The USDA, ARS, MSA intends to award a sole source procurement to Burker Optics, Inc, 19 Fortune Drive, Billerica, MA 01821, as they are the sole source for an integrated cane preparation (shredder) and NIR system capable of evaluating large sub samples, pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy agency Requirements. The award will be for an NIR and conveyor system with an integrated cane shredder for our specific research in assing varying fiber and juice quality levels in sugarcane breeding populations. Bruker Optics, Inc. is the sole source of this type of processing and NIR spectrophotometer as the capabilities and method profiles for this instrument are unique to this system. Specifically, our sugarcane research unit requires an NIR system capable of processing 400 samples per day with minimal labor. The system must have the ability to integrate sample processing and NIR recording. It must also be capable of analyzing large and uncompressed subsamples (up to 15kg) with a conveyor system and the NIR must average across the entire sub-sample to minimize sub-sampling error and facilitate effective and efficient data collection. This system must reliably analyze all cane types including muddy or burnt cane. The system must be capable of fully integrating, processing, and analyzing stalks of sugarcane. It must be capable of utilizing base calibration curves already available by other sugarcane breeding programs around the world. The system must be capable of being easily maintained on-site by agency personnel. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about February 25, 2014. This Notice of Intent 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 4:00PM central time, February 24, 2014. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via mail to the Contracting Officer at the following address:

Contracting Office Address:
USDA-ARS-MSA
141 Experiment Station Road
Stoneville, MS. 38776-0225