Micro-Oxymax Respirometer Expansion & Upgrading

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for the procurement of the expansion and upgrade of Micro-Oxymax Respirometers for the USDA ARS SEA AAO ACQ/PER PROP at their College Station, TX facility. The project aims to enhance respirometry capabilities and upgrade current systems for determining material degradation in various media within the Industrial Pilot Plant.

• Expansion and upgrade of Micro-Oxymax Respirometers.

• The work involves enhancing capabilities for determining material degradation.

• Period of Performance: May 12, 2026, to August 14, 2026.

• Delivery Date: August 14, 2026.

• Offer Due Date: May 08, 2026, at 1700 ET.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 by reference.

• NAICS Code: 334516

• Size Standard: 1,000 employees

• The solicitation number is 232SA2600540.

• Contact for solicitation information: Lynn Hults at 9124649723.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for commercial items to procure a Micro-Oxymax Respirometer Expansion and Upgrade. The acquisition is set-aside exclusively for small business concerns.

• Procurement of a Micro-Oxymax Respirometer Expansion and Upgrade.

• Compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) clauses and provisions.

• Specific clauses incorporated by reference and those checked as applicable are detailed, including those related to commercial products/services, whistleblower rights, trafficking in persons, system for award management, small business set-asides, labor standards, sustainable products, and Buy American provisions.

• AGAR clauses cover anti-discrimination and DEI compliance, delivery instructions, advance shipment notices, regulatory requirements for commodities and packaging, compensation for delivery delays, unitization, U.S. origin products, manufacturing practices, FDA food facility registration, and shipping/sealing requirements.

• Anticipated contract type: Firm-Fixed Price.

• The government intends to make one award.

• Quotes must include pricing for all items to be considered responsive.

• Evaluation will be based on Technical Approach, Price, and Past Performance.

• Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on the highest technically rated quotation with a fair and reasonable price and acceptable or neutral past performance. Tradeoffs will not be conducted.

• Quotes must hold prices firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt date.

• Questions are due by May 5, 2026, 4:00 PM Central Time, via email to lynn.hults@usda.gov.

• Total Small Business Set-Aside.

• Applicable NAICS Code: 334516.

• Small business size standard: 1,000 Employees.

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

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

• Shipping address: 800 Buchanan Street, Albany, CA 94710.

• The document includes detailed provisions regarding agency protests and the USDA Ombudsman Program.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the evaluation criteria for a brand name procurement, specifically for items from Columbus Instruments. It details how quotes will be assessed to determine the best value for the Government.

• The core requirement is the procurement of specific Micro-Oxymax units from Columbus Instruments, identified by their exact part numbers.

• Quoted products must be the exact brand name, make, and model number specified.

• Products must be new (not refurbished or remanufactured).

• Sufficient documentation (e.g., manufacturer quote, datasheet) must be provided to confirm the offered product matches the solicitation.

• Alternate, substitute, or "equal" products will not be considered.

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

• Pricing evaluation will focus on the base period.

• Price: Quotes will be evaluated for fairness and reasonableness. Failure to propose pricing for the base period and all line items may lead to exclusion.

• Technical Acceptability: Evaluated on the ability to provide new, OEM (or OEM-approved) commercial items matching the exact brand name, make, and model. Only technically acceptable quotations will be considered for award.

• Past Performance: Assessed using references, USDA contract history, CPARS, and other government sources. Ratings can be Acceptable, Neutral, or Unacceptable.

• Evaluation Method: The lowest priced quote will be evaluated for Technical Capability first. If unacceptable, the process continues with the next lowest priced quote until a technically acceptable quote with acceptable or neutral past performance is identified.

• Not specified in this document.

• FAR 52.212-2 is not applicable; evaluation is per FAR 12.203.

• This document focuses solely on evaluation criteria, not the full solicitation details.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed specifications for respirometer channels and upgrades required to expand and standardize existing systems at the Industrial Pilot Plant. It outlines the necessary components and configurations to meet increased research demand and ensure reproducibility.

• Recommended Instrument: Micro-Oxymax 20 Chamber System with Accessories.
• Compatibility Requirement: Must be compatible with the current Columbus Instruments Micro-Oxymax system, ensuring comparable measurements.
• State-of-the-Art: Must be the current model used in the research community.
• Specific Needs for Existing Systems:
  • 2024-0323-6 (USDA property tag PP0000115503): Expand to 20 additional channels; standardize to GLS-80 wide mouth flasks and lid assemblies with 3/8 tubing connections.
  • 2022-0277-4 (USDA property tag PP0000114647): Standardize to 3/8 tubing; standardize to GLS-80 wide mouth lid assemblies with 3/8 tubing connections; standardize pass-through tubing entry to a square 45-degree port.
  • 2024-0124-1 (USDA property tag PP0000115340): Standardize to 3/8 tubing; standardize to GLS-80 wide mouth flasks and lid assemblies with 3/8 tubing connections; standardize pass-through tubing entry to a square 45-degree port.

This document details the technical specifications and upgrade requirements for respirometer systems. Bidders should use these specifications to understand the exact hardware and configuration needed for the expansion and standardization project. It is crucial for vendors to ensure their proposed solutions meet all listed compatibility, standardization, and upgrade requirements for the specified existing systems.