples." The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the issuing agency and is tax-exempt from state and federal sales tax.

• One (1) Combustion analyzer for carbon and nitrogen content in biological samples.

• Delivery is required by September 30, 2026.

• The solicitation number is 232SA2600423.

• The offer due date is May 11, 2026, at 0900 PT.

• The North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code is 334516, with a size standard of 1,000.

• Bidders must complete blocks 12, 17, 23, 24, and 30.

• Invoices for USDA orders are processed through the Department of Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP) at https://www.ipp.gov.

• The acquisition is listed as "UNRESTRICTED OR SET ASIDE: 100.00 % FOR:" with no specific set-aside indicated in the provided fields.

• Standard Form 1449 is used for this solicitation.

• The issuing office is USDA ARS Acquisition and Property D, located in Beltsville, MD.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides the specifications for a combustion analyzer required for plant, soil, and microbial population sample analysis. It details the background, scope, objectives, and specific requirements for the equipment.

• Background: Measurement of terrestrial carbon and nitrogen is essential for understanding soil health, microbial activity, and nutrient cycling.
• Scope: The analyzer will replace a non-functional unit and has the potential for future integration with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer.
• Objectives: To quantify terrestrial carbon and nitrogen concentrations, assess changes in soil biochemistry, and improve plant production and carbon cycling models.
• Requirements:
  • Delivery within 60 days of order placement.
  • Delivery to BARC-West laboratory, Bldg. 001 Rm. 335.
  • Temporary access to Bldg. 001 for installation and training.

This attachment outlines the technical specifications and delivery requirements for a critical piece of scientific equipment. Bidders must ensure their proposed combustion analyzer meets these specifications and can be delivered and installed within the specified timeframe and location.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the equipment specifications for an opportunity.

• Replacement Equipment: The equipment is not intended as a direct replacement for the current Eltra unit used for soil and manure testing.
• Testing Methods: Specific ASTM or EPA method numbers are not being used for this instrument, as it is for research purposes with dynamic research questions.
• Concentration Range: Bidders should refer to the provided specifications for all minimum requirements regarding element concentration ranges. The specifications include:
  • C: up to 20 mg abs.
  • N: up to 15 mg abs.
  • S: up to 3 mg abs.
  • O*: up to 6 mg abs.
  • H*: up to 3 mg abs.
• Precision: The document outlines precision requirements for elemental performance (< 0.1 % for C, N, S, and O) and isotope ratio performance (e.g., δ13C: 0.1 ‰, δ15N: 0.15 ‰).

No impact on requirements, due dates, or submission rules was explicitly stated in this Q&A document. Bidders should ensure their proposed equipment meets the detailed specifications provided in response to the concentration and precision questions.