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Sources Sought Notice (This is NOT a Request for Quote) Seed Debearder Requirement PURPOSE 1. Advise industry of a requirement for Mount Rainier National Park 2. Obtain capability statements from inte... Sources Sought Notice (This is NOT a Request for Quote) Seed Debearder Requirement PURPOSE 1. Advise industry of a requirement for Mount Rainier National Park 2. Obtain capability statements from interested sources 3. Obtain details on availability of units that could meet the required specifications BACKGROUND: The Mount Rainier National Park native plant nursery provides plant materials and seed for vegetation restoration projects within the Park. Seeds from several hundred species are hand-collected for growing containerized plants or direct seeding. Collections are made as close as possible to a restoration site to preserve localized genetics. For a given species, collections made from different areas of the Park will exhibit subtle variability in physical characteristics. Collections from the same site will have subtle variation from year to year. Processing the seed at the nursery requires removing vegetative chaff and appendages to enhance viability in cold storage and to increase the flowability of seed when sowing in nursery containers or dispersing on restoration sites via hand or mechanical techniques. Grass seed sent out for field increase (bulking through agricultural field production and harvest) needs to flow through agricultural sowing implements. Without processing, seeds will clump together preventing even dispersal. Extraneous materials and debris hold pathogens and affect cold storage moisture content reducing seed viability. Efficient, mechanized cleaning processes exist; however, seeds are currently cleaned by hand, using rudimentary tools and time-consuming, laborious techniques. Variations in seed physical characteristics such as size, shape, density, hardness, surface texture and external appendages require diversity and subtle variation in cleaning techniques. Storage and workspace constraints at the nursery limit the size and quantity of seed cleaning devices and equipment that can be used. All nursery equipment must be portable so that it can be kept within limited storage and hand-carried to the workspace for use. DESCRIPTION OF NEED: A powered, seed debearder device is needed to mechanically shear off seed appendages such as bracts, hulls, awns and bristles. Aspirated versions are available that further separate the debris from the seed via an air blower but they are typically much larger units. Given our overall device size constraints, this device does not need to have aspirated separation capabilities as we would perform further separation techniques after debearding. A debearder typically has stationary tines and rotating paddles that agitate seed within a drum. Drums can be solid or perforated to help shear off and separate appendages. Given the variety of seeds that we clean, we need a device that can be modified and fine-tuned by utilizing different types of drums, tines, paddles and brushes. Device should have a continuous feed mechanism so seed can be automatically and continuously added, with inlet and discharge ports to allow minimally attended operation. It should also have batch load capabilities to open the drum to load and retain seed in the device for when seed characteristics prevent continuous feeding, or when longer agitation is needed. REQUIRED SPECIFICATIONS: Debearder must break up grass inflorescences/florets and remove appendages (awns) from grass seed. It must have expanded capabilities via compatible, interchangeable components (such as impellers, brushes, drums) to allow fine-tuning or reconfiguration to remove appendages from other non-grass seeds. All components electrically powered via standard 120V outlet (within 110-130V). Motor with variable speed controller. Cycle/operating timer to allow timed shut-off during unattended operation. Automatic/continuous material feed and exit capability via a vibratory feeder, inlet and outlet ports. Removable and blockable ports to allow batch operation where bulk seed can be loaded and retained in device for sustained agitation. Must operate effectively with small volumes of seed, less than 1000cc. Device weight must not exceed 75 pounds. Device must not exceed 18" wide, 36" long, or 30" high. REQUESTED RESPONSE: Respondents must provide the following information: 1. Specifications of proposed debearder unit and availability 2. Point of contact with contact information to include name, title, address, phone number and email address 3. Business status (including any teaming partners), i.e. Women Owned, Minority Owned, Native American (tribally owned or Alaskan native), Services Disabled Veteran Owned, HUBZone, 8(a), or Large or Small Business 4. Please do not submit information regarding equipment that is larger than our requirement. Responses must be sent to Sue Mayo by email at sue_mayo@nps.gov using the sources sought notice number 140P8323Q0063 in the subject line.