Vegetable Machine Slicer

The Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) intends to award a sole source, firm fixed price purchase order of an industrial grade vegetable slicing machine to Nichimo International, Inc.  Nichimo manufactures a machine that is the only commercially available machine that the Government has found able to meet its requirements.  The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 333294 and the business size standard is 500 Employees.

The Government's minimum needs are as follows: an industrial-grade vegetable slicer, intended to be used for research purposes, that:

 - is capable of providing high quality cutting (without tearing or bruising);

- can switch between cutting sizes very quickly without needing to change the blade;

- has continuous feed capability;

- has long lasting blades that maintain their sharp edges; and,

- is small enough to fit in a laboratory facility.

All responses received by the due date will be considered by the Government.  A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed purchase order based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Interested parties may respond to this notice no later than 5:00 pm, Eastern Standard Time, September 8, 2011.  Any response to this Notice must show clear and convincing evidence that the respondent manufactures a product that fully meets the above stated needs and thus that competition for this product would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.

For questions concerning this notice of intent, respond by email to Kelli.Lightfoot@ars.usda.gov.