The Midwest Area for the Agricultural Research Service of the United States Department of Agriculture intends to issue an award to TA Instruments, 109 Lukens Drive, New Castle, DE 19720. This is a sole source procurement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The machine needed is of a patent pending design which features heat flux design and has dual sampling capabilities. The Cereal Products and Food Science Research Unit, NCAUR, Peoria, IL requires one (01) Q1000 Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter with autosampler and mass flow control with patent pending Tzero technology (Part No. 970000.DM4). The following features are needed: 1) Heat Flux Design; 2) Dual sampler; 3) Must be upgradable to modulated DSC; 4) Must have temperature detectors directly beneath the sample and reference postitions; 5) Must allow temperature range of -180 to 725 degrees C (total) with ambient to 725 degrees C (air cooling) and -90 to 600 degrees C for mechanical cooling and -180 to 550 degrees C for Liquid N2 Cooling; 6) Temperature accuracy plus or equal to 0.1 degree C; and 7) Must accommodate Photocalorimeter Accessory. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Interested parties should submit written responses including prices and technical data sufficient to determine capability to meet the entire requirement and must be received in this office within 10 calendar days after publication of this notice. It should be noted that no contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a comparable source more advantageous to the Government is available. If no affirmative written responses are received, negotiations will be held with TA Instruments without further notice. This acquisition is being conducted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The anticipated award date is April 28, 2004.

Bid Protests Not Available