EPA - GC-MS/MS System for the Analysis of PFAS in Air - MRAS

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), through the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to procure a Gas Chromatography Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) system. This initiative aligns with the EPA's mission to ensure clean air, land, and water for all Americans by addressing the national concern of per-/poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) contamination. The EPA Region 9 Laboratory aims to enhance its analytical capabilities to detect PFAS in ambient air, thus supporting both regional and national environmental protection efforts.

The contract requires a complete GC-MS/MS system capable of analyzing volatile fluorinated compounds in ambient air and stationary source emissions. The system must function as an integrated unit that includes sample introduction, gas separation, and mass spectral detection features. Additionally, it should support hydrogen as a carrier gas and include essential components such as a high-efficiency electron ionization source and an uninterruptible power supply. The analytical sensitivity required is an Instrument Detection Level of 8 fg octafluoronaphthalene while using hydrogen as the carrier gas.

Furthermore, the contractor will provide a multi-stage thermal desorber/pre-concentrator designed to handle high-humidity and high-CO₂ gas matrices without losing target analytes. This includes ensuring matrix resilience by maintaining target compound recovery within 30% despite challenging conditions. Automation features such as an autosampler capable of processing multiple canisters autonomously are also necessary. A dedicated hydrogen generation system with stringent purity requirements will support continuous operations.

The scope of work also covers implementation, validation, and technical support tasks. These include on-site installation and verification according to OTM-50 protocols, technical training for user proficiency in specialized PFAS applications, and comprehensive training on hardware maintenance, software operation, and method development. The contract will be firm-fixed-price with performance taking place at the EPA Region 9 Laboratory in Corvallis, Oregon.