Protecting the Environment Through Advanced Volatile Organic Compounds Analysis
The collaboration between DKSH and the Environmental Management Bureau in the Philippines resulted in the first successful installation of the Agilent Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) analysis in ambient air in the market. This milestone marks the first implementation of this technology in the market, enhancing environmental monitoring capabilities in the market.
Background
Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) is a government agency and a bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Philippines. The EMB is responsible for implementing environmental laws and protecting the environment. They formulate plans, programs, and environmental quality standards for the protection of the environment.
For years, EMB planned to acquire a Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (GC-MS) system to enhance its VOC monitoring capabilities. Agilent’s GC-MS was the preferred choice, and DKSH, as the exclusive distributor in the Philippines, was positioned to support this initiative.
Challenge
As a government agency, EMB was required to conduct a public tender. To meet the bidding requirements, DKSH had to collaborate with a local dealer in order to participate in the process.
While Agilent GC-MS was EMB’s preferred choice, a competitive pricing environment posed a challenge. Although our bid price was higher than the competitor’s, we fully complied with all the specifications required by EMB’s Bids and Awards Committee and the Technical Working Group, who evaluated the tender.
Another challenge was that Agilent did not have a dedicated Automated Sampler for VOC analysis in ambient air at the time of bidding. This gap in the offering posed a potential disadvantage.
Approach
Our sales representatives conducted extensive research to find a suitable VOC Autosampler. They identified Entech Instruments USA, a leading provider of autosamplers for volatile and semi-volatile organic compound analysis, with a strong track record of installations at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
We then offered a comprehensive solution package featuring the Agilent GCMS with the Entech Automated Sampler and accessories for VOC analysis in ambient air. This complete set up can analyze compounds listed in USA EPA Methods TO-14, TO-15, and TO-15A using canister-based sampling.
As an exclusive distributor of world-leading brands in GC-MS and automated samplers for VOC analysis, we provided installation, application training, preventive maintenance, and ongoing after-sales support in our bid offer.
With our expertise in Agilent Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry, we are equipped with trained service engineers and application specialists. We partner with Entech’s service engineers to provide full support for on-site installation and training of the instrument.
Result
DKSH was awarded this project due to our fully compliant and well-prepared bid. The competitor offering a lower price was disqualified during the post-evaluation stage for failing to meet the required bid criteria. This project marked the first successful installation of the Agilent GC-MS in the Philippines, completed in collaboration with Agilent Technologies Singapore and Entech Instruments USA.
EMB fully satisfied with the instrument’s performance. In less than a month, we successfully completed the installation and application training, all without any delays.
DKSH has been our long-time partner in Agilent Chromatography and they offer a comprehensive solution that meets our requirements. Additionally, DKSH provided excellent local support in terms of applications and services, which we truly appreciate.
– Sammy Aytona, RCh., Project Leader of the Environmental Laboratory Services Section at EMB-ERLSD
