Primary Department: Purchasing
Primary Department Head/Elected Official: Paige McInnis
Secondary Department: Pollution Control Services
Secondary Department Head/Elected Official: Dr. Latrice Babin
Regular or Supplemental RCA: Regular RCA
Type of Request: Contract - Award
Project ID (if applicable): 240455
Vendor/Entity Legal Name (if applicable): Agilent Technologies, Inc.
MWBE Contracted Goal (if applicable): 0%
MWBE Current Participation (if applicable): 0%
Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Drop Shipped
Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable):
Justification for 0% Grant Indirect Costs Rate (if applicable): Choose an item.
Request Summary (Agenda Caption):
title
Request for approval of an award on the basis of only bid meeting specifications to Agilent Technologies, Inc. in the amount of $133,184 for Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) System for Pollution Control Services for the period of August 7, 2025 - August 6, 2026 with four (4) one-year renewal options (240455), Justification for 0% MWBE Participation Goal: 0% - Drop Shipped.
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Background and Discussion:
This project consists of the successful Bidder, in this case Agilent Instruments, furnishing Harris County Pollution Control Services Laboratory with an Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) system. Our existing system is aging and requires constant maintenance, which has impeded timely analysis. Upgrading to a modern system with an autosampler will enhance throughput while reducing resource consumption and labor hours.
The work to be performed by the Bidder shall include, but is not limited to, providing a laboratory system capable of analyzing metals in water and soil at parts per billion (ppb) levels. Vendor(s) must clearly demonstrate their ability to install an ICP/MS system with a sample capacity of 50-125 samples and provide services that may include annual preventive maintenance. The proposal must include warranty costs-preferably with at least three years of extended coverage-along with initial consumables and training required to set up the system.
Expected Impact:
An up-to-date system with an autosampler increases our throughput, increases the accuracy of our results, and cuts the cost of resources and labor hours. This will be achieved by:
• having pre-determined templates and workflows;
• having a user interface compatible with any mobile device on the same local area network;
• having fully developed methods based on the EPA or equivalent methods;
• should come with prewritten SOP templates;
• able to handle sample matrices up to 25% TDS;
• have the ability to automatically address matrix effects;
• have the ability to review data faster via an outlier alert system;
• should have maintenance sensors that will keep track of the maintenance that is necessary throughout usage;
• have video guides for any analyst to watch to address various issues that may arise;
• allow for a post-run tune verification to verify the instrument's stability and allow for preparation for the
• ability to access training courses online to further knowledge on the ICP/MS improvements over time;
• have access to application and method services using our existing Mass Hunter software platform.
Alternative Options:
No other vendor has all the capabilities necessary or bid on the project.
County Strategic Plan Goal: 5. Minimize the impact of climate change and disasters.
County Strategic Plan Objective: N/A
Justice/Safety Initiative (Goal 1): N/A
Infrastructure Initiative (Goal 2): N/A
Economy Initiative (Goal 3): N/A
Health Initiative (Goal 4): N/A
Climate/Resilience Initiative (Goal 5): Q3: Develop capacity to measure and regularly publish countywide emissions and set reduction goals for the County as a whole.
Housing Initiative (Goal 6): N/A
Additional notes related to the Strategic Plan:
Prior Court Action (if any):
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Date |
Agenda Item # |
Action Taken |
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05/08/2025 |
420 |
Advertisement Approval |
Location: N/A
Address (if applicable): N/A
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Fiscal and Personnel Summary |
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Service Name |
Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) System for the Harris County Pollution Control Services |
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Anticipated Court Date: 8/7/2025
Anticipated Implementation Date (if different from Court date): Click or tap to enter a date.
Emergency/Disaster Recovery Note: Not an emergency, disaster, or ARPA related item
Contact(s) name, title, department: Vanessa J. de Vera (Laboratory Manager - Harris County Pollution Control Services) , Jose Camacho (Senior Buyer - Purchasing).
Attachments (if applicable): Letter, Bid Table.