Mass Spectrometry Platform

The Vendor is required to provide mass spectrometry platform for include:
- Lon source robustness (agency method 1633)
•    Agency method 1633 analyzes wastewater, bio solids, and tissue—matrices laden with lipids and proteins. 
•    The source must demonstrate stability over long batches (e.g., 50+ wastewater injections) to maintain the stringent extracted internal standard (EIS) recovery limits (20%-150%) mandated by the method. 
•    The goal is to invest in an instrument with as much flexibility as possible that includes a multimode ion source allowing for expanded capabilities from the instrument.
- Sensitivity and dynamic range
•    To mitigate matrix suppression in agency method 1633, laboratories often dilute wastewater extracts (e.g., 10x or 50x). 
•    The raw sensitivity of the MS must be exceptionally high to detect low-level PFAS in these diluted samples.
- Scan speed
•    Operational justification: agency method 1633 requires monitoring 40+ analytes plus internal standards. Fast scanning is required to acquire 10-15 data points across narrow ultra hi performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) peaks and to accurately define the complex peak morphology of branched isomers in agency method 537.1.
- Vacuum pump
•    Limiting pump maintenance improves laboratory workflow efficiency.
- Quantitation algorithms
•    Agency methods 533 and 1633 use labeled analogs for every analyte; the software must automatically correct the native analyte concentration by the recovery of its isotope. 
•    Agency method 537.1 mandates summing linear and branched isomers against the linear calibration curve.
- Start-up kits and method implementation
•    Agency methods 544 and 533 use different column chemistries. 
•    Bundling these consumables ensures the laboratory has the correct stationary phases and per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances "(PFAS)-free" hardware immediately upon installation.