USDA, ARS, SAA, U.S. Vegetable Laboratory intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source, Measured Solutions, Inc., 103 Pilgrim Road, Greenville, SC 29607 for a piece of specialized equipment called the Fibrotest, a fiber testing instrument. This equipment will be purchased for the Cotton Quality Research Station, Ravenel Center Place, Clemson, SC 29631. Fibrotest Fiber Testing Instrument for the assessment of fiber length as well as absolute tensile properties of cotton and other long staple fiber samples up to 150 mm. With Fibrotest the following measurements can be executed, after manual preparation of a fiber bundle (Fibrograph principle). Automatic length-related optoelectronic scan of the fiber beard performed using laser technology with high linear and lateral resolution up to 150 mm, with an automatic clamping of the fiber beard by means of two fiber bundle clamps at a distance of 1/8", and extending the fiber bundle to the rupture point, to determine breaking strength, breaking elongation, as well as the force/elongation characteristic, and automatic weighing of the broken fibers for the calculation of breaking strength in cN/tex or PSI. The components of this system must be industrial grade, custom built, and tailored for individual researcher's needs. Engineering design and technical assistance in upgrading the FIBROTEST instrument will provide absolute cotton fiber length and strength measurements as well as additional absolute flax fiber length and strength measurements up to 150 mm. The safety operation of this machine remains on the same level when measuring flax fibers up to 150mm. The update and upgrade to the Fibrotest instrument will be built by the awarded company to meet the National Electrical Manufacturers Association standards for performance and protection of electrical equipment. This system will measure cotton fiber and flax fiber with precise control. Since the original motors and drives remain fully used in the new solution, the specifications of the machine remain the same for cotton fiber length and strength measurements, as does the applicability of the major part of existing operating manual. The control functions of the instrument are via a personal computer. The FIBROTEST instrument will be digitally controllable with an input of 220 volts and customized software. The FIBROTEST instrument will contain digital high grade electronics. This will make it possible to accurately control test duration and length of fiber length measurement. Pursuant to 6.302-1(a), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Pursuant to 6.302-1(a), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. Interested parties need to fax a written response to 843-573-4715 or e-mail me at
[email protected] by 20 Jul, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. It should be noted that no contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice, but will be used to determine if a comparable source more advantageous to the Government is available. If no affirmative written responses are received, negotiations will be held with Measured Solutions without further notice. This acquisition is being conducted under the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The anticipated award date is 21 Jul 2011.