Monitoring Photosynthesis for Plant Health
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a commercialization partner for a Monitoring Photosynthesis for Plant Health. ORNL Office of Technology Transfer is now accepting licensing applications tough November 15, 2019. Sun-Induced chlorophyll Fluorescence (SIF) is the fluorescence that is emitted by a photosynthetic body during photosynthesis. Studying this fluorescence enables researchers to understand how different plants react to changing environmental conditions. However, monitoring SIF is notoriously difficult to do because solar irradiance inhabits the same spectrum range as SIF, and is about 100X stronger. What is needed is a device that is able to monitor SIF while filtering out solar irradiance, while being autonomous and automatic. Researchers at ORNL have developed a device that is capable of meeting this need. FAME (Fluorescence Auto-Measurement Equipment) monitors an area ranging in size from a single plant to an entire canopy, and is completely autonomous and automatic. FAME effectively monitors SIF while filtering out solar irradiance. FAME has a unique advantage in that it can simultaneously monitor any environmental factors that a researcher might need. Applications for FAME range from crop management and yield forecast to forest water stress and fire risk analysis. FAME has been tested at the Missouri Ozark AmeriFlux site for 3 months, and the gathered data was of very high quality. FAME can be remotely accessed via its built-in communications system, and calibrations and data downloads can be done tough this system. ORNL is seeking partners in the agricultural or environmental testing market that are actively engaged in producing photosynthesis measuring devices. Intellectual Property: Invention Disclosure No. 201703845: Fluorescence Auto-Measurement Equipment (FAME) Patent Application No. 15/638,473 Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Oak Ridge National Laboratory is managed by UT-Battelle, LLC, for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Prime Contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725. Additional Information: National Laboratory Licensing Guide: https://www.ornl.gov/partnerships/licensing-guidelines. ORNL License Application: https://www.ornl.gov/sites/default/files/license_application_0.pdf. Please contact Nestor Franco, Commercialization Manager, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 865-574-0534, francone@ornl.gov with any questions on the opportunity or to obtain a license application. Please contact Lianhong Gu, Distinguished Research Scientist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 865.241.5925, lianhong-gu@ornl.gov with any questions about the technology.
ORNL-TT-2019-05 Department of Energy
10/15/19, 10:07 AM Notice of intent to sole source: Costanza Orchards
Notice of intent to sole source: Costanza Orchards THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. USDA/ARS/PWS intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) with Costanza Orchards to purchase Beehives to be delivered overnight truck to USDA-Tucson, AZ. The Sole Source Determination is based only one responsible source, and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can fully meet the government’s requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the buyer via email lam.pham@usda.gov within 3 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely with the discretion of the government. Oral communication is not acceptable in response to this notice.
12905B20R987262 Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Field Research Implementation and Information Delivery Pacific West Area
12/13/19, 9:42 AM Five Frame Nuclear Beehive Rental
Added: Apr 18, 2017 2:56 pm This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. The solicitation number is AG-32SC-S-17-0025 and is issued as an invitation for bids (IFB), unless otherwise indicated herein. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect tough Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-87. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 112910. This requirement does not have a set aside.The USDA, ARS, Plant Genetic Resource Unit (PGRU) requires the following supply: Rental of five frame nuclear beehives on a seasonal basis for pollination per the attached Statement of Work. This is a base year plus four option year contract. Pricing on the attached SF 1449 shall be completed and included with bid.*AWARD WILL BE BASED ON THE BEST VALUE TO THE GOVERNMENT, USING THE LOWEST PRICED TECHNICALLY ACCEPTABLE EVALUATION CRITERIA.Bid should include pricing on company letterhead, to include DUNS number. Pricing should be per unit/each price. Failure to comply with the below terms and conditions may result in offer being determined as non-responsive. This solicitation requires registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award, pursuant to applicable regulations and guidelines. Registration information can be found at www.sam.gov. EFFECTIVE JAN 2005, all offerors are required to use Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) to respond to federal solicitations. To register in ORCA, please go to www.bpn.gov/orca. You must be active in the Central Contractor Registration (www.ccr.gov) and have a Marketing Partner Identification Number (MPIN), to register in ORCA. Failure to register in ORCA may preclude an award being made to your company. The selected Offeror must comply with the following commercial item terms and conditions, which are incorporated herein by reference: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items - the selected offeror must submit a completed copy of the listed representations and certifications; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items, FAR 52.217-9 Option to Extend the Term of the Contract, paragraph (a) and the following clauses in paragraph (b): 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.225-13, 52.232-34. The full text of the referenced FAR clauses may be accessed electronically at http://www.acqnet.gov/far. FAR 52.209-11 Representation by Corporations Regarding Delinquent Tax Liability or a Felony Conviction under any Federal Law. FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons. Questions relating to this solicitation shall be sent to Kristen Turner via email at Kristen.turner@ars.usda.gov no later than 12:00 PM Eastern on 04/25/2017. A modification will be issued answering questions. Bids shall be sent via email to Kristen Turner at Kristen.turner@ars.usda.gov no later than 12:00 PM Eastern on 05/02/2017.
AG-32SC-S-17-0025-1 Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Central Program Planning Coordination and Support
4/18/17, 2:56 PM Full Size Italian Honey Bee Colonies for ARS Tucson, AZ
This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This solicitation is issued as a result of sources sought notice ID 12905B20210121001PF. The solicitation number is 12905B21Q0008 and is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), unless otherwise indicated herein. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 112910. Requirements: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service ¿ 2000 E Allen Rd, Tucson, AZ has issued this sources sought announcement in order to determine if there are existing businesses sources capable of providing full size bee colonies, sold and delivered directly to the ARS location listed. The complete requirement is for full sized Italian honey bee colonies; each colony is a single 10 frame deep Langstroth hive with bees, brood, an Italian queen, honey, and pollen. The colonies must come with a wooden Langstroth hive body, a migratory lid, and a temporary screened bottom board. All frames must be drawn with honeycomb. Full sized colonies will come directly from almond pollination and be delivered by truck overnight to the Tucson Carl Hayden Bee Research Center. Delivery is dependent upon release of bees out of almond contracts, and will occur no later than March 26-29. The location will require 125 full colonies. AGAR Clauses 452.211-71 Equal Products Offered. As prescribed in 411.171, insert the following or substantially the same clause in solicitations seeking offers on a "brand name or equal" basis to allow offerors the opportunity to clearly identify the "equal" item being offered, and to illustrate how that item meets the salient characteristics requirements of the Government. EQUAL PRODUCTS OFFERED (NOV 1996) (a) Offerors proposing to furnish an "equal" product, in accordance with the "Brand Name or Equal" provision of this solicitation, shall provide the following information for each offered "equal" product: Contract Line Item Number (if any): _____________________________ Brand Name or Equal Product identified by the Government in this solicitation: _____________________________________ Offered Product Name: _______________________________________ Catalog Description or part number: _____________________________ Manufacturer's Name: ________________________________________ Manufacturer's Address: ______________________________________ (b) Offerors are responsible for submitting all additional information on the above product necessary for the Contracting Officer to determine whether the product offered meets the "brand name or equal" product's salient characteristics listed in the solicitation. (End of Clause) Solicitation 12905B21Q0008 is issued as a RFQ. The solicitation document, with the attached clauses and provisions, is issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and will be incorporated in the awarded firm-fixed price purchase order. Interested vendors should reference the solicitation documents for all terms and conditions. All interested parties are responsible for monitoring this website to ensure they have the most current information (i.e. Amendments) for the solicitation. No paper solicitation will be available. Question Submission: Interested Offerors must submit any questions concerning the solicitation at the earliest time possible to enable the Buyer to respond. Address ALL questions in WRITING to the issuing o¿¿ice via email to paige.francis@usda.gov, referencing the solicitation number. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. The offeror must comply with the following commercial item terms and conditions: FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation. Provisions Incorporated by Reference; FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications; FAR 52.211-6, Brand name or Equal. Quote Submission Instructions: 1. Read the solicitation in its entirety (including the Specifications documents). 2. The quote should include any other documentation deemed necessary such as references. 3. Quotes must be submitted via email by 05:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Friday February 5th, 2021, by email to paige.francis@usda.gov. Quote submission MUST reference solicitation number 12905B21Q0008 in the subject line. 4. This is a Best Value Acquisition. Award of the contract resulting from this solicitation will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal offers the "best value" to the Government, which may not necessarily be the quote offering the lowest price nor the highest technical advantage. In the event two or more offerors within the competitive range are considered essentially equal in terms of technical competence, the Government reserves the right to award to the offeror with the lowest realistic price. FAR 15.101-2 5. The Government may elect to conduct discussions with offerors whose quotes are technically acceptable (or which may be expected to be made acceptable by moderate modification) and fall within the competitive price range. The Government reserves the right, however, to award a contract based on initial offers without conducting discussions. Therefore, each quote should be submitted in the most favorable terms, from a price and technical standpoint. See FAR 9.104-1. 6. USDA-ARS is Tax Exempt. Tax Exemption Certificate: 720564834F. 7. GSA discounts: The USDA is requesting that schedule contractors extend additional discounts to the USDA when making responses to this solicitation. GSA contract schedule holders are able to offer one-time discounts from established Schedule contracts. Schedule contractors can give one buying member a discount without passing the discount on to the entire federal government. This provision allows the contractor to offer and the government to avail itself of spot pricing in the commercial market. 8. Contractor must be registered at SAM.gov (System for Award Management) at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/ prior to quote submission. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. All quotes must be FOB Destination. Please respond with a firm fixed price quote to the email address below. Offerors are encouraged to provide discounts in their pricing. The Government will evaluate prices offered for reasonableness in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a) - Basis for Award. The clause 52.214-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items and 52.214-5, Contract Terms and Conditions required to implement Statues or Executive Orders-- Commercial Items, apply to this acquisition. Commercial Items Clauses are attached. SUBMIT QUOTE TO: paige.francis@usda.gov
12905B21Q0008 Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service Field Research Implementation and Information Delivery Pacific West Area
1/29/21, 12:18 PM