USDA, ARS, PPD, Contracts Branch, ATTN: Theresa M. Stephens, Contract Specialist, 6303 Ivy Lane, Room 762, Greenbelt, Maryland 20770-1433

36 -- ZINSER MODEL 321 RING SPINNING SYSTEM FOR TEXTILE PROCESSING SOL RFP 18-3K06-96 USDA, ARS, Cotton Quality Research Station at Clemson, South Carolina, intends to negotiate a sole source contract with Schlafhorst, Inc., on a lease-to-purchase basis, for one (1) Zinser Model 321 Ring Spinning System (160-spindle capacity) or the capacity to process a 125-pound test lot of cotton into yarn within an 8 hour period or an equivalent 8,064 spindle hours. The ring spinning machine shall be modern, state-of-the-art spinning equipment comparable to that actually used in the textile industry today; tangential belt spindle drive for all spindles, ring rails and drafting system; variable speed drive (minimum of two speeds). Motor shall be protected from overloading and overheating. Vibration shall be minimized to eliminate variation in yarn, end breakages, and to maximize yarn quality. The doffing system shall utilize an external gripping system which never touches the yarns to reduce end breaks, decrease start up time and minimize damage to the spinning bobbins. All interested parties may express their interest and ability to meet the requirement through submission of clear and convincing documentation on their product to the contracting officer within 15 days after the date of this notice. (0207)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0319 19960726\36-0002.SOL)