USDA, ARS, SAA intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, Partec GmbH, to provide one ploidy analyzer. This unit will be used to determine ploidy number of plants from breeding programs and also from wild populations, as well as quantify nuclear DNA content (genome size) of plants of interest. Unique requirements of the system are: unit must be capable of processing a diverse range of plant tissue (cell cultures, leaves, roots, seeds, and fruit tissue); unit must be able to provide determination of ploidy level, identify aneuploid cells (to one chromosome accuracy) as well as measure C-DNA content; unit must be able to process a sample in less than 3 minutes; software must be fully compatible with 32-bit Windows operation system and unit must be able to be networked with a Windows 2000 server. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Interested parties should submit written responses including prices and technical data sufficient to determine capability to meet the entire requirement and must be received in this office within 15 calendar days after publication of this notice. It should be noted that no contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a comparable source more advantageous to the Government is available. If no affirmative written responses are received, negotiations will be held with Partec GmbH without further notice. This acquisition is being conducted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The anticipated award date is June 10, 2002.
Bid Protests Not Available