ATEX COMPONENTS

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS), Science and Technology, Gastonia, NC, intends to issue a sole source purchase order with Gerstel Inc, for components for the Gerstel MPS Prep Station and Automated TDU-Liner Exchange (ATEX) System. The proposed contract action is for supplies for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Simplified procurement procedures will be used as well as commercial item acquisition regulations per FAR 12. Numbered Note 22 applies.