The U.S. EPA, Office of Research and Development located in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDA &CS) to continue a collaboration effort on the Retrofit and Testing of a Transportable Animal Gasifier under the authority of FAR Part 6.302-1. The goal of this collaboration effort is to adequately address the threat of the introduction and subsequent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) or other high-consequence Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD), improved methods for depopulation, disposal, and decontamination are required. In support of the interagency objective of protecting U.S. food and agriculture from the threat of foreign animal disease, EPA will coordinate the following activities with the NCDA &CS: 1. Repair the damaged and deteriorated components of a gasifier prototype. 2. Replace the oil-fired burners and associated equipment with gas-fired burners. 3. Modify the feeding system to be able to accurately distribute desired quantities of macerated material onto specifically targeted locations within the gasifier. 4. Modify the macerator system to be able to handle larger animals (e.g., bovine carcasses). 5. Develop training materials for operational personnel. 6. Evaluate and modify controls for the macerator and gasifier to assure that the system can be operated properly and safely in all weather conditions. 7. Conduct sufficient test runs to properly adjust the system, manage limitations, train sufficient personnel to safely and reliably operate it in the field, and to assure performance at the highest through-put possible. 8. Carry out a three-day Proof of Concept test at the highest throughput safely possible. 9. Clean and prepare the system for relocation. 10. Evaluate and document the system, its operation, its performance, its maintenance, and any modifications or improvements The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the only known source able to satisfy the collaboration effort requirements. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. However, any firm believing itself capable of providing the State of North Carolina collaborative efforts for Retrofit and Testing of a Transportable Animal Gasifier may submit technical documentation to establish their capability. Such documentation must be submitted to the Contracting Officer within 15 calendar days of electronic posting of this notice. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon responses received will normally be considered solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. Documentation should be submitted in writing to Scott Tharp via email
[email protected]. Telephone r esponses will not be honored.