NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Hydroponic ‘farm suites’ from Insulated Shipping Containers w/ state-of-the-art hydroponic system

Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, SEA intends to award a sole source procurement to AmplifiedAg Technologies, LLC, Charleston, SC 29492 as they are the sole source for these types of products/services pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(l ) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.
The award will be to purchase the following product/services:

The USDA, ARS, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory requires AmplifiedAg Technologies four (4) hydroponic ‘farm suites’ from insulated shipping containers.

Specifications:
The hydroponic ‘farm suites’ from insulated shipping containers (40’x 8’ x 9’6”) contains a state-of-the-art hydroponic system. These units can be customized for up to 8,000 plant capacity using nutrient film technique channels combined with Flood & Drain System trays designed for research and development purposes. We require them at this time because the customized design of the shipping containers with split fertigation systems that are suitable for controlled experiments to grow different type of vegetable crops for various research purposes by different researchers, which is not available from other manufacturers. 

These units will be custom designed by the vendor based on our Research Leaders’ project needs:
• Full-Spectrum LED Light System Engineered for both Early and Late-Stage Growth
• Precision Automated Fertigation System with cloud connectivity
• Operating System utilizes data-driven science, electronics, and business management systems to monitor, control and track every aspect of farm production and processes. Custom analytics to enhance plant quality and produce higher yields. Provides dashboard view of real-time data from in-farm sensors, with cloud storage of all historical data including growth, climate, and alarm history. Remote access (from anywhere) of lights, irrigation, dosing, and CO2 generation.
• Configurable sensor data parameters with text and email alerts.
• Automatic lot assignment for each seed planted to track for growth records, yield performance and traceability
• Record germination rates to identify top seed performers
• management of multiple pods via a single sign-on
• Inventory management in multiple locations to optimize research.
• Generate custom labels, complete with barcodes for packaging
• Generate custom reports for yield, inventory, and harvest cycle data
• View and export data for downloads to spreadsheets (.csv, .xls)
• complete food traceability from seed to sale
• sensor input/output and relays for automated control of electrical systems such as lights, pumps, and switches
• All data securely stored in the cloud and accessible from any smartphone, tablet or computer with web access
• Air Curtains to protect from pests
• Water Pump, Tank, and Filtration System
• Fans that uniformly distribute air flow in excess of 270 CFM over the plant canopy
• Programmable 5-ton HVAC Unit with integrated dehumidification capability
• 2-year limited warranty
• Inclusive 2-day training period customized to the clients’ needs
• Delivery of the first unit within 10 days of an awarded contract

These custom hydroponic ‘farm suites’ from insulated shipping containers are only available from AmplifiedAg Technologies, LLC.

The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about September 1, 2021.  This Notice of lntent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 12:00 PM central time, September 1, 2021. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the points of contact listed:

Place of Performance:
USDA/U.S. Vegetable Laboratory/Agricultural Research Services
2700 Savannah Highway
Charleston, SC 29414

Primary Point of Contact:
Shalunda S. Mix
Contract Specialist
shalunda.mix@usda.gov