Notice of Intent to Sole Source

THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. This notice is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. This procurement will be processed pursuant to FAR part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. No solicitation will be issued.
All responsible sources who believe they can provide the services listed may submit, in writing to the identified point of contact, a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purposes of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government. Responses are to be received within 10 days of this notice. No telephone calls are being accepted.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Research Services (ARS), Plains Area Ginning Lab, in Lubbock, TX, intends to negotiate and award to Lummus Corporation, on a Sole Source basis, a Micro feeding, ginning, lint cleaning system with Lexan siding. Contract type will be a Firm Fixed Price. NAICS Code is 334516.

Award is In accordance with both 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 13.106-1 (b)(1)(i)
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The USDA, ARS, Plains Area Cotton Ginning Research Lab in Lubbock, TX, has a requirement for a specific cotton ginning system to replace the number 4 gin stand feeder, cotton gin, and lint cleaner. The number 4 feeder, gin stand, and lint cleaner (micro gin equipment, MGE) are used for breeder studies and automation studies (i.e. plastic detection/removal vision system) and resembles a full-size gin in every aspect except for 1) narrower (non-standard) machinery, and 2) machinery that is cantilevered to allow viewing of the process thru a Lexan covered side plate. The MGE equipment allows ginning of small lots of cotton for breeder comparison studies, fiber quality comparisons and evaluation of plastic removal systems. The MGE system will be used for both cotton ginning research and educational purposes. For continuity of research, the MGE system must be used.

The Lummus Corporation is the sole manufacturer and seller of all components of its MGE system. For continuity of research, the MGE system must be used. The system contains machines that have unique features needed by the Laboratory, not contained in other manufacturer's equipment. Thus, only this particular product will be purchased.

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