THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NNOTICE ONLY and a SOLICITATION IS NOTCURRENTLY AVAILABLE. This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the Government. This request for capability information does not constitute a request for proposals. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary. The government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred associated to this request for capability information. USDA, ARS, National Center Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR), Peoria, IL is seeking a contractor to provide a bench-top rheometer to support the Plant Polymer Research Unit. The NCAUR is issuing this "sources sought" to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to provide a bench-top rheometer with the following specifications:

1. instrument will be able to fit on a standard lab bench/table

2. Instrumentation must be able to carry out measurements without technician being present

3. Consumables readily available

4. Instrumentation must be capable of performing rheology on solutions with the following specifications:
a. Min Torque (nN.m) Osc 10 or less
b. Min Torque (nN.m) Rot 50 or less
c. Max Torque (mN.m) 150 or more
d. Torque Resolution (nN.m) 0.5 or less
e. Min Frequency (Hz) 1 x 10-6 or less
f. Max Frequency (Hz) 100 or more
g. Max Normal Force (N) 50 or more
h. Temp Range (C) -10-120 or wider
i. Peltier heater/cooler system
j. Solvent trap to limit solvent loss included

5. Instrumentation must be able to perform dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) with the following specifications:
a. Min torque (mN-m) (Oscillation) 10 or less
b. Min torque (mN-m) (steady shear) 20 or less
c. Min torque resolution (mN) 0.5 or less
d. Maximum torque (mN-m) 150 or more
e. Minimum frequency (Hz) 1 x 10-7 or more
f. Maximum angular velocity (rad/sec) 300 or more 
g. Displacement resolution (nrad) 10 or less 
h. Maximum force sensitivity (N) 50 or more 
i. Normal force sensitivity (N) 0.01 or less
j. Normal force resolution (mN) 1 or less
k. Temperature range (C) -10 - 180 or wider

6. Be upgradable to perform DMA under a controlled humidity environment, 10-80% humidity range over temperature range of 10-50 C, using one controller/program using equipment from the original manufacturer.

7. Be upgradable to achieve wider temperature range of -125 to 600 C.

Our market research suggested that the specifications could be met through a single unit or two units, either option will be considered.
The result of this market research will contribute to determining whether there are adequate sources available from which to receive competitive quotes.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code to be assigned to this procurement is 334516.

Submission Instructions: Interested parties, who consider themselves qualified to provide the product as detailed are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notice by 12:00pm CST, December 29, 2014. If your organization has appropriate qualifications and capacity to provide this product, please provide the following information: (1) A complete and "active registration in SAM (System for Award Management) database which includes DUNS number, Organization name, address, contact name, email address, Web site address, telephone number, type of organization, small business type (if any), etc; (2) A list of previous customers (Federal Preferred) which were provided products similar in nature (3) Color Product Literature showing the features of varying models, types and functions of ***Rheometers*** which the company has available. Request potential sources only submit the minimum information necessary.

All questions or responses under this Sources Sought Notice shall be sent to Christine Gunterman, Purchasing Agent, via email [email protected], fax 309-681-6682, or mail USDA-ARS-NCAUR, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL, 61604. All communication shall be in writing referencing AG-51LA-SS-15-0001 preferably by email. No information will be taken by telephone.

THIS IS A NOTICE FOR SOURCES SOUGHT. No feed back or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions. However, NCAUR may contact sources to gather additional information as needed.

 

 

Bid Protests Not Available