Inactive

Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, SEA intends to award a sole source procurement to Eurofins Scientific Inc. 2200 Rittenhouse Street Suite 150 Des Moines IA 50321 as they are the sole source for these ... Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, SEA intends to award a sole source procurement to Eurofins Scientific Inc. 2200 Rittenhouse Street Suite 150 Des Moines IA 50321 as they are the sole source for these types of products/services pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(l ) and FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The award will be to purchase the following product/services: The USDA ARS/Crop Genetics Research Unit requires a National Cotton Variety Test (NCVT) program that evaluates cotton seed quality traits such as oil content, protein content, and gossypol content. Specifications: QTY 370- Seed Testing PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The National Cotton Variety Test (NCVT) program evaluates cotton seed quality traits such as oil content, protein content, and gossypol content. A range of 300 to 1000 seed samples needs to be analyzed annually. Cotton industry and breeders are using these data to analyze historical trends in cotton pro-duction and environmental impacts on seed quality. These data in the program are used to compare with the regional cultivars for genetic improvement of cotton seed quality. It is required that appropriate methodologies are applied to generate accurate and reliable chemical measurements on the cotton seed quality traits. Continuity in protocols from one year to the next is required. The Official methods for cotton seed testing are issued by the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) (AOCS Methods Aa 4-38, Ba 4f-00; and Ba 8a-99). However, it is required that a laboratory needs to set up the procedures as a routine operation to allow accurate and reliable measurements of a large number of seed samples at a relatively low cost. Eurofins Scientific is currently the only one vendor that has set up the procedures as their routine operations for cotton seed measurements. The methods are difficult to set up from scratch since they require very specialized skills and equipment such as fuming hood and a cotton seed cracker. Crop Genetics Research Unit has used Eurofins as a vendor for NCVT cotton seed analysis for decades. A change to a different vendor would require a new set up of the protocols and training of the technicians that would raise the cost and lower the quality on seed chemical analysis. Because of required continuity in protocols from one year to the next, the testing must be continued by Eurofins Scientific Inc. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about July 1, 2022. This Notice of lntent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will consider all responses received by 12:00 PM central time, June 30, 2022. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to the points of contact listed: Place of Performance: USDA-ARS 141 Experiment Station Road Stoneville, MS Primary Point of Contact: Shalunda S. Mix Contract Specialist shalunda.mix@usda.gov

Inactive

Solicitation Number: 12405B22Q0104 Notice Type: Sources Sought Synopsis: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS is requesting information reg... Solicitation Number: 12405B22Q0104 Notice Type: Sources Sought Synopsis: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service, Stoneville, MS is requesting information regarding the capability to provide a National Cotton Variety Test (NCVT) program that evaluates cotton seed quality traits such as oil content, protein content, and gossypol content. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The National Cotton Variety Test (NCVT) program evaluates cotton seed quality traits such as oil content, protein content, and gossypol content. A range of 300 to 1000 seed samples needs to be analyzed annually. Cotton industry and breeders are using these data to analyze historical trends in cotton production and environmental impacts on seed quality. These data in the program are used to compare with the regional cultivars for genetic improvement of cotton seed quality. It is required that appropriate methodologies are applied to generate accurate and reliable chemical measurements on the cotton seed quality traits. Continuity in protocols from one year to the next is required. The Official methods for cotton seed testing are issued by the American Oil Chemists Society (AOCS) (AOCS Methods Aa 4-38, Ba 4f-00; and Ba 8a-99). However, it is required that a laboratory needs to set up the procedures as a routine operation to allow accurate and reliable measurements of a large number of seed samples at a relatively low cost. Eurofins Scientific is currently the only one vendor that has set up the procedures as their routine operations for cotton seed measurements. The methods are difficult to set up from scratch since they require very specialized skills and equipment such as fuming hood and a cotton seed cracker. Crop Genetics Research Unit has used Eurofins as a vendor for NCVT cotton seed analysis for decades. A change to a different vendor would require a new set up of the protocols and training of the technicians that would raise the cost and lower the quality on seed chemical analysis. This is not a request for proposals, but instead market research to determine interested vendors prior to issuing a solicitation. Pricing information provided is for estimation purposes only. A determination by the Government on the method of competing this requirement has not been established. The Government will not award a contract based on this Sources Sought Notice or the information received, nor will it reimburse participants for the information they provide. If you are an interested vendor, please provide the following information: 1) Business name and point of contact; 2) DUNS number and CAGE code; 3) business size; and 4) a brief statement of Capability (no more than three pages) which demonstrates the ability to meet the specialized work requirements above. Include any past performance information on contracts of similar size and scope. Electronic responses are preferred. Information provided will not be used as a part of any subsequent solicitation requirement. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses are due no later than 10:00 a.m., Central Time, on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, to the attention of Shalunda Mix, Contract Specialist, via e-mail to shalunda.mix@usda.gov. Contracting Office Address: USDA-ARS, SEA 141 Experiment Station Road P. O. Box 225 Stoneville, MS 38776 Primary Point of Contact: Shalunda Mix Contract Specialist shalunda.mix@usda.gov