THIS IS A Sources Sought announcement Only. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. 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.

The USDA, ARS, Grape Genetics Research Unit in Geneva, New York requires the delivery of the Printersys Blackbird full robots, components, trays, and prototypes for full automation of sample loading, cutting, arraying, and unloading, to process 10,000 samples per day.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS.

              1.           Blackbird imaging system by Printersys: 

a.           The system must be a Blackbird system.

b.           The system must use a NikonZ7+FTZadapter.

c.           One additional Industrial Camera HR51CXGE must be provided, or equivalent (51-megapixel full frame color sensor, 24 frames per second, with standard adapters and connections)

d.           The system must use Laowa25mmf/2.82.5-5X and Intel NUC8i5BEK.

e.           The system must be able to use the Blackbird trays for sample analysis.

f.            The trays must be injection molded and conform to all dimensional specifications required by Blackbird imaging robots and grids.

g.           The grids must conform to all dimensional specifications required by Blackbird imaging robots and trays.

h.           The system must be able to be controlled by existing Blackbird controller software.

i.            The system must be able to be compatible with existing Blackbird analysis software.

j.            The system must be able to be automated for leaf disk cutting and sample loading and unloading for 4 trays.

k.           The system must provide full automation of sample loading, cutting, arraying, and unloading, to process 10,000 samples per day.

As part of its market research, USDA ARS is issuing this Sources Sought to determine if there exist an adequate number of qualified interested contractors capable of providing the requirement. The Government may use the responses to this Sources Sought for information and planning purposes. This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. No Request for Quote (RFQ) exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the RFQ. Responses to this Sources Sought are not quotes on which USDA ARS can issue any contract. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only and does not itself constitute an RFQ. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. All information received in response to this Sources Sought marked ""Proprietary"" will be protected and handled accordingly. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. Responses to the Sources Sought will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry. USDA ARS will not pay for information received in response to this Request. Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request. Please send responses with the subject heading: Blackbird Printersys [email protected] by 12/28/2022.