Notice of intent to sole source to C-lock INC for greenfeed pasture system

The USDA ARS - WBSC intends to award a sole source Firm Fixed Purchase Order (PO) to C LOCK INC, 2025 SAMCO ROAD, RAPID CITY, SD. This order is to purchase and install one (1) GREENFEED Pasture Systems, Auto Calibration, Oxygen Sample System & one (1) year Service Contract in support of USDA ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock & Range Research Lab, Miles City, MT 59301.

The Firm Fixed PO will include the following:

1. PURCHASE C-LOCK INC GREENFEED PASTURE SYSTEM, AUTO CALIBRATION & OXYGEN SAMPLE SYSTEM

• Installation & Training

2. SERVICE CONTRACT - INCLUDES DATA ACCESS, HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SUPPORT & MAINTENANCE FOR 1 YEAR.

In support of USDA ARS, Fort Keogh Livestock & Range Research Lab & to ensure the most efficient and adequate feeding system for their cattle/herd, the GreenFeed automated system allows researchers to monitor the production of metabolic gases from ruminant animals.

The main components of GreenFeed are:

a) A feeding station where mixing between the animal's breath and ambient air is restricted;

b) An external tracer-release system;

c) An air-flow manifold inlet and air handling and monitoring system

c) feed delivery unit

d) An animal identification system (RFID)

e) An analytical instrumentation for metabolic gas measurements

f) A data collection and storage system

g) A remote communication, monitoring, and control system

h) A power supply and distribution system

i) A data collating, analysis, display and distribution system.

GreenFeed is the only commercially available system that provides researchers with a portable method to measure metabolic gas production from ruminant animals. The other alternatives are to enclose the whole animal in a chamber specifically designed for the measurements or to use an internal SF6 tracer method and collection canister. These alternative methods require expensive analytical equipment, precise measurement techniques, and extensive animal handling. They are also an "order of magnitude more expensive" than GreenFeed to operate and maintain. In addition, neither method is offered as a commercial product.

GreenFeed is covered by two patents in the USA and the EU under patent numbers CA2725380A1, CA2725380C, CN102105050A, CN102105050B, EP2291072A2, EP2291072B1, US7966971, US20090288606, WO2009151927A2, WO2009151927A3, and CA2796450A1, EP2558855A2, EP2558855B1, EP2653031A1, US8307785, US20110192213, WO2011130538A2, WO2011130538A3.

Pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

The award date will be on or about May 22, 2018; and this Notice of Intent is not considered as 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, to compete this proposed PO based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 09:30 AM PST, May 21, 2018. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the Primary Point of Contact: Washingtoni.NLN@ars.usda.gov.