The statement of work outlines a procurement request for a Yamamoto Scientific America Inc. model SM820 autoclave, aimed at sterilizing lab supplies, media, and seawater for algal culture at the Ocean Ecology Laboratory, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD. The existing autoclave has been deemed inoperable and economically unfeasible to repair. The new autoclave, with an 80-liter capacity, requires minimal floor space (21"x27") and features a user-friendly 7-inch touch screen for operational settings. It includes safety devices to prevent overheating, pressure issues, and operates under 100-120 V AC power. The purchase includes essential accessories and a warranty of one year for parts and labor, plus an additional four years on the compressor. The expected delivery period is within 60 days of order placement, with a projected completion date of December 6, 2024. This procurement is crucial to maintaining laboratory capabilities for ongoing research in ocean ecology.

The NASA Shared Services Center recommends negotiating solely with Yamamoto Scientific America Inc. for the purchase of the Model SM820 Autoclave, Sterilizer, and Dryer, citing its unique features that are essential for upcoming experiments related to the NASA PACE satellite mission. The SM820's notable characteristics include an 80-liter capacity, compact size, and high automaticity in sterilization processes, which are not offered by other competitors. The need for a replacement unit arises from the failure of the existing Steris autoclave, which was deemed too costly to repair. This replacement is critical for conducting algal culture experiments, as it is necessary for producing sterile culture media required for the research on phytoplankton community composition. The recommendation emphasizes that using an alternative vendor or brand would negatively impact project timelines and scientific results, as no other autoclave meets the required specifications at the same price point. Overall, the justification rests on maintaining experimental integrity and ensuring timely analysis in support of the PACE mission objectives.

The NASA Shared Services Center issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) 80NSSC891548Q for a specified model of a large sterilizer with dryer, requiring proposals for a Yamamoto Scientific America Inc. autoclave model SM820. The RFQ emphasizes a brand-name requirement restricted to authorized distributors. Quotes are due by January 28, 2025, with submission guidelines specifying communication through email for questions and contact details. The procurement is designed for small businesses and necessitates registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). Compliance with various federal provisions regarding telecommunications, government representation, and environmental standards is mandatory. The document outlines multiple solicitation provisions, representations, certifications required from offerors, and clauses/terms and conditions pertinent to this commercial item requirement. This RFQ's structured approach includes clear sections on work statements, instructions to offerors, evaluation criteria, and applicable clauses, ensuring potential contractors understand the requirements for successful bid submission. Overall, the document underscores NASA's commitment to regulatory compliance alongside fostering small business participation in federal contracting opportunities.