Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Pressure Cell for Starch Analysis and Sensor for Pressure Cell

This pre-solicitation notice is in accordance with FAR 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Action. This is a notice of intent to make a sole source award and is not a solicitation or request for competitive quotes.This award will be made utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with: Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-1(b)(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. (i) Contracting Officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deems only one source reasonably available.The USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research’s (NCAUR) Plant Polymer Research (PPR) in Peoria, IL has a need for a pressure cell and sensor capable of fitting on their current Starch Pasting Cell which is attached to an Rheometer all of which is manufactured by Anton-Parr USA, Inc. The USDA-ARS MWA Procurement Office in Peoria, IL on behalf of the NCAUR Office in Peoria, IL intends

to make a firm fixed price, sole source award under the authority of FAR 13.106-l(b)(l)(i), only one responsible source, to:Anton Paar USA, Inc.10215 Timber Ridge Dive,Ashland, VA 23005The objective of this sole source award is to procure a pressure cell and sensor capable of fitting on a Starch Pasting Cell attached to a Rheometer manufactured by Anton-Parr which meet the following required specifications.The vendor is to provide pressure cell equipment that allows starch to be gelatinized at high temperature/pressure and MUST be able to fit onto the Starch Pasting Cell which is attached to a Rheometer manufactured by Anton-Parr. This cell must fit into the equipment and instrument already purchased. The cell must be able to heat samples to a minimum of 140°C, which will require the ability to operate at high pressure. This second cell will allow more experiments to be run each day. A pressure sensor that will accurately measure pressure in the cell system is also required. This will increase the reproducibility of the experiments as both temperature and pressure can be monitored. Anton-Paar is the sole manufacturer and seller of equipment add-ons to their instrumentation.Starch pasting cells are used to evaluate how starches, from various sources, respond to temperature and mixing. This is used to define how much work is required to process starch for industrial or food applications. In addition, the equipment will be used to study the production of amylose inclusion complexes (AIC). These AIC’s have value in a number of applications including as surfactants, cellulosic modifiers and antimicrobials. Hight temperatures, 140°C or higher, are needed to produce AIC. The impact of ingredients, shear rate, time and temperature on the yield of AIC will be evaluated. At times, the AIC produced will gel, which requires a lengthy clean out of the cell. By having a second cell, additional runs can be performed each day while cleaning the other cell.The NAICS code for this requirement is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. The PSC code for this requirement is 6640.NO solicitation or solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive quotations; however, interested vendors that regard themselves as capable of providing products that can fulfill the requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement by NO later than Monday, April 18, 2022 (04/18/2022) at 5:00 PM Central Time to Aaron Dimeo at aaron.dimeo@usda.gov. NO phone calls will be accepted. The e-mail subject line shall include: 12505B22Q0074NOITSS.Any submission in response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence as well as be in sufficient enough detail to show that they can provide products that would meet the Government’s need and that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement.Again, this is NOT a request for competitive quotes. This notice is for informational purpose sonly. Responses received shall be considered by the agency; however, determination by the Government whether or not to compete this proposed award upon response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No reimbursement for any cost connected with providing capability information will be provided.