Every reason behind the verdict rather than the headline one — which of your certifications match, how much runway is left, whether the work is your size, and what we would need to know to sharpen it.
Written against this notice and what you have told us about your company. Anything we do not know is marked [NEEDS INPUT] in the draft rather than guessed at — read it before you send it.
Start a free trial to draft these. Nothing is sent to an agency on your behalf, ever — you get a document to review, edit and submit yourself.
Sources Sought response
A complete draft response — capability statement, relevant past performance, business size and socioeconomic status, and answers to the agency's specific questions.
Questions to submit
Genuine ambiguities and requirements that disadvantage a smaller bidder, drafted as questions you can submit before the Q&A deadline.
Past performance write-ups
Which of your prior awards best match this requirement, and draft write-ups in the format the agency asked for.
Solicitation details
Solicitation number
68HERW26Q0077
Notice type
Special Notice
NAICS
334516
Product service code
6640
Set-aside
Unrestricted
Posted
2026-08-04
Response deadline
Aug 20, 2026, 8:30 PM UTC
Contracting contact
fischer.charles@epa.gov
Market intelligence
Account requiredWho wins this work, and what it pays
Comparable awards under NAICS 334516 at this agency — the incumbent, what they were paid, when their period of performance ends, and the real pricing distribution rather than the headline number. From public federal award records.
NOTICE OF INTENT This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source contract using simplified acquisition procedures and is not a request for competitive quotes. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Office of Water (OW) intends to award a sole source contract under the simplified acquisition threshold for a Cryo Mill cryogenic grinder instrument from Verder Scientific Inc. that is capable of grinding polymers into mico/ nanoplastics to a size less than 1000 nanometers (nm). In accordance with FAR 6.303-1(a)(1), there is the only responsible source available that can satisfy agency requirements. The Cryo Mill is the only cryogenic grinder that the government has determined can meet the government’s specifications. These specifications include: 1. Closed-vial system to reduce polymer contamination during use. 2. Stainless steel grinding chamber/ vial and accessories to reduce sample contamination. 3. Liquid nitrogen autofill accessories to provide continuous cooling of system during grinding and liquid nitrogen sensors for safety precautions. 4. Capacity to grind at least 50 mL of material. 5. Ability to use various sizes of grinding slugs or balls to optimize grinding procedures to make reproducible protocols. 6. Benchtop model to fit in current lab space configuration (under 2 ft2 size) 7. Availability of multiple grinding chambers to avoid cross contamination between different polymers, reduce downtime, and increase sample processing 8. Demonstrated ability to create nanoplastic particles (<1000 nm) 9. Programmable ability to store multiple protocols for accurate replication of procedures The capability to configure Cryo Mill instrumentation to reliably create micro/nanoplastics has been demonstrated by members of the scientific community at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Only this suggested source can furnish equipment that meets these requirements to the exclusion of other sources. The government could not find evidence that comparable cryogenic grinders could reliably meet this requirement. This requirement includes expiring funds, and it is anticipated that the EPA will award this action no later than September 30, 2026. The applicable NAICS Code is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) PSC is 6630 (Chemical Analysis Instruments). The anticipated delivery date is October 30, 2026 and will be sent to the Environmental Protection Agency, 27 Tarzwell Drive, Narragansett, RI. 02882. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. Any party who believes they can perform this requirement should submit a capability statement for government’s consideration. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received by the government as a result of this notice will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by a party who responds to this notice. A party may identify their interest and submit a capability statement no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT on August 20, 2026. Responses, including questions about this notice, should be sent via email to Charles Fischer (Contracting Officer) at Fischer.charles@epa.gov. Please reference 68HERW26Q0077 in the subject line of your email.
Contact
Point of contact
Fischer, Charles K.
Role
not stated on this notice — SAM publishes a role for only about 5% of them, so this may be a contract specialist rather than the contracting officer
Email
fischer.charles@epa.gov
Submit questions
Ambiguities and requirements worth clarifying, written as questions you can send before the deadline.
Opens in your own mail client, addressed and with a subject line — you write the message. GovSprint never sends anything on your behalf.
Emails open in your mail client and are sent from your address, so the reply comes back to you and the exchange stays yours. Confirm the correct channel and any question deadline on the notice before sending — many solicitations require questions in a specific way.
