The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Beltsville Agriculture Research Center (BARC) is conducting market research to gather information relating to the lease, purchase, or lease with an option to purchase of a Forage Harvester. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTES OR PROPOSALS. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this sources sought notice or reimburse the costs incurred by potential offerors in providing the information requested herein. Potential vendors are encouraged to submit information demonstrating they could meet the requirements stated below, as well as any further information that potential vendors feel will benefit the government in planning for this requirement. In addition, submissions should include the following: (1) Name of vendor; (2) Contact information (address, telephone, facsimile, e-mail) and (3) Business size and classification (small, large, small-disadvantaged, SBA-certified 8(a), HUBZone, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran, Native American, etc.). 1. The harvester shall have a 435 h.p. or greater diesel engine; 2. Hydrostatic transmission; 3. Rotating rotary air screen with dust ejection system; 4. Pressurized operator’s cab with heating, air conditioning and pneumatic suspension seat; 5. Metal detector; 6. Automatic sharpener; 7. Reversible shear bar; 8. In cab automatic sheer bar adjustment; 9. Electro-hydraulically controlled spout; 10. Crop processor with quick removal feature and mechanical roller adjustment; 11. Power rear axle with 540/65 - R24 or better tires, 30.5 R32 166 A8 or better drive tires; 12. Central greasing kit; 13. AM/FM radio; 14. Automatic steering in corn; 15. Quick attachment mounting for: Minimum of twelve (12) foot windrow pickup unit including reverse with quick attach mounting to fit harvester. Minimum of 14' 8" row independent corn header with quick attach mounting to fit harvester. 16. Liquid innoculant applicator to include tank, pump, and in-cab electric rate controller. At this time, there is no definitive date when a solicitation will be issued, nor quotes/proposals due. Businesses should submit an electronic copy of the requested information to Andrew Sullivan, Contract Specialist, via e-mail [email protected], or by delivery to USDA/ARS/BARC/P&CS, Building 003, RM 329, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705-2350 no later than August 23, 2006.

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