Specifications include, but are not limited to: The MHD Lab seeks proposals for a Microwave Digestion System (hereafter “System”), including: • Equipment and software to aid in determination of trace metals in environmental samples. • Meeting established System technical specifications (detailed in “Items for Response”) • All supplies and consumables needed at startup • Support for implementation, calibration, and start-up of the system • System services such as equipment installation, professional training, comprehensive documentation, and maintenance, provided over thirty-six (36) months or longer Specifically, the Laboratory intends to purchase the following, at a minimum, for the System: • Two (2) microwave digestion systems • Four (4) sets of vessels to allow back-to-back runs without waiting for cool down, cleaning, and re-prepping of vessels • All supplies, consumables, and all other necessary items for start-up • Three (3), or more, yearly service and support agreement • Any additional hardware, peripherals, and/or software necessary if Computer/OS is not integrated into the instrument PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES This project will enhance the Health Department Laboratory’s capacity, throughput, sensitivity, and safety in analyzing environmental samples for trace metals, particularly toxic heavy metals, including lead. The System purchased through this RFP supports the City of Milwaukee’s broader goal of continued reduction of childhood lead poisoning and lead poisoning hazards. • Objective 1. The Laboratory seeks a microwave digestion system to reduce dependence on acid/hot block digestions, thereby allowing the laboratory to reduce the number of fume hoods in its chemistry section, reduce nitric acid use and exhaust, and free up space for other work. Capacity and throughput are factors, as the lab runs thousands of dust wipes a year and increasing soil capacity as well, but they are not the only factors. Safety, service, and cost are also important. • Objective 2. The Laboratory seeks to improve sensitivity of its dust wipe analysis to help achieve the new EPA limits for dust-lead clearance levels.
