Plant Science Research Unit Tissue Culture Chamber

Sources Sought Notification Update 08/19/2024

Document Titled Sources Sought Q&A 2024 08 19 was posted with the following clarifications: 

1. Approximate exterior dimensions? About 34” x 34” x 77”
2. Should the humidification system include ultrasonic humidification AND dehumidification to help eliminate mold/mildew?  Yes
3. Should the controls for both compartments be ergonomically located between the two compartments? Yes​​​​​​​

Sources Sought Notification: Requisition 1134874 Tissue Culture Chamber

This is a Sources Sought Notification issued by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for informational and planning purposes only. This is NOT a solicitation, nor is it an announcement for a forthcoming solicitation. Submission of any information in response to this notification is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred in providing a response.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA), Plant Science Research Unit in the St. Paul, Minnesota ARS location performs research to improve transformation efficiency of legumes, particularly soybean, and to study legume root architecture. Advancement of these research priorities is expected to permit understanding and development of more robust, hardier legumes suited for agricultural purposes in a changing climate. In order to conduct these studies, delicate tissues of legumes must often be grown or regenerated via tissue culture in incubators with fine-tuned controls which provide optimal growth conditions for these delicate tissues. A new tissue culture chamber with additional controls will improve our ability to successfully execute these studies.

Please refer to the Statement of Work when providing information for this Sources Sought. Responses to this notification will help to determine the acquisition strategy for any future solicitation.

NACIS for this requirement is 333415 Air-Conditioning and Warm Air Heating Equipment and Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing and the PSC is 6640 - Laboratory Equipment And Supplies.

Companies who have the experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice. Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business.

Submission Instructions: Interested vendors are invited to submit a response to this Sources Sought Notification by 12:00 PM Eastern Time on 21 August 2024, to the attention of Julia Lackey, Contract Specialist, julia.lackey@usda.gov. All questions are asked to be submitted in writing to the primary point of contact by 10 AM Eastern Time 20 August 2024 and will be addressed accordingly.

Responses should be no more than 5 pages and include the following information:

1. Organization Name.

2. Contract Name, e-mail address and phone number.

3. Organizations SAM UEI number.

4. Business size status for the applicable NAICS code.

5. A statement of interest in any forthcoming acquisition.

6. A statement of capability to perform details of the requirement.

Interested vendors are instructed to provide only the data requested. No proprietary classified confidential or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any nonproprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Any additional information will not be reviewed by the USDA.