SPECIAL NOTICE
66 -- QualySense QSorter Explorer Robotic Seed Sorter - JOFOC
- Notice Date
- 8/18/2017
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 334516
— Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA APHIS, 1920 DAYTON AVE, AMES, Iowa, 50010, United States
- ZIP Code
- 50010
- Solicitation Number
- AG-6197-S-17-100-00619
- Archive Date
- 9/16/2017
- Point of Contact
- Lara J. Hicok, Phone: 5153377159
- E-Mail Address
-
lara.j.hicok@aphis.usda.gov
(lara.j.hicok@aphis.usda.gov)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- JOFOC The USDA, ARS in Ames, IA, intends to award a fixed-price sole source procurement to QualySense AG, Unterrietstrasse 2A, 8152 Glattbrugg, Switzerland for a QSorter Explorer Robotic Seed Sorter for the purpose of single seed grain analysis that will be used to measure chemical composition of single seeds and provide images used to define morphology and other visual characteristics. The QSorter Explorer will have the following specifications: 1. Capable of capturing high resolution, < 5 nm, NIR reflectance spectra (900-1700 or 900-2400 nm) of single seeds. 2. Simultaneous image capture of a seed along with spectra. 3. Operative at relatively high throughput of at least 50 objects per second. 4. Capable of being used for seeds of a wide variety of plant taxa. 5. Capable of at least a two-way sort based on spectral and/or image measurements. 6. Allows user to develop custom algorithms from spectra and images for measurement and sorting. 7. Include on-site installation and training provided by the vendor on operation, maintenance and procedures to develop new sorting methods. The QSorter Explorer analyzes individual grain seeds at speeds of 50 objects per second by means of Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Color Vision technologies; a number of quality parameters are measured and used to sort the agricultural commodities. The high speed is needed in order to process hundreds of small grain samples for screening and sorting in order for breeders to utilize the information and then select samples for replanting in a short time. This is also true for quality evaluation of grain where many samples need to be tested for defects or contamination. This instrument should expand the quantification capabilities of single seed evaluation. QualySense AG has been identified as the sole provider of the QSorter Explorer single seed analyzer instrument and is the only known vendor that can produce this type of specified equipment. The Qsorter possesses the unique capabilities of full spectrum, single seed NIR spectroscopy in addition to multiple view imaging. This unit's seed rate is also much faster than anything that has ever been developed commercially or as a custom instrument. A few commercial instruments can provide vision analysis near this rate and a few provide discrete NIR wavelength measurement, but none provide both. Discrete NIR wavelength instruments are usually comprised of around 6 wavelengths or less and are not easily adaptable for multiple attribute measurement compared to full spectrum measurements. Pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 13.106-1(b)1(i) SAP Requirements - Soliciting from a Single Source. The equipment will be located at the USDA, ARS, Plant Introduction Station in Ames, IA. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on or about September 4, 2017. This Notice of Intent 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 4:00PM Central Standard Time, September 1, 2017. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via email/ mail to the Contracting Officer at the following address: Contracting Officer Address: USDA-ARS Lara J. Hicok 1920 Dayton Avenue Ames, IA 50010 Lara.j.hicok@aphis.usda.gov
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/notices/7fcb82b39ba479991df86d309c8f23cb)
- Place of Performance
- Address: 1305 State Avenue, Ames, Iowa, 50014, United States
- Zip Code: 50014
- Zip Code: 50014
- Record
- SN04635839-W 20170820/170818231442-7fcb82b39ba479991df86d309c8f23cb (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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