Single Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph – Mass Spectrometer

This is a Sources Sought Notice Only. A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria outlined below. In addition to looking for interested and capable contractors for the support of a possible set-aside, the USDA is looking for industry feedback on the possibility of Domestic sources for the requested equipment. This is not a Solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal. It does not constitute any commitment by the Government. No award will result from this notice. The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified sources. Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision. The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Horticultural Research Laboratory, 2001 S. Rock Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34945 is conducting market research for the following requirement.

Single Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph – Mass Spectrometer

Quantity:  1.

Instrument must meet or exceed the following specifications:

Detector:  Minimum linear range of 0 – 100 microamps (μA)

Ion source types:  Programmable to 350°C

Acquisition rate:  During SIM, more than 200 scans/second.  During FS, more than 60 scans/second

Pumping:  More than 250 liters/second, minimum mechanical rotary vane of 3 m3/hour oil pump, minimum turbomolecular pump capacity of 60 liters/second

Mass range:  Minimum of 1.2 – 1,100 u with unit mass resolution

Mass filter and mass analyzer:  Needs to have some protection in place to minimize quadrupole from burning and for noise reduction.  Minimum quadrupole scanning of 16,000 units/second.

Carrier gas:  Should be able to be operated with either helium or hydrogen.

Gas capabilities:  Digital flow control on a sample-by-sample basis.  Gases include ammonia, methane, isobutane or mixtures of these with carbon dioxide presets. Capacity for pulsed positive ion negative ion chemical ionization to allow for switching on a scan-to-scan basis between positive and negative ionization mode.

Electrical:  Can be adjustable up to 150 electronvolts depending on the ion source.  Has a maximum of 125 volts.

Emission current:  Up to 350 μA

Transfer line temperature:  Up to 400°C

Mass resolution and stability:  Has capacity for automatic tuning down to 0.4 units as well as manual tuning.  Better than 0.1 units/48 hours/delta temperature.

Auto sampler:  Integrated 3 axis autosampler capable of advanced sample handling and ability to integrate liquid injection, headspace, and SPME (Solid Phase Micro Extraction) and SPME arrow sample processing and injection. Capable of automatic and unattended injection tool changes. Selectable from 0.1uL/s to 2000 uL/s injection speed and 0.1 to 10,000 uL injection volume. With washing station and 3 trays for 2 mL vials. Compatible with trays to accommodate 4608 well plates, 840 place 0.5 or 0.7 mL vials, 648 place 2 mL vials, and 240 place 10 mL or 20 mL vials.

SPME arrow kit: Automated SPME and SPME arrow expansion kit compatible with the Auto sampler for automation of all SPME and SPME arrow sample preparation steps (i.e., Fiber preconditioning, adsorption, desorption and fiber washes). Includes tray to hold 20 mL vials.

Headspace Tool: Headspace tool compatible with the autosampler to accommodate a 2.5 mL syringe with a 65 mm needle length.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516.  Size standards in number of employees are 1,000.

Companies who have experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a quotation, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice, as well as the place of manufacturing of any equipment which might be offered under a solicitation for this requirement later. Companies should also indicate their business size status for the applicable NAICS code. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and would not hinder the mission objective of the ARS research location. Interested contractors are instructed to provide only the data requested.

Responses must be submitted electronically by email only to the attention of Contract Specialist, Monte Jordan at monte.jordan@usda.gov by August 17, 2026, not later than 3:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time (CDT). Reference Single Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph – Mass Spectrometer in subject line. Telephone inquiries will NOT be accepted.