Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for laboratory equipment and related services. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is seeking to procure an IsoTOC Analyzer and components, IsoTOC Training, an Ion Gas Chromatograph and components, an IsoPrime IRMS, lyticOS Software License, consumables, and freight shipping.

• IsoTOC Analyzer and components: Requires adherence to attached salient characteristics. Delivery within 60 days after receipt of order.

• IsoTOC Training: Requires adherence to attached salient characteristics.

• Ion Gas Chromatograph and components: Requires adherence to attached salient characteristics. Delivery within 60 days after receipt of order.

• IsoPrime IRMS: Requires adherence to attached salient characteristics. Delivery within 60 days after receipt of order.

• lyticOS Software License: Requires adherence to attached salient characteristics. Delivery by 07/01/2026. This is a perpetual license for IT and Telecom Business Application Software.

• Consumables Kit: Requires adherence to attached salient characteristics. Delivery within 60 days after receipt of order.

• Freight Shipping: Delivery by 08/01/2026, with a period of performance from 07/01/2026 to 08/01/2026.

• The document is a Request for Quotation, not an order.

• Delivery dates are specified for individual items, with some having a "Multiple" delivery date.

• The period of performance for freight shipping is specified.

• Quotations must be furnished to the issuing office by 05/26/2026 at 0900 ED.

• The government will award a contract to the responsible offeror whose quotation conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered.

• Evaluation factors include Technical Compliance and Price. The award will be made to the lowest priced quotation that receives an "acceptable" rating in Technical Compliance.

• Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

• The RFQ is not marked as a Small Business Set-Aside.

• The document references several attachments for salient characteristics and other details, including FISMA - IRMS, 508 IRMS, and A04 Salient Characteristics - IRMS.

• Contract clauses and solicitation provisions are incorporated by reference and full text.

• Payment requests must be submitted electronically through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center requires an integrated isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS) system to analyze dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration and stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen, as well as stable isotope ratios of methane and alkanes. This is to support projects characterizing dissolved and gaseous organics from gas hydrate systems, petroleum systems, and living ecosystems.

• IRMS System: Must measure up to mass 96 amu, include an electron ionization gas source, electromagnet, universal triple collector, and hydrogen collector. It must interface with up to five peripheral inlet systems and have a continuous flow interface.

• Peripherals: Requires a high-temperature catalytic combustion unit for DOC analysis and a gas chromatograph with a combustion/pyrolysis furnace for alkane analysis.

• Capabilities: The system must measure stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen, and quantify DOC concentration and total dissolved/aqueous bound nitrogen.

• IRMS Precision: Specific precision requirements for 8¹³C, 8¹⁵N, and 8D are detailed.

• TOC/TNb Analyzer: Must measure DOC concentration to a precision of <2% RSD and include a high sensitivity CO2 infrared detector.

• GC System: Must exhibit peak broadening no greater than 1% and have peak area repeatability <1%RSD and retention time repeatability <0.008%.

• The vendor will deliver, install, and certify the system at the USGS Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center.

• IRMS: Must be bench-top, no larger than 600W x 500D x 650H, use single-phase power, and have a fail-safe high vacuum system.

• TOC/TNb Analyzer: Must not use chemical or UV oxidation techniques and must integrate directly with the IRMS.

• GC System: Must be compatible with commercially available columns and inlets, support programmable temperature vaporization and cold on column inlets, and have a "heart-cutting" eluent diversion mechanism.

• Software: Must be compatible with Windows 11 Pro, provide hardware control, real-time data viewing, report generation, automated quality checks, and intuitive data search functions.

• Training: Vendor will provide training for software use, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting.

• Consumables: The IRMS must come with 1 year of instrument consumables.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Accessibility Requirements Statement per Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act. It details specific technical requirements for hardware, software, and support documentation to ensure compliance with accessibility standards.

• Section 508 Standards: Covers requirements for ICT procurement, development, maintenance, and usage.
• Hardware Requirements (Chapter 4): Includes specifications for closed functionality, speech-output enablement, volume control, display screen characters, biometrics, standard connections, and operable parts.
• Software Requirements (Chapter 5): Details WCAG 2.0 conformance (Level A and AA), with specific exceptions for assistive technology and non-web software.
• Functional Performance Criteria (Chapter 3): Outlines requirements for ICT to be operable without vision, with limited vision, without perception of color, without hearing, with limited hearing, without speech, with limited manipulation, with limited reach and strength, and with limited language, cognitive, and learning abilities.
• Support Documentation and Services (Chapter 6): Requires documentation and services to conform to accessibility standards.
• Interoperability: Addresses platform accessibility features and application conformance to user preferences and alternative interfaces.
• Instructions to Offerors: Requires bidders to provide an Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) using the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) Version 2.1 or later. The ACR must detail how each offered ICT item meets applicable Section 508 requirements, with explanations for any non-conformance or N/A responses. Bidders must also describe their approach to universal design and plans for features that do not fully conform.
• Acceptance Criteria: The government reserves the right to test ICT items to validate Section 508 conformance claims. Offerors may be required to remediate non-conforming items.

Bidders must understand these Section 508 accessibility requirements to ensure their proposed ICT solutions comply. The requirement to submit a VPAT/ACR is a critical part of the proposal submission. Failure to meet these accessibility standards or adequately document conformance may impact award decisions and acceptance of delivered items.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "FISMA 18-Point Checklist – IT Security Guidelines," outlines specific IT security requirements that are incorporated into the Statement of Work/Performance Work Statement for this opportunity. It details various security-related tasks and obligations for contractors.

• Background Investigations: Requirement for contractors to perform background investigations.
• Non-disclosure Agreements: Mandates signing of NDAs and system security agreements.
• Privacy Act: Addresses contractor access to and handling of personal information protected by the Privacy Act.
• Training: Requires completion of DOI's end-user computer security awareness training.
• Personnel Changes: Contractor must notify COR of employee reassignments or departures.
• Contractor Location: Services generally cannot be performed outside the United States without permission.
• Applicable Standards: Adherence to DOI System Development Life Cycle (SDLC), NIST SP 800-64, and DOI SDLC Security Integration Guide.
• Asset Valuation-Security Categorization: Requirements for determining security categorization based on mission impact, data sensitivity, etc.
• Property Rights: Outlines government rights in software acquired.
• Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V): Specifies government or contractor responsibility for IV&V.
• Certification & Accreditation (C&A): Details C&A requirements for applications and systems.
• Internet Logon Banner: Requirement for a USGS-approved logon banner.
• Incident Reporting: Contractor must report computer security incidents.
• Quality Control: Software/hardware must be free of malicious code.
• Self-Assessment: Annual self-assessment requirement.
• Vulnerability Analysis: Outlines government or contractor responsibility for vulnerability analysis.
• Security Controls: Compliance with NIST SP 800-53, Rev.1, FIPS 199, and NIST SP 800-60.
• Contingency Plan: Requirement for IT Support Services to submit a contingency plan.

This checklist is crucial for bidders as it defines the IT security obligations and compliance standards that will be part of the contract. Understanding these requirements is essential for accurately estimating costs, developing technical approaches, and ensuring compliance if awarded the contract.