The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) intends to award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 to TA Instruments, 159 Lukens Drive, New Castle, Delaware 19720-2765 for the purchase of a Rheometer  ARES- G2 for (1) measurement of viscosity and viscoelastic material characterization of feather fiber based biopolymers and biodiesels, (2) measurement of "pure" sample torque above the sample without the effect of motor inertia, (3) measurement of direct non-contact temperature of both upper and lower sample geometry, and (4) simultaneous acquisition of torque, actuator angular displacement, transducer angular displacement, axial force and a free option channel. The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact no later than 4:00 pm EST on December 28, 2009. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely on determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. No RFP will be issued based upon this Notice of Intent. Interested parties may submit any information for consideration by the Government to [email protected] . Please reference the solicitation number in all correspondence.

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