The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Marketing Service, Cotton and Tobacco Program is seeking Vendor Sources capable of developing imaging analysis systems which have the ability to capture high resolution color images of a cotton sample having approximately 80 square inches of surface area. The imaging system shall have the capability to measure Color L*a*b* of the sample material, pixel by pixel, and to detect, measure, and identify by shape and/or color any visible particles distributed throughout the surface of the lighter colored sample material. The samples will be presented directly to the detection window of the imaging system for detecting, measuring and reporting the amount of visible particles contained in a sample. The measurements of all visible particles shall be expressed in terms of percent area (particle area divided by total sample area) and total particle count of the visible particles contained in a given sample area. Additionally, the imaging system shall have the ability to identify the type of visible material based on shape and color criteria. In addition to percent area and particle count, measurements for all individual particles contained in the sample, percent area of each type and particle count of each type will also be obtained. Responses to this publication will not result in a contract and will only be used for market research data. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) for competitive proposals. Interested sources who have performed or have the capability to perform this type of work must include:1) Name of Company; 2) Contact Information to include telephone and e-mail; 3) Business Size (Large Business, Small Business, HubZone Small Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), 8(a), Women-Owned, Small Disadvantaged); 4) Duns Number; 5) Three past performance and references relevant to company's ability to provide this type of requirement and/or literature which supports the company has the capability to perform this work; 6) List of contract vehicles your company may have such as a GSA Federal Supply Schedule, 8(a) Certification, etc.., OR if only able to compete under Open Market. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. The Government will NOT award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Information requested is strictly voluntary. Responses may be e-mailed to:
[email protected] with a hard copy mailed to Beverly Brown, USDA, AMS, Cotton and Tobacco Programs, 3275 Appling Road, Memphis, TN 38011. Information must be received by February 28, 2014 at 2:00 pm central time. No telephone communication will be honored. Vendors who respond will not be entitled to the results of this notice.