C04b Attachment 1 Salient Characteristics 1284LM26Q0137.docx

This is a salient characteristics specification document for a cryogenic controlled rate freezer required by the USDA-ARS Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center in Almyra, Arkansas. The equipment must be capable of freezing biological samples with precise cooling rates down to -180°C to ensure high cell viability and reproducible cryopreservation. Key technical specifications include the ability to freeze straws up to 60 units, achieve cooling rates ranging from 0.01°C/min to -50°C/min, and heating rates from 0.01°C/min to 10°C/min. The freezer must include a programmable controller for cooling steps, weigh no more than 20 kilograms for field portability, and integrate with a dewar through a connecting hose.

The solicitation (1284LM26Q0137) is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under FAR Part 12 for commercial items and constitutes a Total Small Business Set-Aside with a size standard of 1,000 employees under NAICS Code 334516. The equipment must operate on standard 115V power and include onsite installation, training, and a minimum one-year full manufacturer's warranty. Quotations should be submitted via email to joanne.meiers@usda.gov, with delivery required to Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center at 2955 Highway 130 East, Almyra, Arkansas 72003. No separate written solicitation will be issued, and all responsible sources may submit quotations for consideration.