U.S. Geological Survey, Procurement and Contracts Section, Building 25, Box 25046, MS 204C, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225

66 -- AUTOMATED SAMPLE WEIGHING AND DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM SOL 96-7310-1223 DUE 071996 POC Iris D. Turner, Contracting Officer, (303) 236-5900 x348 Concerns having the ability to furnish the supplies described herein are requested to givewritten notification (including the telephone number for a point of contact) to the procuringoffice above within forty-five (45) calendar days from the date of this synopsis. The U.SGeological Survey (USGS), Minerals Resource Survey Program (MRSP) is responsible foranalyzing pulverized rock samples for their elemental content. The near future anticipated workload is 10,000 samples per year with each sample requiring up to 5 different analyses. Thisworkload could increase to 20,000 to 40,000 samples or 200,000 analyses per year. Phase 1 theContractor shall build and test for functionality a solids aliquoting hand. Phase 2 would be todesign, build and integrate the hardware & software to complete the systems application so itwould be compatable with existing in-house Zymark Robotic Systems. The following is theFunctional and Technical requirements: Compatibility with existing Zymark Robotics Systemsin-house; interchangeable parts with existing Zymark Robotics Systems; ability of a mechanismto remove a pulverized rock sample without segregation; hand with tactile sensing to remove apredictable amount of pulverized rock sample with a calibrated scooped shaped finger set;robotics system to place pulverized rock sample in appropriate sample container on apredetermined rack postion and weigh sample; robotics system to place a cap on samplecontainer, PC programming and cummunication; field service support; education and training;System Requirements; incoming sample capacity will be 50; output digestion containers 5 racksof 50 for a total of 250 positions; throughput of system will be minimum 100 incoming samplesin a 24 hour day; sample aliquoting hand to distribute 0.2 gram pulverized rock sample; custominput racks for cardborad sample containers; custom racks for digestion vessel; fully automatedcapping station; custom rack for digestion vessel caps; balance interface components; Systemrobot to include: (a) base rotation of 360 degrees (b) vertical range of motion at least 13 inches(c) reach range of motion at least 12.5 inches (d) wrist rotation at least 370 degrees (e) liftingcapaity of 3 pounds (f) accuracy of position better then 0.1 inches (g) repeatability of positionbetter than plus minus 0.05 inches (h) all axes can move simultaneously; (1) reach 6.3 inches persecond (2) vertical 4.3 inches per second (3) rotation 1.3 inches per second (i) tactile sensing toverify successful completion of robot functions; system controller to manage workflow, personalcomputer interface with controller that uses MS-DOS operating system; all methods and datastored in standard MS-DOS formating; on site training to use robotics system; one year warrantyon all system components. Phase 1 needs to be be completed by September 1, 1996. Phase 2 ifimplemented would need to be in place by the September 30, 1996. Based on informationavailable at this time, and in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), implemented by FAR 6.302-1,the Government considers the item specified as a sole source from Zymark Corp, ZymarkCenter,Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748 and proposes to negotiate a contract with that firm onthat basis. However, should additional sources be identified, they will be considered. Firms whofeel that they can furnish the required item or its functional equivalent (based upon the criteriaspecified herein) are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement.An affirmative response would include literature, brochures and such other materials whichcorrespond to the required items stated herein. This information will be evaluated and used todetermine if competitive opportunities exist. Since no solicitation document exists, requests forsuch documents without accompanying information will be considered non-responsive to thisrequest without further consideration. This notice may represent the Government's only officialnotice of this procurement. See Note 22. (0155)

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