Sources Sought Total Dietary Fiber Analyzer.pdf

Notice Type:

Sources Sought Notice

#12305B21SS1028199

SYNOPSIS:

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), Food Components and Health Laboratory (FCHL), located in Beltsville, MD, requires a new laboratory Total Dietary Fiber Analyzer.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES:

The primary objective of issuing this Source Sought Notice is to seek information from vendors with the capability of providing a new laboratory Total Dietary Fiber Analyzer. The equipment is needed to upgrade and replace existing equipment.

SPECIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

• Platform must use a filter bag technology (as opposed to a crucible-based system) to increase filtering surface area.

• Automate the fiber measurements methods described in AOAC International (AOAC) AOAC method # 985.29, #2001.03, & #991.43 (AACC 32.07.01)

• Automation must include the addition of chemical solutions, enzymes, and rinses at appropriate times consistent with standardized methodologies (see above). In addition, automation must provide controlled temperatures and agitation levels throughout the process.

• Provide an upgrade to support AOAC methods #2009.01 and #2011.25

• Provide an analytical platform that is automated to allow for faster analyses

• Be capable of completing 3 runs/day – each run consisting of 9 samples (in duplicate)/day/shift

• Use a filter-bag system to eliminate the use of crucibles to permit technician-free filtering and eliminate the problem of clogged filters in order to reduced labor costs

• Be able to use filter bags to eliminate the need for use water baths, filtration flasks and filtration manifold.

• Incorporate a computer-controlled operation with touch screen operation and step-by-step prompting

Deliverables

• Base instrument for filter bag-based analysis with a 120 volt compatible power supply

• Bag rinse stand assembly

• Dietary Fiber Flow Thru Bags (quantity 100)

• Filter bags for Insoluble dietary fiber (IDF, quantity 50)

• Filter bags for soluble dietary fiber (SDF, quantity 50)

• Bag sealer (with a 120 volt compatible power supply) and bag marker (quantity 2).

• TRIS-Tromethamine buffer (quantity 250 grams).

• MES buffer (quantity 250 grams).

• Protease enzyme (quantity 100 milliliters).

• Alpha-amalyse enzyme (quantity 100 milliliters).

• Amyloglucosidase concentrate (quantity 100 milliliters).

• Appropriate cereal-based check sample to verify proper function of instrument for quality control.

• The vendor must include video-based installation and training

• Shipping and handling must be provided by the vendor to: USDA, ARS; Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center;

307B Center Road; Building 307B, Room 213; Beltsville, MD 20705. Delivery shall be between the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. Provide advance notification to the above within 24 hours of delivery of the equipment.

Warranty

• The vendor shall provide a one-year warranty for the instrument. The vendor shall repair or replace any defective parts free of charge during the first year of USDA ownership. If necessary, the vendor will also provide repair services at no cost during the warranty period. The vendor shall credit the customer for any shipping cost incurred as a result of a needed repair.

Period Of Performance Delivery must occur between April 1, 2021 and June 1, 2021

NAICS: 334516

PSC: 6695

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:

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

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