_P/USDA ARS MWA, 1815 N. University St, Peoria IL61604

38 -- RESPIROMETER SOL 5114-7-0348 DUE 012796 POC Jerry L. King, 309-681-6611 The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area, has a requirement to purchase (one each) Micro-Oxymax O2 & CO2 Respirometer with accessories for the USDA-ARS-MWA, Peoria, IL. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commerical items prepared in accordance with the format outlined in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information in this notice. This announcement consititutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number is 5114-7-3048. This solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotation. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect as a Request for Quotation. This solicitation is set-aside for small business. Applicable SIC code is 3829 and size standard is 500 employees. CLIN 0001, ( 1 Each) Micro-Oxymax O2 & CO2 Respirometer, Columbus Instruments International Model No. 7395(20)-D-34 or equal. CLIN 0002, (2 Each), 10 Chamber Condensing Air Drier, Columbus Instruments International Model No. 7395-4-D-34 or equal. CLIN 0003, (1 Each), CO2 Extended Range (0-15%) Sensor, Columbus Instruments International Model No. 7395-82-D-34 or equal. CLIN 0004, (30 Each), 250 ML Flask W/3 Fittings, Columbus Instruments International Model No. 7395-113-D-34 or equal. CLIN 0005, (2 Each), 1/8" Plastic Tubing (50 Ft Lengths), Columbus Instruments International Model No. 7395-30-D-34 or equal; and CLIN 0006, (1 Each), CO2/CH4 Gase Calibration Unit, Columbus International Model No. 7395-3C-D-33 or equal. The salient characteristics that an approved or equal must meet are as follows: Respirometer must be able to determine the biodegradability of organic substrates in soils, compost, or aqueous solutions in a laboratory setting under controlled termperature and sample gas phase composition. Equipment must be able to operate in a fully automated mode (i.e. without operator intervention), making periodic measurements at operator schedule time intervals of sample vessel headspace carbon dioxide and oxygen concentrations (simultaneous determination of CO2 and O2 levels in sample chamber), along with an initial determination vessel headspace volume. The equipment must provide options for headspace volume. The equipment must provide options for headspace gas replacement at periodic intervals (operator selectable) from atmosphere or gas tank, with full retention of sample moisture content. Data from carbon dioxide and oxygen sensor must be logged automatically to an electronically accessible storage device (computer or data logger). System must be capable of providing user-assisted calibration of gas sensors and real-time display of sample chamber gas composition changes (CO2 and O2 evolution/comsumption rates). Equipment component dismensions must not exceed 1 m by 0.5m by 0.5m (h,w,d). Minimum Sensor Specifications: Carbon Dioxide Sensor: Range 0-15% (Vol/Vol); Sensitivity (for 1 liter sample chamber, 1 h accumulation interval), microliter/hour. Oxygen Sensor: 19-21% (Vol/Vol); Sensitivity (for 1 liter sample chamber, 1 h accumulation interval), 20 microliter/hour. Minimum Sample Chamber Specifications: Independent sample chambers: 20; Sample chamber volume: 250 to 1000 ml; Sample chamber headspace (exchangeable or active volume) determination precision: 2%. FOB Destination to Peoria, IL. Delivery to be within 90 days after receipt of order to USDA-ARS-MWA, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604. FAR 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors -- Commercial, FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items, FAR 52.213-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, and FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. Quotations will be evaluated on price and price related factors. Multiple awards will not be made. Awards will be made all or none. Offerors providing an or equal respirometer must provide Descriptive Data for the equipment they are offering. Offers are to be received by 4:00 P.M., Central Time, 27 January 1997 at USDA-ARS-MWA, Contracting Office, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604. The POC for this Request for Quotation is Jerry L. King, (309)-681-6611. (0358)

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