This is not an invitation for bid.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant and Health Inspection Services is interested in potential sources for a complete dual choice olfactometer system, with two types of Y-tube options, one that is smooth glass, and one that is etched glass , odor delivery system, and odor collection systems.

The apparatus must meet strict specifications for size and shape to allow for precisely controlled airflow, and must include an odor delivery system which humidifies, regulates, and purifies the air entering the system prior to introduction of compounds being tested. Therefore, a bubbler and the appropriate tubing is necessary. Apparatus should allow for adult wasps and their host plants to be held in odor collection chambers in order to collect headspace volatiles from them. Two volatile collection chambers are needed; one for males and one for females. One with etched glass to provide females with traction on glass surface, and one with smooth glass for males that are capable of walking on glass. Also needed are the necessary parts and connectors, and two guillotine volatile collection chambers which would allow for the collection of volatiles from living plants without damaging them. In addition to these collection chambers which can be used with SPME fibers, two types of volatile traps are needed, packed with either Poropak-Q or activated charcoal.

Basic Description

2 glass Y-tubes 34/28-F 90-deg. 34 mm ID
Y-tube adaptors
Y-tube clips
Air delivery system
2 humidifiers
Teflon tubing ¼"OD FLEXIBLE CONVOLUTED Teflon Tubing & ¼"OD Semi Flexible FEP-Teflon Tubing
2 volatile collection chambers 6"dia x10" tall
Lids, valves, clamps, adaptors
2 guillotine volatile collection chambers and parts 6"dia x 12tall
Poropak-Q traps ¼"
Activated charcoal traps ¼"

Interested sources that are capable of providing the equivalent supply listed above are encouraged to submit statements of capability along with any product literature and pricing to the contracting office. Small Business concerns are encouraged to participate. This is not a request for competitive proposals, but instead a market research method to determine interested sources and pricing. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. No requests for capability briefings will be honored as a result of this notice. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. Please provide Tax I.D. Number, Duns Number, point of contact information, past performance and references regarding your ability to provide this item and or service along with your Statement of Capability. The Government will not award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Information provided is strictly voluntary.

Please fax Statements of Capability to Carol Dingess at 612-336-3550 or email to [email protected]. Email is the preferred method of communication. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Closing date for submissions of Statement's of Capability is September 03, 2009 at 4:00PM ET.

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 334516 with a small business size standard of less than 500 employees