Notice of Intent - The USDA, ARS, PA intends to award a sole source procurement to Gerstel, Inc., 701 Digital Drive, Suite J, Linthicum, MD 21090, as they are the sole source for this type Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer System pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c) (1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy agency Requirements. The award will be for a GC/MS system with an autosampler equipped to perform liquid, SPME, and headspace injections that will be required to analyze the chemical composition of wheat and sorghum grain and volatile mixtures emitted from stored grain. Further, this instrument will be used in conjunction with electroantennogram (EAD) equipment to monitor insect antennal responses to grain volatiles. We require an autosampler that is easily programmable and whose software interfaces seamlessly with software used to operate the GC without the use of complicated scripts, macros, or third-party software applications. We also require an autosampler that can be programmed to perform serial dilutions for methods development and can be easily modified to accommodate the following injection/extraction protocols that will be useful for identifying trace volatiles emitted from stored grain: dynamic headspace sampling, thermal desorption, and sorptive extraction techniques, such as Twister^TM. In order to interface with the EAD equipment to monitor antennal responses to volatile components separated by the GC, we also require a GC instrument in which an after-market heated transfer line can be installed. Gerstel is the sole source for this equipment that satisfies all of these criteria and meets the requirements of our research. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about July 28, 2016, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This Notice of Intent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 4:00PM central time, July 27, 2016. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries should be mailed to the Contracting Officer at the following address:

Contracting Office Address:
USDA-ARS
P.O. Box 225
141 Experiment Station Road
Stoneville, MS. 38776-0225