The USDA, Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS) intends to award a sole source Firm Fixed Price purchase order under the statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition per statutory authority is 41U.S.C. 253(c)(1) FAR 6.302-1 to RF KILN TECH LIMITED. The property or services needed are available from only one responsible qualified source at this time and no other type of property or services will satisfy these needs. Kiln RF Generator was purchased a couple of years ago for ongoing research project with vacuum and pressure capability from RF Kiln Tech Limited to facilitate the development of commercial RF treatment schedules for solid wood packing material (SWPM) in accordance with the newly accepted dielectric treatment standard in ISPM-15. Now a solid state RF generator has been developed and will aid in the shortening of Drying and Treatment time. It is critical that this experimental unit heat bulk load of wood material in a uniform manner for proper phytosanitary control of pests/pathogens in the wood stack. The current ISPM-15 requirement for dielectric heat (RF and microwave) is 60 C for 1 minute hold throughout the profile of wood. In order to meet this standard, we have developed preliminary data to suggest that both vacuum and pressure are required at certain stages of the treatment cycle. Requirement Specifications In order to accomplish a successful design-build for our needs, we require the following: Radio frequency (RF) generator output power of 50KW; Frequency of 6.78 MHZ RF generator protection that addresses current and temperature overload, electrode grounding, low air pressure, and door switch override; Air cooling to RF generator; Stainless steel vacuum tank (10 ft. or less in length) with sufficient space to house and treat 1200 bd. ft. of wood; Sufficient seals/clamps on all doors and access panels to insure integrity through vacuum and pressure application; Vacuum tank height in finished position on legs no greater than 9 ft. (includes any overhead protruding hydraulic structures for pressure plate, etc.); Fully hydraulic pressure plate (upper electrode) 3m x 1m dimension; Furnish quantity of 3 intermediate electrode sheets (3m x 1m) for placement in the wood stack; A power assisted feed cart of comparable length to chamber (4m x 1m approx..); Vacuum pump (7 hp) with 27” Hg capacity for chamber; A 15 psi pressure capacity for chamber. An integral port welded on rear of chamber for later connection of a compressor. We will supply compressor separately. An evaporative cooling system for chamber of sufficient design to reach 159960 kcal/hr. Chamber cooling system should have stainless steel cabinet, heat exchanger, water circulation pump and exhaust fan. ½” water line will be supplied for the makeup water. Control system comprised of PLC that is fully automated with touch screen control; Control system should accommodate and express RF generator tuning, temperature monitoring and control, moisture content monitoring and control, cooling system monitoring and control, and vacuum monitoring and control; A port with door on the left side of the chamber (2ft. high x 1 ft. wide) as you face loading door to allow access to experimental temperature probes inserted in wood; A small tray that is welded to chamber on left side between port and loading door that can accommodate a laptop for monitoring temperature probes; Overall equipment footprint should not exceed 9 ft. in height and 40 ft. in length; Equipment should be UL tested for safety; Power source 480 Volt 3 phase; Total input power to RF equipment not to exceed 150 amps @ 480 Volts. The RF equipment package with vacuum and pressure is a unique configuration, typically 2 separate chambers are required to meet this requirement but we have space and cost limitations. To date we have found that only RF Kiln Tech Limited can supply the requirements listed above. Presently RF Kiln Tech Limited is the only supplier of commercial RF kilns to the wood/lumber industry in North America. The ability to access their extensive database on wood species heating would also be a significant advantage to partnering with this company as we attempt to develop heating schedules on a range of hardwoods and softwoods for phytosanitary heat treatment as per the dielectric standard in ISPM-15. Interested sources that are capable of providing the equivalent supply listed above are encouraged to submit statements of capability to the contracting office. Small business concerns are encouraged to participate. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals, but instead a market research method to determine interested sources. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action is based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive (i.e. non-brand name) procurement is in the best interest of the Government. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. Please provide past performance and references regarding your ability to provide this supply and service along with your Statement of Capability. The Government will not award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Information provided is strictly voluntary. Please email Statements of Capability to Tom Wesley:
[email protected]. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Closing date for submission of Statements of Capability is 31 January 2020 at 3:30 PM Central Standard Time. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 3333318 with a small business size standard of less than 1,000 employees.