THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY and a SOLICITATION IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Government. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary. The government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred associated to this request for capability information.

USDA, ARS, NADC is seeking a contractor to provide a Bioscreen C Automated Microbiology Growth Curve Analysis System. BRAND NAME EQUAL or better makes will be accepted for consideration, provided the following must-have minimum characteristics are met:

1) Constant 0 - 60 degrees Celsius temperatures are evenly provided to all wells in the microplate(s).
2) Measures turbidity with a white 450-580nm wide wavelength filter
3) Wavelength filters of 405nm, 420nm, 450nm, 492nm, 540nm, 580nm, 600nm
4) Analyzes samples in aerobic, anaerobic, and microaerophillic environments
5) Software converts OD measurements to growth curves with minimal user input required
6) Zero sample condensation or evaporation
7) Test length up to 365 days

The Bioscreen C JOFOC is attached to this posting.

This sources sought request is being used as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to provide the product(s) required. The result of this market research will contribute to determining whether there are adequate sources available from which to receive competitive proposals for this set aside.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code to be assigned to this procurement is 334516.

Submission Instructions: Interested Businesses, with active SAM records (www.sam.gov), who consider themselves qualified to provide the listed product(s) are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 8:00 AM (Central Time) March 20, 2013. If your organization has the appropriate qualifications and capacity to provide a qualifying product(s), please provide a complete and current record of your Single Award Management (SAM) listing including DUNS number, Organization name, address, contact name, email address, Web site address, telephone number, type of organization, small business type (if any), etc. to the point of contact below.

Potential sources only submit the minimum information necessary and no more than ten (10) pages. The SAM record does not count toward the 10 page maximum.

All questions or responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be sent to Matthew Treska, Purchasing Agent via email [email protected], fax 515-337-7247, or mail USDA-ARS-NADC, 1920 Dayton Ave., Ames, IA 50010. All communication shall be in writing referencing AG-6125-SS-13-0002 preferably by email. No information will be taken by telephone.

THIS IS A NOTICE FOR SOURCES SOUGHT. No feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. However, sources may be contacted to gather additional information as required.

Bid Protests Not Available