The US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, in Pendleton, OR has a requirement for the following instrument with characteristics as follows:The analyzer is to be based on the flash combustion of the sample followed by reduction and complete GC separation and detection of the products by a thermal conductivity detector.The elemental analyzer must be capable of simultaneous determination of the elements specified in the system configuration: N, N/Protein, NC, NCS, CHN, CHNS, or O. The analyzer needs to be capable of analyzing both soil and plant samples. A complete gas chromatographic separation must be accomplished on the elements of interest for improved accuracy and precision and the entire gas sample resulting from combustion must be analyzed. Splitting, dilution, or "trapping & purging" of the combustion gases are not acceptable. The system must be capable of being reconfigured for alternate applications such as oxygen analysis by pyrolysis or sulfur only analyses without addition of optional detectors or furnaces. The instrument control software must be capable of adjusting the detector gain (x1 or x10) during an analysis for greater sensitivity on low level components. The lower detection limits for all elements (N2 & CO2) must be 1µg in liquid samples; 50-100 µl, or solid samples; 1.0 mg – 1.0 g (depending on the nature of the sample). The instrument control software must control oxygen introduction for oxidation of samples and automatically adjust based on the weight and matrix of each individual sample for economical operation. The system must employ continuous flow design to allow operational interface with alternate detectors such as Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometers for measurement of stable isotopes of N, C, & S or Flame Photometric Detectors for trace sulfur determination, etc. References required. The system must use a single Thermal Conductivity Detector for analysis of all elements for increased accuracy and ease of maintenance. The elemental analyzer must include an autosampler with a capacity for up to 125 samples (32-position standard). The system must be capable of liquid sample analysis by direct injection utilizing optional manual or automatic liquid injectors. The system must include all hardware and software required for operation of the instrument by an external IBM compatible PC operating Windows 95, 98, or NT. The system must include installation and training by a factory trained service representative and is covered by a 12 month on site parts and labor warranty. Extended warranty and service contract must also be available. The USDA plans on negotiating with the only known source CE Elantech Inc. Lakewood, NJ which consists of soil combustion N/C Analyzer, Model Falsh, dual furnace, auto loader, software, installation, training, conversion kit & two sample drums. A solicitation is not available for this notice interested firms can submit proposals to the attention of Fred Gifford as listed in this notice. See numbered note 22.

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