Sole Source Procurement for METTLER TOLEDO Thermal Analysis Instruments

The Forestry and Environmental Conservation and Materials Science and Engineering departments at Clemson University are seeking to purchase three METTLER TOLEDO thermal analysis instruments via sole sourcing. These instruments, including the DMA 1 Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer, the TGA 2 Thermogravimetric Analyzer, and the DSC 5+ Differential Scanning Calorimeter, are necessary for ongoing research involving thermal transitions, compositional analysis, and the viscoelastic characterization of biomaterials. The sole source procurement is justified because METTLER TOLEDO is the only manufacturer capable of meeting the technical specifications and performance requirements necessary for current and future research applications. Some key features of the instruments include: • The DMA 1 features a detachable multi-position measurement head, an LVDT displacement sensor, and a temperature range of –190°C to 600°C. • The TGA 2 features proprietary technology, including a horizontal, single-beam furnace and parallel-guided internal balance, which minimize thermal gradients and ensure continuous 1 μg resolution without range switching. • The DSC 5+ is a differential scanning calorimeter that is essential for thermal analysis research. The contract amount for this procurement is $410,912.61.