Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES)

Department of Buildings and General Services Agency of Administration
Office of Purchasing & Contracting
133 State Street, 5th Floor | Montpelier VT 05633-8000
802-828-2211 phone |802-828-2222 fax
http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing
SEALED BID
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission
Spectrometer (ICP-OES)
ISSUE DATE March 23, 2026
QUESTIONS DUE March 30, 2026 - 3:00 PM (EST)
RFP RESPONSES DUE BY April 6, 2026 - 4:30 PM (EST)
PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES, AND ADDENDUMS ASSOCIATED
WITH THIS SOLICITATION WILL BE POSTED AT:
http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php
THE STATE WILL MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO CONTACT INTERESTED PARTIES WITH UPDATED
INFORMATION. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH BIDDER TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE
ABOVE WEB PAGE FOR ANY AND ALL NOTIFICATIONS, RELEASES AND ADDENDUMS
ASSOCIATED WITH THIS SOLICITATION.
STATE CONTACT: Deb LaRose
E-MAIL: Deborah.larose@vermont.gov
FAX: (802) 828-2222

1. OVERVIEW:
1.1. SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Office of Purchasing & Contracting
(hereinafter the "State") is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that can provide Inductively
Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), chiller, autosampler, computer and software for the
Metals Laboratory.
1.2. CONTRACT PERIOD: Any contract(s) arising from this solicitation will be for a period of 12 MONTHS.
1.3. SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT: All communications concerning this solicitation are to be addressed in writing to
the State Contact listed on the front page of this solicitation. Actual or attempted contact with any other individual
from the State concerning this solicitation is strictly prohibited and may result in disqualification.
1.4. QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD: Any bidder requiring clarification of any section of this solicitation or wishing
to comment on any requirement of the solicitation must submit specific questions in writing no later than the
deadline for question indicated on the first page of this solicitation. Questions may be e-mailed to the point of
contact on the front page of this solicitation. Questions or comments not raised in writing on or before the last day
of the question period are thereafter waived. At the close of the question period a copy of all questions or
comments and the State's responses will be posted on the State's web site
http://bgs.vermont.gov/purchasing/bids. Every effort will be made to post this information as soon as possible after
the question period ends, contingent on the number and complexity of the questions. All information provided by
vendors during this process will be public and bidders shall not provide confidential information, except as
described in 5.1 below.
1.5. CHANGES TO THIS SOLICITATION: Any modifications to this solicitation will be made in writing by the State
through the issuance of an Addendum to this solicitation and posted online at
http://www.bgs.state.vt.us/pca/bids/bids.php . Modifications from any other source are not to be considered.
1.6. CONTRACT QUANTITY: Any quantities stated in the detailed requirements of this solicitation are estimates only
based on prior usage, and are annual quantities, unless otherwise stated. Actual purchases may be higher or
lower depending on the State's needs.
2. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS: ICP-OES Instrument Specifications
The Vermont Agriculture Environmental Laboratory (VAEL) requests proposals for an Inductively Coupled Plasma
Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES), chiller, autosampler, computer and software for the Metals Laboratory. This
system must be capable of performing feed & fertilizer analyses and EPA method 200.7. The instrument must allow for
calibration and detection of multiple analytes in a single sequence.
2.1 System Requirements:
2.1.1 Must include a new, bench-top fully automated system, with a footprint less than 35" x 30" x 25" (H X D X
W).
2.1.2 Must have a simultaneous, solid-state detector with the ability to detect >95% of the wavelengths in the
167nm-785nm range.
2.1.3 The detector should be chilled to at least -35oC to minimize dark current signal, enhancing instrument
performance and detection limits.
2.1.4 The detector must be hermetically sealed and require no gas consumption for detector purging.
2.1.5 Must have dual viewing modes with the option to read axially and radially in a 2-step sequential process or
read axial and radial views alone.
2.1.6 The ICP-OES must use Argon (99.99% purity) only for operation. Total system gas flow for operation should
not exceed 25 L/min.
2.1.7 All gas flows controlling the plasma should have Mass Flow Controllers. This includes plasma gas (coolant),
auxiliary gas, nebulizer gas and make up gas.
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

2.1.8 Must have a water chiller.
2.1.9 Autosampler must be capable of holding at least 180 - 15mL autosampler tubes with a well for automatic
sampler probe rinsing between samples.
2.1.10 The system must include a computer with Windows 11 operating system and manufacturer software
capable of running all system components.
2.1.11 The instrument must have a standard single piece design vertical plasma torch
2.1.12 The instrument must have a five (5) channel, variable speed, and computer-controlled peristaltic pump to
allow for on-line addition of internal standards.
2.1.13 Customizable, fully serviceable sample introduction setup including but not limited to torch assembly, spray
chamber, nebulizer.
2.2 Instrument Software Must be capable of the following:
2.2.1 Automated background correction, removing the user's need to decide upon suitable background points for
background correction.
2.2.2 Automated spectral interference correction. For Traditional Interfering Element Corrections (IEC), the
software must be able to automatically calculate these values.
2.2.3 Displaying a continuous full spectrum scan.
2.2.4 Flag out-of-control data
2.2.5 Track maintenance components.
2.2.6 Shut down system automatically after a sequence has ended.
2.2.7 Meets or exceeds method analysis requirements for SW-846 and EPA Method 6010D & EPA 200.7.
2.2.8 Export data and instrument files to a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
2.3 Installation and Training
2.3.1 Vendor must provide onsite system installation and initial user training.
2.4 Warranty
2.4.1 One-year warranty package for all parts, labor, and travel.
2.5 Trade-In Instrumentation
2.5.1 Thermo Electron iCAP 7200 Spectrophotometer (Serial # IC72DUO175) is available for trade-in on a
reduced price
2.6 Shipping
2.6.1 The System is to be shipped FOB with the shipping charges included as part of the total bid price. The
shipping address is:
Vermont Agriculture Environmental Lab
163 Admin Drive
Randolph Center, VT 05061
3. State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard Update: Contractor confirms that all products and services provided to or
for the use of the State under this Agreement shall be in compliance with State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

Update in effect at the time of this Agreement. The State of Vermont Cybersecurity Standard Update prohibits the use of
certain branded products in State information systems or any vendor system, and a copy is available at:
https://digitalservices.vermont.gov/cybersecurity/cybersecurity-standards-and-directives
4. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS:
4.1.1. PRICING: Bidders must price the terms of this solicitation at their best pricing. Any and all costs that Bidder
wishes the State to consider must be submitted for consideration. If applicable, all equipment pricing is to
include F.O.B. delivery to the ordering facility. No request for extra delivery cost will be honored. All
equipment shall be delivered assembled, serviced, and ready for immediate use, unless otherwise requested
by the State. No charge for packing, shipping, or for any other purpose will be allowed over and above the
price quoted.
4.1.2. Prices and/or rates shall remain firm for the initial term of the contract. The pricing policy submitted by Bidder
must (i) be clearly structured, accountable, and auditable and (ii) cover the full spectrum of materials and/or
services required.
4.1.3. Cooperative Agreements. Bidders that have been awarded similar contracts through a competitive bidding
process with another state and/or cooperative are welcome to submit the pricing in response to this
solicitation.
4.2. STATEMENT OF RIGHTS: The State shall have the authority to evaluate Responses and select the Bidder(s) as
may be determined to be in the best interest of the State and consistent with the goals and performance
requirements outlined in this solicitation. The State of Vermont reserves the right to obtain clarification or additional
information necessary to properly evaluate a proposal. Failure of bidder to respond to a request for additional
information or clarification could result in rejection of that bidder's proposal. To secure a project that is deemed to
be in the best interest of the State, the State reserves the right to accept or reject any and all bids, in whole or in
part, with or without cause, and to waive technicalities in submissions. The State also reserves the right to make
purchases outside of the awarded contracts where it is deemed in the best interest of the State.
4.2.1. Best and Final Offer (BAFO). At any time after submission of Responses and prior to the final selection of
Bidder(s) for Contract negotiation or execution, the State may invite Bidder(s) to provide a BAFO. The state
reserves the right to request BAFOs from only those Bidders that meet the minimum qualification requirements
and/or have not been eliminated from consideration during the evaluation process.
4.2.2. Presentation. An in-person or webinar presentation by the Bidder may be required by the State if it will help
the State's evaluation process. The State will factor information presented during presentations into the
evaluation. Bidders will be responsible for all costs associated with providing the presentation.
4.3. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST:
4.3.1. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCOI): An OCOI arises when a bidder as a business entity has interests
(for example, customers, partners, contracts) that could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine,
its faithful and unbiased performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.
4.3.2. Personal Conflict of Interest (PCOI): A PCOI arises when an interest held by an individual, agent or
employee of a bidder could undermine, or reasonably be perceived to undermine, its faithful and unbiased
performance of a contract with the State that may result from this solicitation.
4.3.3. Requirements: The State does not seek to contract with any individual or business entity having a conflict of
interest which cannot be mitigated to the State's satisfaction. To ensure the State's awareness of actual,
potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs and OCOIs, bidders shall:
a) Prior to submitting a proposal, conduct an internal review of its current affiliations and activities and identify
actual, potential, or reasonably perceived PCOIs or OCOIs relative to a contract with the State that may
result from this solicitation.
b) Disclose in your proposal any actual or potential PCOI or OCOI or the existence of any facts that may cause
a reasonably prudent person to perceive a PCOI or OCOI with respect to a contract with the State that may
result from this solicitation. Disclose, also, any actions proposed to mitigate the PCOI or OCOI.
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

The State shall have sole discretion to determine whether a PCOI or OCOI can be mitigated to the State's
satisfaction and may discuss the conflict with the bidder if and to the extent the State deems discussion necessary
to its determination. The State reserves the right to (a) reject from further consideration any proposal having a PCOI
or OCIO that cannot be mitigated to the State's full satisfaction and (b) terminate a contract upon discovery that a
contractor failed to disclose facts pertaining to a PCOI or OCOI in its proposal, or otherwise misrepresented
relevant information to the State.
4.4. EXECUTIVE ORDER 05-16: CLIMATE CHANGE CONSIDERATIONS IN STATE PROCUREMENTS:
For bid amounts exceeding $25,000.00 Bidders are requested to complete the Climate Change Considerations in
State Procurements Certification, which is included in the Certificate of Compliance for this solicitation.
After consideration of all relevant factors, a bidder that demonstrates business practices that promote clean energy
and address climate change as identified in the Certification, shall be given favorable consideration in the
competitive bidding process. Such favorable consideration shall be consistent with and not supersede any
preference given to resident bidders of the State and/or products raised or manufactured in the State, as explained
in the Method of Award section. But, such favorable consideration shall not be employed if prohibited by law or
other relevant authority or agreement.
4.5. METHOD OF AWARD: Awards will be made under the provisions of 29 V.S.A. 903. The State may award one
or more contracts and reserves the right to make additional awards to other compliant bidders at any time if such
award is deemed to be in the best interest of the State. All other considerations being equal, preference will be
given to the following as identified in the applicable Certificate of Compliance.
4.5.1. resident bidders of the state and/or to products raised or manufactured in the state;
4.5.2. purchase of goods, products, or materials produced in the United States (including but not limited to iron,
aluminum, steel, cement, and other manufactured products) when the award involves the use of applicable
federal funds under 2 C.F.R. 200.322)
4.5.3. bidders who have practices that promote clean energy and address climate change.
4.6. CONTRACT NEGOTIATION: Upon completion of the evaluation process, the State may select one or more
bidders with which to negotiate a contract, based on the evaluation findings and other criteria deemed relevant for
ensuring that the decision made is in the best interest of the State. In the event State is not successful in
negotiating a contract with a selected bidder, the State reserves the option of negotiating with another bidder, or to
end the proposal process entirely.
4.7. COST OF PREPARATION: Bidder shall be solely responsible for all expenses incurred in the preparation of a
response to this solicitation and shall be responsible for all expenses associated with any presentations or
demonstrations associated with this request and/or any proposals made.
4.8. CONTRACT TERMS: The selected bidder(s) will be expected to sign a contract with the State, including the
Standard Contract Form and Attachment C as attached to this solicitation for reference. If IT Attachment D is
included in this solicitation, terms may be modified based upon the solution proposed by the Bidder, subject to
approval by the Agency of Digital Services.
4.8.1. Business Registration. To be awarded a contract by the State of Vermont a bidder (except an individual
doing business in his/her own name) must be registered with the Vermont Secretary of State's office
https://sos.vermont.gov/business-services/business-filings/ and must obtain a Contractor's Business Account
Number issued by the Vermont Department of Taxes http://tax.vermont.gov/ .
4.8.2. The contract will obligate the bidder to provide the services and/or products identified in its bid, at the prices
listed.
4.8.3. Payment Terms. Percentage discounts may be offered for prompt payments of invoices; however, such
discounts must be in effect for a period of 30 days or more in order to be considered in making awards.
4.8.4. Quality. If applicable, all products provided under a contract with the State will be new and unused, unless
otherwise stated. Factory seconds or remanufactured products will not be accepted unless specifically
requested by the purchasing agency. All products provided by the contractor must meet all federal, state, and
local standards for quality and safety requirements. Products not meeting these standards will be deemed
unacceptable and returned to the contractor for credit at no charge to the State.
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

4.9. SUBSTITUTION: Bidders may offer, in their bids, substitutes to items identified by a manufacturer's number or
brand. When offering a substitution, bidder must describe any differences and provide technical information that
will assist in the State's evaluation.
4.10. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION: Bidders are requested to complete the Environmental Information Form
which is included in the Certificate of Compliance for this solicitation identifying the following for each product being
quoted:
a. Percent (%) of recycled content and post-consumer content; and
b. Mercury content certification.
4.11. SAMPLES:
4.11.1. Bidder Supplied Samples: The Commissioner reserves the right to request from the Bidder/Contractor a
representative sample(s) of the Product offered at any time prior to or after award of a contract. Unless
otherwise instructed, samples shall be furnished within the time specified in the request. Untimely
submission of a sample may constitute grounds for rejection of Bid or cancellation of the Contract. Samples
must be submitted free of charge and be accompanied by the Bidder's name and address, any descriptive
literature relating to the Product and a statement indicating how and where the sample is to be returned.
Where applicable, samples must be properly labeled with the appropriate Bid or Contract reference.
A sample may be held by the Commissioner during the entire term of the Contract and for a reasonable
period thereafter for comparison with deliveries. At the conclusion of the holding period the sample, where
feasible, will be returned as instructed by the bidder, at the bidder's expense and risk. Where the bidder has
failed to fully instruct the Commissioner as to the return of the sample (i.e., mode and place of return, etc.) or
refuses to bear the cost of its return, the sample shall become the sole property of the receiving entity at the
conclusion of the holding period.
4.11.2. Enhanced Samples: When an approved sample exceeds the minimum specifications, all Product delivered
must be of the same enhanced quality and identity as the sample. Thereafter, in the event of a Contractor's
default, the Commissioner may procure a Product substantially equal to the enhanced sample from other
sources, charging the Contractor for any additional costs incurred.
4.11.3. Conformance with Sample(s): Submission of a sample (whether or not such sample is tested by, or for, the
Commissioner) and approval thereof shall not relieve the Contractor from full compliance with the
requirements specified in this solicitation. If in the judgment of the Commissioner the sample or product
submitted is not in accordance with the specifications or testing requirements prescribed in the Bid
Specifications, the Commissioner may reject the Bid. If an award has been made, the Commissioner may
cancel the Contract at the expense of the Contractor.
4.11.4. Testing: All samples are subject to tests in the manner and place designated by the Commissioner, either
prior to or after Contract award. Unless otherwise stated elsewhere in this solicitation, bidder samples
consumed or rendered useless by testing will not be returned to the bidder. Testing costs for samples that
fails to meet Contract requirements may be at the expense of the Contractor.
4.12. WARRANTY: The manufacturer shall include with its proposal a written warranty for each product that it intends to
furnish. Warrantees must be based on commercial use and shall extend fora minimum term of one (1) year from
the date a Product is available for use by the purchaser; however, longer term warranties are desirable and will be
given favorable consideration, all else being equal.
5. ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) means the purchase of products and services that have a lesser or
reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve
the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw material acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging,
distribution, re-use, operation, maintenance, or disposal of the product or service).
The State of Vermont has established specific goals and objectives aimed at providing sound environmental
stewardship, protecting human health, reducing state operating expenses associated with the use and control of
regulated hazardous materials, and reducing potential liability attributable to environmental impact. Therefore, where
applicable, the following environmental criteria shall be considered for all State purchasing and contracts.
5.1. Paper: The State desires to reduce the use of chlorine in the products it purchases to protect the environment from
pollution. Processed Chlorine Free (PCF) paper means paper in which the recycled content is processed
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

unbleached or is bleached without the use of chlorine or chlorine derivatives AND any virgin material contained
therein is totally chlorine free (TCF).
5.1.1. Copier Paper: The State requires PCF copier paper which contains a minimum of 50% post-consumer
recycled material (any virgin material must be TCF).
5.1.2. Printing and Writing Paper: The State requires at least 30% post-consumer recycled content for non-coated
paper and at least 10% post-consumer recycled content for coated paper. Preference will be given to chlorine
free options when suitable choices are available.
5.2. Recycled Content: The Commissioner of Buildings and General Services may, at his/her discretion, spend up to
10% more for comparable products that are made of recycled materials. If products made of recycled materials are
to cost more than 10% more than comparable products, the Commissioner shall receive consent of State entities
that are to use the product before completing the order in question.
5.3. Sustainable Products: Bidders are encouraged to provide alternative price quotations on wood or paper products
that are derived from sustainably managed forestlands. Sustainably managed forest lands shall be defined as those
lands enrolled and/or licensed under one of the following third-party certification programs: Sustainable Forestry
Initiative Program, the American Tree Farm System, the Canadian Standards Association's Sustainable Forest
Management System Standards, the Finnish Standard, Forest Stewardship Council, Pan-European Forest
Certification, Swedish Standard, the United Kingdom Woodland Assurance Scheme or other such credible programs
as may be developed and implemented. Bidders must provide satisfactory documentation of certification with their
bid.
5.4. Life-Cycle Cost Evaluation: Life cycle cost analysis shall extend beyond the cost of purchasing, to include
installation, operation, maintenance, durability, and disposal of a particular product.
5.5. Energy Efficiency (Energy Star): Bidders shall provide products that earn the ENERGY STAR and meet the
ENERGY STAR specifications for energy efficiency when applicable. The bidder is encouraged to
visit energystar.gov for complete product specifications and updated lists of qualifying products.
5.6. Alternative Fuels: Evaluations for vehicles and other fuel-consuming equipment shall consider not only fuel
efficiency, but also the source and type of fuel, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and pollutants.
5.7. Vehicles: The State will purchase vehicles that have the highest available fuel efficiency in each respective
vehicle class (e.g., passenger cars, light duty trucks, etc.) pursuant to performance specifications recommended
by the state Technical Advisory Group established under Executive Order 12-17 section I (D). These performance
standards should include consideration of vehicles that not only meet high fuel economy standards but that also
provide lower total emissions of greenhouse gases, criteria pollutants, and hazardous air contaminants.
6. CONTENT AND FORMAT OF RESPONSES: The content and format requirements listed below are the minimum
requirements for State evaluation. These requirements are not intended to limit the content of a Bidder's proposal.
Bidders may include additional information or offer alternative solutions for the State's consideration. However, the
State discourages overly lengthy and costly proposals, and Bidders are advised to include only such information in their
response as may be relevant to the requirements of this solicitation.
6.1. Unsolicited Bidder-Confidential Information Prohibited. Bidders are hereby expressly directed not to include
any confidential information in their proposal submissions, except as specifically permitted below. By submitting a
proposal in response to this RFP, vendors acknowledge and agree to abide by the terms and conditions outlined in
this document, including the prohibition on submitting confidential information. This prohibition reduces the burden
on the State while preventing vendor-confidential information from entering the public record.
6.1.1. Disclosure under Public Records Act. All information received by the State in response to this solicitation
will become part of the contract file and subject to public disclosure in accordance with the State's Public
Records Act, 1 V.S.A. 315 et seq. The State may also choose to publicly post responses to this solicitation
and the resulting agreement(s), following conclusion of this procurement process.
6.1.2. Unsolicited Confidential Materials. This RFP does not solicit bidder confidential information and bidders are
expressly prohibited from providing confidential information in response to this RFP. All materials furnished by
bidders in response to this RFP, including those marked as confidential by bidders, are subject to disclosure if
requested under the Public Records Act, or public posting.
6.1.3. State Not Responsible for Disclosure of Unmarked Bidder-Confidential Information. It is the
sole responsibility of the bidder to ensure that, other than where specifically directed or permitted by this RFP
and accordingly marked as described below, no information that should not be publicly disclosed is included in
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

their proposal materials, including any 1) trade secrets or intellectual property, 2) proprietary financial or
business information, 3) personal information, or 4) any other information that should not be disclosed to the
public. For example, bidders should avoid including specific details of their proprietary technologies or
methodologies that they consider confidential, and any references to previous client engagements should be
presented in a manner that does not disclose the client's confidential information.
6.2. The bid should include a Cover Letter and Technical Response and Price Schedule.
6.3. COVER LETTER:
6.3.1. Exceptions to Contract Terms and Conditions. The State will not consider exceptions to contract terms and
conditions included with this RFP.
6.4. TECHNICAL RESPONSE. In response to this solicitation, a bidder shall:
6.4.1. Provide details concerning your form of business organization, company size and resources.
6.4.2. Describe your capabilities and particular experience relevant to the solicitation requirements.
6.4.3. If you have experience working with the State of Vermont, identify all current or past State projects. Provide
the name of the Vermont department or agency and the project title or a brief description of the work. Do not
include references or statements from State of Vermont agencies or employees.
6.4.4. Identify the names of all subcontractors you intend to use, the portions of the work the subcontractors will
perform, and address the background and experience of the subcontractor(s), as per section 5.4.2 above.
6.5. REFERENCES. Provide the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least three companies with whom you
have transacted similar business in the last 12 months. You must include contact names who can talk
knowledgeably about performance. Do not list a State of Vermont agency or employee as a reference.
6.6. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS: Provide a sample of any reporting documentation that may be applicable to the
Detailed Requirements of this solicitation.
6.7. PRICE SCHEDULE: Bidders shall submit their pricing information in the Price Schedule attached to this solicitation.
6.8. CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE: This form must be completed and submitted as part of the response for the
proposal to be considered valid.
7. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS:
7.1. CLOSING DATE: Bids must be received by the State by the due date specified on the front page of this solicitation.
Late bids will not be considered.
7.1.1. The State may, for cause, issue an addendum to change the date and/or time when bids are due. If a change
is made, the State will inform all bidders by posting at the webpage indicated on the front page of this RFP.
7.1.2. There will not be a public bid opening. However, the State will record the name, city and state for any and all
bids received by the due date. This information will be posted as promptly as possible following the due date
online at: https://bgs.vermont.gov/content/opc-bid-tabulation-sheets-0 . Bidders are hereby notified to review
the information posted after the bid opening deadline to confirm receipt of bid by the State. Any bidder that
submitted a bid, and is not listed on the bid tabulation sheet, shall promptly notify the State Contact listed on
the front page of this solicitation. Should a bidder fail to notify the State Contact listed on the front page of this
solicitation within two weeks of posting the bid tabulation sheet, the State shall not be required to consider the
bid.
7.2. ELECTRONIC BIDS ONLY: All bids under this RFP can be submitted in one of two ways and must be submitted
electronically in accordance with the submission requirements herein.
7.2.1. Electronic email bids will be accepted via email submission to SOV.ThePathForward@vermont.gov. If
submitting by email: The subject line of the email submission must reference the Project Title as indicated on
the front page of this RFP.
7.2.1.1. Bids must consist of a single email with a single, digitally searchable PDF attachment containing all
components of the bid. Multiple emails and/or multiple attachments will not be accepted.
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

7.2.1.2. There is an attachment size limit of 40 MB. It is the Bidder's responsibility to compress the PDF file
containing its bid if necessary in order to meet this size limitation. It is also the Bidder's responsibility to
ensure that their own email system can send and receive messages up to this size.
8. BID SUBMISSION CHECKLIST:
Cover Letter
Technical Response
Redacted Technical Response, if applicable
References
Price Schedule
Signed Certificate of Compliance
9. ATTACHMENTS:
9.1. Certificate of Compliance
9.2. Price Schedule
9.3. Attachment D
9.4. Sample Standard Contract Form for Commodities including but not limited to, Attachment C: Standard State
Provisions for Contracts and Grants (February 13, 2026)
Revision Date: February 5, 2026

RFP: ICP - OES
DATE:
Page 1 of 4
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
For your bid to be considered valid, this form must be completed in its entirety, executed by a duly authorized
representative of the bidder, and submitted as part of the response to the proposal.
A. NON COLLUSION: Bidder hereby certifies that the prices quoted have been arrived at without collusion and that no prior
information concerning these prices has been received from or given to a competitive company. If there is sufficient
evidence to warrant investigation of the bid/contract process by the Office of the Attorney General, bidder understands that
this paragraph might be used as a basis for litigation.
B. CONTRACT TERMS: Bidder hereby acknowledges that is has read, understands and agrees to the terms of this
solicitation, including Attachment C: Standard State Contract Provisions, and any other contract attachments included with
this RFP.
C. FORM OF PAYMENT: Does Bidder accept the Visa Purchasing Card as a form of payment?
____ Yes ____ No
D. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION FORM
a. RECYCLED MATERIALS OR PRODUCTS: Bidders are to complete the following information in reference to each
item being quoted. Additional pages may be used if necessary.
Item # Brand/Manufacturer % Of Recycled Content % Post Consumer Content
b. MERCURY CONTENT CERTIFICATION: Bidder certifies that none of the items quoted in this solicitation contain
mercury except as identified below. Bidders shall also specify the amount of mercury contained in any of the products
listed below. Additional pages may be used if necessary.
Item Part # Mercury Content
Revision Date: February 5, 2026