CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES
Type of Notice: Sources Sought
Title: 12905B24SS0063 – Sources Sought for In Vitro Digestion Unit
Description:
This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. This requirement is covered under NAICS code 334516. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses; Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.
Explanation of Requirement:
USDA-ARS, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station is seeking an in vitro incubation digestion system for analyzing biogas production and in-vitro digestibility studies using processed feeds and/or grazing forages, like the BPC (Bioprocess Control) Instruments Gas Endeavour III standard system, or equivalent. Specific analysis framework for the device will be to simulate digestion in ruminants and quantify methane and other gases produced during digestion.
Quotes must include delivery to Dubois, ID, 83423.
At minimum required specifications:
The system consists of a sample incubation unit, ex-situ gas absorption unit, and flow-cell meter array with data acquisition unit.
The sample incubation unit must:
Have an adjustable temperature controller to reach a 60oC bath with a precision of 0.2 o C.
Accommodate eighteen (18) 500-mL individual reactor vessels each fitted with gas-flow closures paired with adjustable-speed (0 – 220 rpm) batch-solution rotary agitators.
The ex-situ gas absorption unit must hold eighteen (18) 250-mL individual gas trap bottles fitted with gas-flow closures.
The flow-cell meter array and data acquisition unit must:
Accommodate independent gas flow measurements from 18 test reactor vessels.
Have a measuring resolution of 2 mL per cell with each 2-mL cell having: 1) a measuring range of 0.2 – 1500 mL/h, 2) a detection capacity of up to 1600 L cumulative gas for each batch test, and 3) a measurement CV not to exceed 3%.
System controller and analysis software accessible via installed software on a computer or web browser on a device and allow raw data downloads.
Limited warranty
Value added Additional Options. Please indicate if these options are included in the base unit price or if they are available at an additional cost:
Extended comprehensive warranty and support
Recommended accessories and replacement parts
The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government.
Capability Statement
All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government. Business concerns that possess the capabilities necessary to undertake this work should submit complete documentation of their capabilities to the Contracting Officer. Capability statements shall include the Contractors contact point to discuss their response.
The capability statement should include:
1) Acknowledgement that they are able to provide the subject supplies/services being requested;
2) Interested vendors should identify their size standards in accordance with the Small Business Administration;
3) At least three previous requirements that are similar to the requirement include a discussion of the Contract type, delivery method, duration, etc.;
4) Any other information considered relevant to this requirement; and
5) The government requests that no proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in the response.
Any vendor responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine their qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, a combined synopsis/solicitation may be published on sam.gov depending on the responses received.
All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by the notice’s POC, Contract Specialist Amber Henderson, amber.henderson@usda.gov by the deadline in order to be considered. Responses may not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.
