20 Liter Precision Powder Mixer

  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: 2/19/16
(3) Classification Code : 6680
(4) NAICS Code: 332420
(5) NAICS Size Standard: 500 Employee
(6) Contracting Office Address: 2800 Powder Mill Road
Bldg. 601
Adelphi, Maryland 20783
(7) Subject: 20L Precision Powder Mixer
(8) Proposed Solicitation Number: W911QX-16-T-0111
(9) Sources Sought Closing Response Date: 2/29/16
(10) Contact Point: Swati Jain, Contract Specialist, [swati.jain2.civ@mail.mil or 301-394-0045]
(11)

A. Objective:

The government requires equipment to mix multiple powder feedstocks into a single product that exhibits uniform distribution of each component.

B. Salient Characteristics: The mixer must provide the following characteristics:

1. A vessel water filling volume of no less than 20 L and powder filling volume of no less than 16.5 L.
2. Capable of operation at no less than 15 % and up to 100 % of the total fill volume.
3. The mixer must provide a bottom discharge for ease of use and to accommodate full discharge of the mixer volume.
4. The mixer must accommodate wet cleaning with solvent or detergents to prevent contamination between batches.
5. The equipment must be designed to provide gentle mixing to avoid distortion of the product. For example, the mixer must not utilize high shear or abrasive mixing methods.
6. The mixing must be achieved by a rotating mixing screw to gently convey material from the bottom of the vessel to the top to provide convective mixing.
7. The mixer must be no wider than 800 mm wide by 1800 mm height to accommodate the limited laboratory space.
8. The vessel must be constructed of welded stainless steel and sealed with an O-ring to accommodate safe mixing of small particles
9. A cover must be designed to provide dust tight operation.
10. The entire mixer must be easily transported by forklift.
11. The mixer must include support wheels for easy transport.
12. Capable of operation at +/- 30 mbar.
13. The mixer must be jacketed to provide temperature control.
14. The mixer must provide integrated control to adjust the mixing condition, program the mixing time, and save at least 3 programmable recipes.
15. Mixer must be powered by 208 V power.
16. The noise level must not exceed 75dBa during normal operation.
17. The vendor needs to coordinate delivery to Building 4600 on the Aberdeen Proving Grounds.

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 500 employee standard that accompanies NAICS code 332420. 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 synopsis are due no later than 1700 Eastern Standard Time 2/29/16. Submissions should be emailed to Swati Jain, Contract Specialist, [swati.jain2.civ@mail.mil].
Questions concerning this sources sought synopsis may be directed to Swati Jain, Contract Specialist, [swati.jain2.civ@mail.mil]. Please be advised that .zip and .exe files cannot be accepted.
(13) Place of Contract Performance: Adelphi, MD
(14) Estimated Delivery Timeframe or Period of Performance: 28 March 2016.