Maintenance plan and extended warranty for iCAP PRO XP Rad/Duo Spectrometer and CETAC ASXpress Plus system

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for an extended warranty service for specific laboratory equipment (ICP and CETAC ASXpress) used by the USDA, ARS, Pulse Quality Laboratory in Fargo, NC. The requirement includes a base year and up to four option years.

• On-site corrective maintenance visits.

• Factory-certified, OEM replacement parts, labor, and travel.

• Target of three business day on-site response time.

• Annual preventive maintenance visits.

• Standard preventive maintenance kit.

• The attached Performance of Work Statement (PWS) and Wage Determination provide detailed requirements.

• The anticipated award will consist of one (1) one-year base period and four (4) one-year option periods, for a total duration not exceeding five (5) years.

• The Government intends to make one award.

• Questions Deadline: April 30, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Savings Time via email to shelley.steen@usda.gov.

• Offer Acceptance Period: Offers must be held firm for 90 calendar days from the receipt date.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the offeror representing the best value to the Government, based on Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

  • Price: Evaluated based on the total price for the base and all option periods, including potential extension under FAR 52.217-8. Pricing must be submitted for all line items.
  • Technical Acceptability: Rated "acceptable" or "unacceptable" based on the offeror's ability to meet all requirements as detailed in the PWS, Section 3.0.
  • Past Performance: Evaluated as "Acceptable," "Neutral," or "Unacceptable" using provided references, CPARS, and other government sources.

• Only the lowest priced offer will be evaluated for Technical Acceptability and Past Performance. If unacceptable, the next lowest priced offer will be evaluated.

• Service Contract Labor Standards will apply. The place of performance is Fargo, ND.

• Various FAR and AGAR clauses are incorporated, including those related to small business concerns, Buy American, and DEI compliance.

• Supporting documentation includes Attachment 1 (Performance Work Statement) and Attachment 2 (SCA Wage Determination).

• Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and United States Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) Clauses and Provisions are applicable.

• The document lists numerous FAR clauses (e.g., 52.212-4, 52.203-17, 52.222-50) and AGAR clauses (e.g., 452.203-71, 452.204-70).

• Information on filing agency protests with the USDA Ombudsman Program is provided.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (Wage Determination No.: 2015-4969, Revision No.: 30) for the Service Contract Act, effective December 3, 2025. It lists the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations in North Dakota, County of Cass.

• Occupational Codes and Titles: A comprehensive list of job titles across various sectors (e.g., Administrative Support, Automotive, Health Occupations, Information Technology, Maintenance, Protective Services).
• Wage Rates: The minimum hourly wage rate for each listed occupation.
• Fringe Benefits: Specifies that "Fringe Benefits Required Follow the Occupational Listing." It also details Health & Welfare benefits ($5.55 per hour or $222.00 per week) and notes Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (minimum wage adjustments).
• Notes on Specific Occupations: Includes details for Computer Employees (applicability of the determination and exemption criteria) and Air Traffic Controllers/Weather Observers (night and Sunday pay differentials).
• Hazardous Pay Differential: Outlines 8% and 4% differentials for positions involving ordnance and explosives.
• Uniform Allowance: Details requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms.
• Conformance Process: Explains the procedure for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed.

This document is crucial for bidders as it establishes the minimum labor costs for contract performance. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages and benefits meet or exceed these requirements to be compliant. It directly impacts the cost proposal and overall feasibility of bidding on opportunities requiring services in the specified geographic area.

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

To provide an extended warranty for a new iCAP PRO XP Rad/Duo ICP-OES and autosampler system, ensuring continued operational performance and timely technical support for the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Pulse Quality Laboratory in Fargo, North Dakota.

• Service Coverage: Extended warranty for a base year plus four optional years.

• Maintenance: Includes on-site corrective maintenance, annual preventive maintenance with a standard kit, and high-priority telephone technical support.

• Response Time: Target of three business days for on-site corrective maintenance visits.

• Parts & Labor: Covers required factory-certified replacement parts, labor, and travel costs.

• Technician Requirements: Awardee must dispatch certified service engineers or technicians qualified for the specific iCAP PRO XP Rad/Duo ICP-OES and CETAC ASXpress Plus autosampler system.

• Instrument Evaluation: Service visits will include a full system check, and instruments will be brought into company-defined specifications.

• Preventive Maintenance: One annual visit, including a full system check and PM kit, due within 9 months of contract award.

• Corrective Maintenance: Response within 3 hours of a service call, with a target of three business days for on-site repair. Instruments must be returned to company-defined operating parameters.

• Quality: Use of OEM-equivalent parts and assemblies; instruments must meet predetermined performance specifications for mass accuracy, sensitivity, and other variables after service.

• Period: Base year plus four optional years (duration to be defined by contract award).

• Place: USDA ARS research facility, 1616 Albrecht Blvd, Fargo, ND.

• Travel: All travel costs are the responsibility of the awardee.

• Access: Government will provide access to the facility Monday-Friday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm, excluding federal holidays. Service personnel will be accompanied by ARS staff.

• Security: Service engineers must be accompanied by an ARS staff member while within the ARS Biosciences Research Laboratory.