Intent to Sole Source Repair, refurbishment, upgrade and/or replacement of malting equipment

This special notice is in accordance with FAR 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Action. This is a notice of intent to make a sole source award and is not a solicitation or request for competitive quotes.

This award will be made utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with: Federal Acquisition Regulation 13.106-2)(1) For purchases exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold. The requirements at 13.501(a) apply to sole-source (including brand-name) acquisitions of commercial products and commercial services conducted pursuant to subpart 13.5.

The UDSA Cereal Crops Research Unit (CCRU) in Madison, WI is requesting bids for repair, refurbishment, upgrade and/or replacement of malting equipment including 3 Steep Tanks, 4 Germinators, 2 Joe White micromalters, Controller software, and updating of any lab utilities/infrastructure necessary to meet requirements of upgraded equipment.

USDA-ARS MWA Procurement Office in Peoria, IL intends to make a firm fixed price sole source award under the authority 13.106-2)(1), only one responsible source, to:

Integrated Process Engineers & Constructors, Inc.

1901 Allen Drive

Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

The objective of this sole source award is to repair, refurbishment, upgrade and/or replacement of malting equipment with the following characteristics:

To be determined technically acceptable equipment must include:

1. Steep tank refurbishment/replacement
   1. Steep tanks each capable of handling 48 individual 100-200gram barley samples (144 total). Will consider proposals to reduce number from 3 to 2 larger steep tanks as long as capacity remains 144 total.
   2. Steep water must be chilled (16C) and accurate temperature control maintained.
   3. Automatic steep tank filling & draining
   4. Must fit in area currently occupied by steep tanks (approx. 15’long x 4’ deep x 7’tall)
   5. Improved sample movement system that can lower and raise from water bath and the scheduling of sample water immersions and air rests must be fully customizable.
   6. Design must include the re-use of currently used hanging steep baskets (3.5”x3.5”x6” each)
   7. Internal cleaning system. Ex. spray device(s) to assist with cleaning product contact zones.
   8. Data recorder notification system to report aberrant environmental conditions within the chamber.

1. Germination Chamber refurbishment/replacement
   1. Germination chambers capable of handling  36 sample cans each (144 total). Will consider proposals to reduce number from four to three or two larger germination chambers if capacity remain 144.
   2. Each germination chamber must contain a rotisserie style can-holder that rotates at a constant speed (~2 rotations/minute).
   3. Must fit in area currently occupied by steep tanks (approx. 20’long x 4’deep x 7’tall)
   4. Must be able to accommodate our circular grain germination cans (6”diameter and 4 “tall)
   5. Must maintain constant humidity (~98%)
   6. Must maintain constant temperature (cooling) (17C)
   7. Data recorder and notification system to report aberrant environmental conditions within the chamber.

1. Joe White Micromalters
   1. Repair/upgrade/refurbish parts necessary for Joe White micromalters to operate normally and consistently (parts list and manual available for reference).
   2. Upgrade interface and on-board controls
   3. Central controller system software replacement/upgrade
   4. Replace or update current MetaSys controller software.
   5. Main Controller/PLC to operate all three phases of malting process.
   6. Custom workstation software for operator interface, sample data logging and report generation.
   7. Software will track samples through various stages and compile process data into single file/report

As such, purchase from Integrated Process Engineers & Constructors, Inc. has been determined to be required as they are the only vendor available that meets all of the requirements outlined above.

The NAICS code for this requirement is 238210 – Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors with a small business size standard of $19 Million. The PSC code for this requirement is N059 – Installation of Equipment Electrical and Electron. NO solicitation or solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive quotations; however, interested vendors that regard themselves as capable of providing a product that can fulfill the requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Interested parties may identify their interests and capability to respond to this requirement by NO later than Wednesday, June 14, 2024, at 2:00PM (CT) to Debora Wells at debora.wells@usda.gov. NO phone calls will be accepted. The e-mail subject line shall include: 12505B24R0022 Malting Equipment.

Any submission in response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence as well as be in sufficient enough detail to show that they can provide a product that would meet the Government’s need and that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement.

Again, this is NOT a request for competitive quotes. This notice is for informational purposes only. Responses received shall be considered by the agency; however, determination by the Government whether or not to compete this proposed award upon response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No reimbursement for any cost connected with providing capability information will be provided