Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of U... This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ. This requirement is covered under NAICS code 334516. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses; Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible. The USDA, ARS, UCD Plant Pathology Deparment in Davis, CA requires a scientific instrument to use to enumerate gene abundances in samples using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The instrument is identified as a real time PCR machine. Specifications for a real-time PCR machine: small footprint instrument (under 20 inches width x 20 inches depth) free software with upgrades filter sets (SYBR/FAM, ROX, ATTO, CY3, CY5, HEX) to allow multiplexing of samples ability to incubate and measure 10 uL reactions works with standard 96 well plates or tubes compatible with Stratagene real-time qPCR kits fast data acquisition (< 3 sec) fast heat block ramp speeds (6°C/sec) minimal heat block well-to-well temperature variation (+/- 0.4°C) The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. Capability Statement All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.