Project Information

Bid Title

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES)

Issuing Agency

State of Vermont

Location

Vermont

Published Date

Mar 25, 2026

Closing Date

Apr 6, 2026

Government Level

State & Local

Status

Closed

Original Source

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Bid Documents

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Project Description

TITLE	QUESTIONS DUE	ANSWERS POSTED	DUE DATE	NO POSTING AFTER
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES)	03/30/2026 03:00PM		04/06/2026 04:30PM

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Department of Buildings and General Services

Office of Purchasing & Contracting

133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000

802-828-2211 phone |802-828-2222 fax

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing

Agency of Administration

SEALED BID

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission

Spectrometer (ICP-OES)

ISSUE DATE

QUESTIONS DUE

RFP RESPONSES DUE BY

March 23, 2026

March 30, 2026 – 3:00 PM (EST)

April 6, 2026 – 4:30 PM (EST)

PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED

WITH THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE POSTED AT:

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php

THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED

INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE

ABOVE WEB PAGE FOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS

ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SOLICITATION.

STATE CONTACT:

E-MAIL:

FAX:

Deb LaRose

Deborah.larose@vermont.gov

(802) 828-2222

1. OVERVIEW:

1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Office of Purchasing & Contracting

(hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that can provide Inductively

Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), chiller, autosampler, computer and software for the

Metals Laboratory.

1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Any contract(s) arising from this solicitation will be for a period of 12 MONTHS.

1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this solicitation are to be addressed in writing to

the State Contact listed on the front page of this solicitation. Actual or attempted contact with any other individual

from the State concerning this solicitation is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.

1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this solicitation or wishing

to comment on any requirement of the solicitation must submit specific questions in writing no later than the

deadline for question indicated on the first page of this solicitation. Questions may be e-mailed to the point of

contact on the front page of this solicitation. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last day

of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all questions or

comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State’s web site

http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/bids. Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as possible after

the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All information provided by

vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide confidential information, except as

described in 5.1 below.

1.5. CHANGES TO THIS SOLICITATION: Any modifications to this solicitation will be made in writing by the State

through the issuance of an Addendum to this solicitation and posted online at

http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.

1.6. CONTRACT QUANTITY: Any quantities stated in the detailed requirements of this solicitation are estimates only

based on prior usage, and are annual quantities, unless otherwise stated. Actual purchases may be higher or

lower depending on the State’s needs.

2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS: ICP-OES Instrument Specifications

The Vermont Agriculture Environmental Laboratory (VAEL) requests proposals for an Inductively Coupled Plasma

Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), chiller, autosampler, computer and software for the Metals Laboratory. This

system must be capable of performing feed & fertilizer analyses and EPA method 200.7. The instrument must allow for

calibration and detection of multiple analytes in a single sequence.

2.1 System Requirements:

2.1.1 Must include a new, bench-top fully automated system, with a footprint less than 35” x 30” x 25” (H X D X

W).

2.1.2 Must have a simultaneous, solid-state detector with the ability to detect >95% of the wavelengths in the

167nm-785nm range.

2.1.3 The detector should be chilled to at least -35ºC to minimize dark current signal, enhancing instrument

performance and detection limits.

2.1.4 The detector must be hermetically sealed and require no gas consumption for detector purging.

2.1.5 Must have dual viewing modes with the option to read axially and radially in a 2-step sequential process or

read axial and radial views alone.

2.1.6 The ICP-OES must use Argon (99.99% purity) only for operation. Total system gas flow for operation should

not exceed 25 L/min.

2.1.7 All gas flows controlling the plasma should have Mass Flow Controllers. This includes plasma gas (coolant),

auxiliary gas, nebulizer gas and make up gas.

Revision Date: February 5, 2026

2.1.8 Must have a water chiller.

2.1.9 Autosampler must be capable of holding at least 180 - 15mL autosampler tubes with a well for automatic

sampler probe rinsing between samples.

2.1.10 The system must include a computer with Windows 11 operating system and manufacturer software

capable of running all system components.

2.1.11 The instrument must have a standard single piece design vertical plasma torch

2.1.12 The instrument must have a five (5) channel, variable speed, and computer-controlled peristaltic pump to

allow for on-line addition of internal standards.

2.1.13 Customizable, fully serviceable sample introduction setup including but not limited to torch assembly, spray

chamber, nebulizer.

2.2 Instrument Software Must be capable of the following:

2.2.1 Automated background correction, removing the user’s need to decide upon suitable background points for

background correction.

2.2.2 Automated spectral interference correction. For Traditional Interfering Element Corrections (IEC), the

software must be able to automatically calculate these values.

2.2.3 Displaying a continuous full spectrum scan.

2.2.4 Flag out-of-control data

2.2.5 Track maintenance components.

2.2.6 Shut down system automatically after a sequence has ended.

2.2.7 Meets or exceeds method analysis requirements for SW-846 and EPA Method 6010D & EPA 200.7.

2.2.8 Export data and instrument files to a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

2.3 Installation and Training

2.3.1 Vendor must provide onsite system installation and initial user training.

2.4 Warranty

2.4.1 One-year warranty package for all parts, labor, and travel.

2.5 Trade-In Instrumentation

2.5.1 Thermo Electron iCAP 7200 Spectrophotometer (Serial # IC72DUO175) is available for trade-in on a

reduced price

2.6 Shipping

2.6.1 The System is to be shipped FOB with the shipping charges included as part of the total bid price. The

shipping address is:

Vermont Agriculture Environmental Lab

163 Admin Drive

Randolph Center, VT 05061

3. State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard Update: Contractor confirms that all products and services provided to or

for the use of the State under this Agreement shall be in compliance with State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard

Revision Date: February 5, 2026

Update in effect at the time of this Agreement. The State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard Update prohibits the use of

certain branded products in State information systems or any vendor system, and a copy is available at:

https://digitalservices.vermont.gov/cybersecurity/cybersecurity-standards-and-directives

4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:

4.1.1.PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and all costs that Bidder

wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If applicable, all equipment pricing is to

include F.O.B. delivery to the ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be honored. All

equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless otherwise requested

by the State. No charge for packing, shipping, or for any other purpose will be allowed over and above the

price quoted.

4.1.2.Prices and/or rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy submitted by Bidder

must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii) cover the full spectrum of materials and/or

services required.

4.1.3.Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive bidding

process with another state and/or cooperative are welcome to submit the pricing in response to this

solicitation.

4.2. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses and select the Bidder(s) as

may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and consistent with the goals and performance

requirements outlined in this solicitation. The State of Vermont reserves the right to obtain clarification or additional

information necessary to properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to respond to a request for additional

information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's proposal. To secure a project that is deemed to

be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in

part, with or without cause, and to waive technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make

purchases outside of the awarded contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.

4.2.1.Best and Final Offer (BAFO). At any time after submission of Responses and prior to the final selection of

Bidder(s) for Contract negotiation or execution, the State may invite Bidder(s) to provide a BAFO. The state

reserves the right to request BAFOs from only those Bidders that meet the minimum qualification requirements

and/or have not been eliminated from consideration during the evaluation process.

4.2.2.Presentation. An in-person or webinar presentation by the Bidder may be required by the State if it will help

the State’s evaluation process. The State will factor information presented during presentations into the

evaluation. Bidders will be responsible for all costs associated with providing the presentation.

4.3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:

4.3.1.Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCOI): An OCOI arises when a bidder as a business entity has interests

(for example, customers, partners, contracts) that could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine,

its faithful and unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.

4.3.2.Personal Conflict of Interest (PCOI): A PCOI arises when an interest held by an individual, agent or

employee of a bidder could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine, its faithful and unbiased

performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.

4.3.3.Requirements: The State does not seek to contract with any individual or business entity having a conflict of

interest which cannot be mitigated to the State’s satisfaction. To ensure the State’s awareness of actual,

potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs and OCOIs, bidders shall:

a) Prior to submitting a proposal, conduct an internal review of its current affiliations and activities and identify

actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs or OCOIs relative to a contract with the State that may

result from this solicitation.

b) Disclose in your proposal any actual or potential PCOI or OCOI or the existence of any facts that may cause

a reasonably prudent person to perceive a PCOI or OCOI with respect to a contract with the State that may

result from this solicitation. Disclose, also, any actions proposed to mitigate the PCOI or OCOI.

Revision Date: February 5, 2026

The State shall have sole discretion to determine whether a PCOI or OCOI can be mitigated to the State’s

satisfaction and may discuss the conflict with the bidder if and to the extent the State deems discussion necessary

to its determination. The State reserves the right to (a) reject from further consideration any proposal having a PCOI

or OCIO that cannot be mitigated to the State’s full satisfaction and (b) terminate a contract upon discovery that a

contractor failed to disclose facts pertaining to a PCOI or OCOI in its proposal, or otherwise misrepresented

relevant information to the State.

4.4. EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-16: CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS IN STATE PROCUREMENTS:

For bid amounts exceeding $25,000.00 Bidders are requested to complete the Climate Change Considerations in

State Procurements Certification, which is included in the Certificate of Compliance for this solicitation.

After consideration of all relevant factors, a bidder that demonstrates business practices that promote clean energy

and address climate change as identified in the Certification, shall be given favorable consideration in the

competitive bidding process. Such favorable consideration shall be consistent with and not supersede any

preference given to resident bidders of the State and/or products raised or manufactured in the State, as explained

in the Method of Award section. But, such favorable consideration shall not be employed if prohibited by law or

other relevant authority or agreement.

4.5. METHOD OF AWARD: Awards will be made under the provisions of 29 V.S.A. § 903. The State may award one

or more contracts and reserves the right to make additional awards to other compliant bidders at any time if such

award is deemed to be in the best interest of the State. All other considerations being equal, preference will be

given to the following as identified in the applicable Certificate of Compliance.

4.5.1.resident bidders of the state and/or to products raised or manufactured in the state;

4.5.2.purchase of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States (including but not limited to iron,

aluminum, steel, cement, and other manufactured products) when the award involves the use of applicable

federal funds under 2 C.F.R. § 200.322)

4.5.3.bidders who have practices that promote clean energy and address climate change.

4.6. CONTRACT NEGOTIATION: Upon completion of the evaluation process, the State may select one or more

bidders with which to negotiate a contract, based on the evaluation findings and other criteria deemed relevant for

ensuring that the decision made is in the best interest of the State. In the event State is not successful in

negotiating a contract with a selected bidder, the State reserves the option of negotiating with another bidder, or to

end the proposal process entirely.

4.7. COST OF PREPARATION: Bidder shall be solely responsible for all expenses incurred in the preparation of a

response to this solicitation and shall be responsible for all expenses associated with any presentations or

demonstrations associated with this request and/or any proposals made.

4.8. CONTRACT TERMS: The selected bidder(s) will be expected to sign a contract with the State, including the

Standard Contract Form and Attachment C as attached to this solicitation for reference. If IT Attachment D is

included in this solicitation, terms may be modified based upon the solution proposed by the Bidder, subject to

approval by the Agency of Digital Services.

4.8.1.Business Registration. To be awarded a contract by the State of Vermont a bidder (except an individual

doing business in his/her own name) must be registered with the Vermont Secretary of State’s office

https://sos.vermont.gov/business-services/business-filings/ and must obtain a Contractor’s Business Account

Number issued by the Vermont Department of Taxes http://tax.vermont.gov/ .

4.8.2.The contract will obligate the bidder to provide the services and/or products identified in its bid, at the prices

listed.

4.8.3.Payment Terms. Percentage discounts may be offered for prompt payments of invoices; however, such

discounts must be in effect for a period of 30 days or more in order to be considered in making awards.

4.8.4.Quality. If applicable, all products provided under a contract with the State will be new and unused, unless

otherwise stated. Factory seconds or remanufactured products will not be accepted unless specifically

requested by the purchasing agency. All products provided by the contractor must meet all federal, state, and

local standards for quality and safety requirements. Products not meeting these standards will be deemed

unacceptable and returned to the contractor for credit at no charge to the State.

Revision Date: February 5, 2026

Commodity Codes

• NAICS 334516Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

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