USDA, ARS, North Atlantic Area, Contracting Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038

66 -- SPIRAL BIOTECH AUTOPLATE 4000 SPIRAL PLATER, CASBA II AND CASBA 4 SYSTEMS DUE 071098 POC POC., Regina Cross, (215) 233-6553; Regina M. Herchak, Contracting Officer The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS) intends to negotiate solely with Spiral Biotech, Inc., Bethesda, MD to purchase (3) Autoplate 4000 Spiral Plater (1) CASBA II Colony Counting System and (1) CASBA 4 system w/computer for their location in Wyndmoor, PA 19038. The Autoplate 4000 Spiral Plater is a microprocessor controlled dispenser that accurately deposits a liquid sample in spiral pattern onto the surface of a rotating agar plate. The Spiral Plater will be used in conjunction with the CASBA II, 500A Laser Colony Scanner. The CASBA II (Computer Assisted Spiral BioAssay) plate reading and analysis system consists of a Model 500A Laser Colony Scanner. A Model 900 Computer/Scanner Interface Card, an IBM-compatible computer, and Bacterial Enumeration Software (BEN). The CASBA 4 utilizes a high resolution CCD Line scanner that has an optical resolution capability of up to 600 dots per inch independent of image size (not a fixed-array camera). Plate is automatically centered and positioned for scanning. All items are manufactured by the same company and are calibrated to work in tandem. The contractor is required to install and test the equipment. The contractor shall also provide on-site installation and training. Companies with the demonstrated capability of providing this equipment must submit a descriptive statement, including descriptive literature, specifically addressing the equipment's component's and availability, and the companies capability to maintain/support it. The statement and literature must be submitted to the CO within 15 days of publication of this notice. This is not a request for proposal. No solicitation is available. (0174)

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