Sources Sought Edible Oil Steam Distiller Deodorizer.pdf

Notice Type:

Sources Sought Notice

#12305B21SS1032329

SYNOPSIS:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Eastern Regional Research Center, Wyndmoor PA., requires an Edible Oil Steam Distiller / Deodorizer.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of issuing this Sources Sought Notice is to seek information from vendors with the capability of providing an Edible Oil Steam Distiller / Deodorizer. The equipment will be used to research purifying oils from food waste.

SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

General o System specifically designed for the vacuum steam distillation refining of edible oils, (not general-purpose equipment) o Capable of operations for removing trace odor compounds and free fatty acids o System specifically designed for pilot scale teaching, training, and research on edible oil refining. A system designed for commercial use does not meet the requirements.

o Designed to mimic industrial deodorization process, in terms mechanism of action, major mechanical components, and product characteristics, but on a teaching/training/research scale.

o Batch processing of oil. Equipment capable of both batch and continuous processing is acceptable o Flexible in operation to allow for the use of a wide variety of oils, and for studying the effects of the operating variables o Oil contact surfaces must be stainless steel (food industry standard) o Designed for indoor installation o Thorough documentation and adequate component labelling to facilitate use by non-experts

• Deodorizer vessel must have these characteristics:

o capable of processing crude oil loads in the range of 10-25 L. Equipment capable of accepting maximum loads greater that 35 L are not acceptable o electric heater capable of heating full load of oil to 250C o thermostatic control of oil temperature o capable of recording oil temperature over time o capability to cool deodorized oil o connections for vacuum, raw product input, steam input o sight glass for observation of oil o pressure gauge

• Filtration system must have these characteristics:

o Pressure leaf filter with capacity for at least 1L of filter cake o Polishing filter o Pressure gauge in filter feed line o Pump in filter feed line

• 2 stage vacuum pump

• Appropriate for 208V, 3 phase, 60 Hz power

• On site set up and testing of equipment and user training included

• Shipping included

• Warranty (Minimum one year)

Past performance

• Please provide evidence of past performance in design and manufacture of pilot scale equipment that is specifically intended for research or training in food industry unit operations (as opposed to commercial food production equipment).

• Please provide evidence of past performance in the form of answers to the following questionnaire, with the answers sent directly from previous customers to the Contracting Office. (See below) o Organization name, division:

o Contact information:

o Did your organization obtain an edible oil deodorizer from the vendor?

o Is this equipment capable of processing batches in the 10-25 L range?

o Is this equipment appropriate for training/research?

o In your organization’s experience, does this equipment successfully mimic production-scale deodorizers in operation and performance?

o Has the documentation and support provided by vendor been adequate for you to operate the equipment without undue difficulty? Please specify o What aspects of the equipment design, materials, or construction are less than satisfactory?

o Did you need to supply anything, other than utility connections and a PC, in order for this equipment to be fully functional?

NAICS: 334516

PSC: 6640

NOTE TO OFFERS:

This is not a request for proposals. This is a Sources Sought Notice intended for Market Research to determine interested and capable vendors prior to issuing a solicitation. Pricing information provided is for estimation purposes only. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice; the information received; nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide.

If you are an interested vendor, please provide the following information: 1.) Business name and point of contact; 2.) DUNS number and CAGE code; 3.) Business size; 4.) GSA Schedule number (if any); and 5.) A brief Statement of Capability (no more than three pages), which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above. In addition, include any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope.

Electronic responses are mandatory. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested vendors who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action, based on this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responses are due: See main posting page/website. Please email all responses to: Tiffany Pimble, Contract Specialist: Tiffany.Pimble@usda.gov

Contracting Office:

mailto:Tiffany.Pimble@usda.gov

U.S. Dept of Agriculture Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) 10300 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705 Wk: (301) 504-3761 tiffany.pimble@usda.gov

Agricultural Research Service, Administrative and Financial Management NEA Area Administrative Office, Acquisitions & Personal Property/Fleet

-End-mailto:tiffany.pimble@usda.gov