Sources Sought.doc

(1) Action Code :

SOURCES SOUGHT

This is a Sources Sought Notice only. This is not a request for proposal, but a survey to locate potential sources. This Sources Sought does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or a Request for Quotations, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an order or otherwise pay for the information solicited, nor is it a guarantee of a forthcoming solicitation or contract. It is for market research purposes only. Respondents will not be notified of the results of the evaluation.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities, and qualifications of various members of industry, to include the Small Business Community: Small Business, Section 8(a), Historically Underutilized Business Zones (HUB-Zone), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB). The Government must ensure there is adequate competition among the potential pool of responsible contractors. Small business, Section 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, & EDWOSB businesses are highly encouraged to participate.

(2) Date: 26 June 2025

(3) Classification Code: 66

(4) NAICS Code: 333415

(5) NAICS Size Standard: 1,250 Employees

(6) Contracting Office Address:

2800 Powder Mill Road Bldg. 601 Adelphi, Maryland 20783

(7) Subject: Sources Sought for One (1) Freeze Dryer

(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: To be Determined

(9) Sources Sought Closing Response Date: 07 July 2025

(10) Contact Point: Meghan Dumler, Contract Specialist, meghan.d.dumler.civ@army.mil Alternate Point of Contact: Zachary Dowling, Contracting Officer, Zachary.a.dowling2.civ@army.mil (11)

A. Objective:

To find sources that are qualified to meet the supplies/services as listed in section 11B. Note that the specific requirements in section C are subject to change prior to the release of any solicitation.

B. In an effort to conduct research the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) requires quantity one (1) freeze dryer. The Contractor shall provide freeze dryer that:

· Shall be a mobile system on wheels/be castor mounted.

· Shall be no larger than 36x48x72 inches WxDxH.

· Shall have a condenser capacity equal to or greater than 12 Liters (L) of ice.

· Shall have a condenser able to reach temperatures of -52 Degrees Celsius (ºC) or less.

· Shall have a maximum ice deposition rate of at least 0.4L/hour.

· Shall have a condenser able to perform hot gas defrost.

· Shall contain at least three (3) shelves with temperature control in a range of at least -45ºC to +65ºC with uniformity of +/- 1 ºC.

· Individual shelves shall be at least one (1) square foot and have at least four (4) inches of clearance above them.

· Shall include three (3) bulk material trays for shelves, fitting to the shelves of the unit.

· Shall include a vacuum break valve.

· Shall contain and include necessary vacuum pump that is corrosion resistant.

· Shall be able to achieve a vacuum of 20 millitorr (mTorr) or lower.

· Shall have a vacuum time to 100mTorr of 30 minutes or faster.

· Shall not require external hookups for cooling or valve manipulation.

· Shall have both a capacitance monometer and Pirani gauge for determination of end point of drying.

· Shall have all wetted parts be assembled from corrosion resistant materials such as 316 stainless steel.

· Shall include at least four (4) temperature sensors/thermocouples for determining the temperature of material.

· Shall have software to assist in development of drying process, determine endpoint of primary drying, shall be able to progress steps based on detected criteria, and shall automatically test system for leaks and predict maintenance.

· Shall be Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) or UL certified for use in the U.S.A. with 240 Volt (V) single phase electrical systems.

· Shall be delivered FOB Destination to the Army Research Center (ALC), Adelphi Maryland 20783

· Shall provide startup assistance and training that is onsite

· Delivery shall be made eight (8) weeks after contract award (ACA).

C. Responses:

All interested parties should notify this office in writing, mail, fax, or e-mail within the posted date. Responses shall include:

(I) To what extent each of the specifications can be met.

(II) Include your type of business (i.e. commercial, academia), whether your organization is classified as a large or small business based on the 1,250 employee standard that accompanies NAICS code 333415. If a small business, you must also list any small disadvantaged status you hold [HUBZone, 8(a), Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), Women Owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB), etc.].

(III) Past experience/ performance through the description of completed projects.

(12) Responses to this sources sought are due no later than 1159 eastern standard time 07 July 2025. Submissions should be emailed to Meghan Dumler (meghan.d.dumler.civ@army.mil). Mailed submissions can be sent to the address in block 7, ATTN: Meghan Dumler.

Questions concerning this sources sought may be directed to Meghan Dumler at meghan.d.dumler.civ@army.mil or Zachary Dowling at Zachary.a.dowling2.civ@army.mil. Please be advised that .zip and .exe files cannot be accepted.

(13) Place of Delivery: Adelphi Laboratory Center (ALC), Adelphi, Maryland 20783

(14) Estimated Delivery Timeframe or Period of Performance: Eight (8) weeks after contract award (ACA)

Last updated 2/13/2017