99--Differential Scanning Calorimetry Research

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Combat Feeding Directorate, intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Ohio State University Research Foundation, Columbus, OH 43210. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: Pressure-overriding differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of effects on -amylase thermal behavior due to binding of different condensed tannins from fruit extracts, and expert interpretation of resulting thermograms. 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): The researcher at Ohio State University (OSU) has both unique instrumentation and food-engineering background/experience for interpreting results. Instrumentation is unique in that it provides overriding pressure to suppress the water vaporization endotherm, so that thermal transitions of compounds of interest can be measured. Furthermore, the researcher at Ohio State University has vast experience in this area and also a food engineering background: the combination of thermal analysis and food property expertise is a precise and unique fit for the analyses and interpretations required by the Combat Feeding Directorate. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: Multiple internet searches and also queries of professionals in the field yielded no other viable source of these services. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: None 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: Possibly, future searches in the advent of other food engineering experts also setting up pressure-overriding DSC capability/laboratories. 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: [email protected] no later than Noon April 19, 2010. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Steven Streeter, Contract Specialist (508) 233-5704 [email protected]