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Sources Sought Notice Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, brand name or equal. Sources Sought #1105614-SS This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, pr... Sources Sought Notice Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, brand name or equal. Sources Sought #1105614-SS This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. Background: Statement of Work Title: MINIATURE THERMAL INFRARED CAMERA Background: The item required is a Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, brand name or equal. This instrument will measure the wavelength of chemical compounds that can be used to identify the specific chemical components and detect changes associated with different chemical bonds and functional groups. This technique will be used with the unit’s horizontal attenuated total reflectance (HATR) flow cell combined with a mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector to determine how organic molecules sorb differently to various soil minerals. This chemical information is critical to understand how organic matter forms and remains stable in soils and is essential for soil health in agricultural systems. The FTIR instrument will also enable the characterization of organic matter from different crops, including cover crops. This information will deepen our understanding of how management that includes cover cropping impacts soil organic matter and soil health. The FTIR spectrometer must include a mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector capable of measuring 11,700-400 cm-1 because the multiple high-resolution scans needed per minute are only achievable with the MCT detector. A standard deuterated triglycine sulfate (DGTS) detector is not able to perform rapid scans at a high enough resolution required to measure reaction kinetics because the scans do not have enough sensitivity to identify spectral shifts indicative of chemical changes at the appropriate time scale. The instrument must also include a beam splitter capable of reaching the range 7800-350 cm-1 required for these experiments to identify peaks associated with organic molecules typically found in natural organic matter and the chemical bonding environment between mineral surfaces and organic molecules. These experiments also require the horizontal attenuated total reflectance (HATR) flow cell system that can measure liquid samples. This flow cell is the central method for determining the sorption of organic compounds onto mineral surfaces. The HATR flow cell system should include a zinc selenide crystal for the correct spectral range and acid/base resistance. The instrument must also include a single-bounce diamond ATR used to characterize more general plant and soil samples as part of the analysis that characterizes the properties of the starting material before the kinetic experiments. The ATR also enables the quantification of a variety of other materials for collaborative research within the agency and partners. The instrument must also be capable of measuring in the Far-IR, Mid-IR, Near-IR, and Visible spectra. The FTIR spectrometer must have a signal-to-noise ratio of 55,000:1 guaranteed with a 4 min scan to ensure quality data collection that is free from background noise and other confounding signals. The wavelength precision must be better than 0.0008 cm-1, wavelength accuracy better than 0.005 cm-1, and optical resolution at mid-IR less than 0.09 cm-1 to ensure quality data collection and experimental replicability. This range of detection limits is needed to capture small differences in chemical composition for the sorption experiments. Technical requirements: The FTIR spectrometer must have a signal-to-noise ratio of 55,000:1 guaranteed with a 4 min scan, wavelength precision must be better than 0.0008 cm-1, wavelength accuracy better than 0.005 cm-1, and optical resolution at mid-IR less than 0.09 cm-1. The instrument must also be capable of measuring in the Far-IR, Mid-IR, Near-IR, and Visible spectra. One of each of the following is required, all brand name or equal. IS50 ADVANCED GOLD NO BSPLTR. Nicolet iS50 FTIR Advanced Flex Gold Spectrometer X700 GE ON KBR ON AXIS BEAMSPLITTER. Ge-on-KBr On-Axis Beamsplitter (7800-350 cm-1) IS50 MCT-B WIDE RANGE W/KRS-5 WINDOW. Liquid N2 Cool Wide Range MCT-B Detector wKRS-5 window (11,700-400cm-1) PURGE PNEUMATICS L Standard Purge System TRAINING VOUCHER: OMNIC ESSENTIALS OMNIC Operations e-Learning Training Course Voucher KIT IS50 MAIN ENGLISH LANGUAGE Nicolet iS50 English Language Kit CORD/PWR NAM 2.5M 10A NM5-Power Cord North American 120v, 3 Conductor HATR TROUGH-FLAT W-45 DEG ZNSE iS10-iS50 HATR Combine Trough and Flat Plate System with 45º ZnSe Crystals HATR FLOW-THROUGH CELL ZNSE 45 DEGREE HATR Flow-Through Cell, ZnSe, 45º Testing and Verification The FTIR spectrometer must have a signal to noise ratio of 55,000:1 guaranteed with a 4 min scan, wavelength precision must be better than 0.0008 cm-1, wavelength accuracy better than 0.005 cm-1, and optical resolution at mid-IR less than 0.09 cm-1. Data Requirements The contractor must provide the manuals for the FTIR spectrometer. Place of performance: 10300 Baltimore Ave., Bldg. 001, Rm. 124 Beltsville, MD 20705 The Contractor Shall: This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources including any Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses. Please state if you are a large business or a small business according to the NAICS code listed in this Sources Sought. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response defines how it can specifically meet the specifications for the items requested. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, a Combined Synopsis solicitation notice may be published on Sam.gov. Your response should define how you can specifically meet the specifications for item(s) requested. Please state Place of Manufacture for item submitted. Identify if you are a large business or a small business with NACIS 334516. Original Point of Contact: All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by July 24, 2023, by 9:00 AM EST, the specified due date and time to be considered. Email responses to Elizabeth Wilson at Elizabeth.Wilson2@usda.gov. Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.