NOTICE TO SINGLE SOURCE This is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source announcement only. This is not a request for formal proposals or quotes. Any responses to this announcement will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or the Government use of such information. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated for this effort. Purpose and Objectives: The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Federal Grain Inspection Service, Technology and Science Division (AMS FGIS TSD) operates a laboratory in a privately-owned building. The division is responsible for maintaining the reference methods for all official services provided by FGIS to facilitate the marketing of grain. It is also responsible for developing and maintaining methods for accurately predicting the quality of grain and grain products moving through the U.S. marketplace. In order to provide the highest quality service needed to minimize variability in the testing methods, FGIS has standardized its reference methods to specific methods and equipment. Only these specific methods/equipment can be used by the lab. The Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) explored options to replace the outdated FOSS Grain Check system currently being used to determine milling yield for medium and short grain rice in California. Milling yield requires the determination of whole and broken kernels by mass in a 40 g sample of milled rice. In 2022, FGIS entered a CRADA with Cgrain to develop an artificial neural network (ANN) calibration for the determination of milling yield in rice using the Cgrain Value Grain analyzer instrument. The first phase is providing medium grain rice samples to be analyzed on the imaging system to train the ANN to determine broken and whole kernels. The goal of this development plan was to determine if the Cgrain imaging system can be fit-for-purpose for the determination of milling yield in medium grain milled rice which was accomplished in 2023. FGIS needs to purchase the two Cgrain Value Pro Analyzers to serve as the master units for the monitoring of the official testing system for milling yields of medium grain rice.. No other supplies or services have been identified that will satisfy the government's needs, TA SCIENTIFIC INC., is the only company that is able to the device needed as stated above. There are no capable sources that have the certification or approved ability to provide this product. This is a sole source requirement that is proprietary to TA SCIENTIFIC INC. It has been determined as the only one responsible source as determined in accordance with procedures prescribed in FAR 13.106-1 and FAR 13.5 and the anticipated contract action is hereby publicized in accordance with FAR 5.101 and FAR 5.203. The purpose of this notification is to communicate the Governments intent to solicit and award a non-competitive purchase of this service. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR TECHNICAL OR COST PROPOSALS. The NAICS code is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing 1,000. The Product Service Code is 3605 - FOOD PRODUCTS MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT. This non-competitive award is implemented by FAR 13.501, as it has been deemed that only one source is available to meet this specific requirement. The Government intends to procure this sole source requirement under FAR Parts 12, 13 and 16. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. This notice of anticipated contract action is published as required by 15 USC 637(e), 41 USC 1708, and implemented by FAR 5.101(a)(2). Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the government. Point of Contact: Mario Garcia, Contract Specialist
[email protected].