Procurement of a tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer with a GC system

The Bavarian State Office for the Environment in Germany from Europe region has released this tender for The tender covers the acquisition of a mass spectrometer with a GC-MS/MS system, primarily for the analysis of pyrethroids. These are highly effective insecticides that have negative effects on humans and the environment even at very low concentrations (pg/L). Directive 2026/805 of March 30, 2026, defines five pyrethroids as priority substances, making measurements of these substances in surface waters mandatory from the end of 2027. The maximum permitted annual average concentrations (AAC) in surface water are as follows: Substance AAC (pg/L) Bifenthrin 9 Cypermethrin 30 Deltamethrin 1.7 Esfenvalerate 17 Permethrin 270 The limits of detection (LODs) for the individual analytes should be a maximum of 30% of the OAC to ensure compliance with the OAC values. Therefore, detection limits (DLs) in the lower pg/L range are required for these substances. For example, a target DL of 0.3 x 1.7 pg/L = approximately 0.5 pg/L is derived for deltamethrin. These extremely low limits of detection place very high demands on laboratory analysis. Besides extremely precise and blank-free procedures, efficient sample preparation and concentration, this primarily includes the use of a highly sensitive measuring system. Due to their chemical properties, pyrethroids cannot be detected with sufficient sensitivity using high-performance chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS systems). Instead, gas chromatographic separation of the substances with subsequent mass spectrometry (GC-MS) must be employed. There are various methods for coupling GC and MS systems and employing ionization techniques. The systems currently in routine operation are based on three different methods: LV-EI (Large Volume Electron Ionization), NCI (Negative Chemical Ionization), and APCI (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization). With the corresponding ionization techniques and MS systems used, different limits of detection for pyrethroids can be achieved with the same sample preparation. For surface water, based on the results of our own measurements and reports from national and international working groups on pyrethroid analysis, the following limits of detection can be achieved for deltamethrin using these systems: LV-EI: approx. 100 pg/L; NCI: approx. 50 pg/L; APGC (Waters): approx. 10 pg/L. This demonstrates that APCI systems achieve significantly lower limits of detection and are the only systems capable of detecting concentrations required due to the low EQN values. The ionization technology of APCI in combination with GC-MS systems is offered by several manufacturers (Waters, Agilent, Bruker). However, the specific requirements of the highly sensitive pyrethroid analysis are only met by the source company, [Company Name].The APGC source from Waters GmbH, when coupled with a correspondingly high-sensitivity triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, fulfills the requirements. While APCI sources from other manufacturers can also be combined with mass spectrometers (high-resolution systems), this is not routinely possible with the more sensitive triple quadrupole mass spectrometers. Only the coupling of GC-APCI with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, due to its high selectivity and sensitivity, allows for the reliable detection of pyrethroids in the legally required low pg/L range. This unique position of the very high sensitivity of the Waters GmbH systems has been confirmed through intensive exchange with other laboratories already performing pyrethroid analysis. The detection capability of the APGC-MS system from Waters GmbH is demonstrated by a peak-to-peak signal-to-noise ratio > 20 with an injection of 500 ag (atogram) of 2,3,7,8 TCDD on-column. Other suppliers do not achieve this required sensitivity with their systems. with tender notice no. 678412-2026 published on 07 Oct 2026. The tender is due to expire on 31 Dec 2026. This tender is sourced from TED Europa and is eligible for suppliers interested in Gas chromatographs. Interested bidders can obtain further information including complete bid documents or ways to participate by registering on Tender Impulse and referencing via Tender Impulse ID 15300748.