Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, SEA intends to award a sole source procurement to LECO CORPORATION, 3000 Lakeview Avenue St. Joseph, MI 49085 as they are the sole source for these types of products/services pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(l ) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

The award will be to purchase the following product/services:

The USDA, ARS, Food Science and Market Quality & Handling Research Unit in Raleigh, NC requires a LECO GC-HRT+ 4D system (High Resolution Time of Flight with GCxGC Mass Spectrometry system).

SEE DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS ATTACHED.

The Food Science and Market Quality & Handling Research Unit in Raleigh, NC requires a comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry system to replace the aging system that will be obsolete in the coming year (end of 2021). This instrument is necessary to ensure continuity of research as the analytical platform for metabolite profiling studies in pickled vegetables, peanut, and sweet potato, and is required to complete the mission critical studies planned for two NP306 project plans. High mass accuracy and software to enable the identification of unknown compounds is a critical element in the new system, since ~80% of the compounds detected with our existing instrument have not been previously identified. This additional feature is required to advance our current capabilities to identify the full complement of small molecules that impact food quality and health-promoting potential.

Leco Corporation is the sole manufacturer and supplier of fully integrated, high resolution comprehensive two-dimensional gas-chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometers with full mass range scan rates and software sufficient for accurate deconvolution of mass spectra for four-dimensional separation of components, necessary for simultaneously profiling thousands of compounds in complex biological matrices. This analytical instrument is unique in its capabilities and operation and serves as a replacement to the existing equipment that research unit has spent the last 15 years developing expertise in its use.

The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about September 7, 2021.  This Notice of lntent 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 2:00 PM central time, September 7, 2021. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the points of contact listed:

Place of Performance:
USDA/ARS/Food Science and Market Quality & Handling Research Unit
322 Schaub Hall Box 7624, NC State University Raleigh, NC  27695

Primary Point of Contact:
Shalunda S. Mix
Contract Specialist
[email protected]