The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), US Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis to Applied Biosystems for a MicroSEQ 7500 Fast Food Pathogen Detection System that includes the 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR instrument with a PC tower computer and the RapidFinder Express software v 1.0 as well as the FG Tool, cap installing and Precision Plate Holder for MicroAMP tube strips; under the authority of FAR 6.302-1. The Meat Safety & Quality Research Unit is collaborating with the USDA FSIS on detection of non-O157 Shiga Toxin producing E coli (STEC), as well as evaluating other non-O157 STEC methods.  The FSIS has published the accepted reference method stating the use of the ABI 7500 realtime qPCR machine.  In order to fully evaluate STEC detection methods (with comparison to reference method) and advance the USMARC-FSIS collaboration, the specified system is required to perform the reference method at USMARC.  This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotations or proposals. No solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can provide this equipment are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Officer within 10 days of publication of this notice. All information received within 10 days of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government to determine if the alternative equipment meets the Government's requirements and is capable of performing the intended task(s). All responses must be in writing and may be faxed to the attention of Donita Furman, fax 402-762-4145, or email at [email protected]. Questions concerning this acquisition must be directed to Donita Furman, email [email protected].