66 -- 66-Uster AFIS Pro

The USDA Agricultural Research Service Cotton Quality Research Center, Clemson, South Carolina, is in need of a commercial item that is being acquired from the sole source. The Cotton Quality Research Center conducts research (its objectives are to determine and quantify by physical measurements and chemical and biological analyses the properties of cotton fibers that explain variations in processing efficiency and end use quality and to develop and implement rapid instruments and methods for measuring these properties) under a variety of commercial/experimental conditions that are studied using modern manufacturing procedures. To promote this research, the Research Center must use state-of-the-art equipment for very specific research. The property that is being solicited is the USTER AFIS Pro BASE UNIT which contains the NC Module which counts nep imperfections (small knots or clusters of fiber) and the optional L&M Module which measures fiber length and short fiber content, plus cotton maturity and immature fiber content. Basic measurements of the NC Module include the amount of cotton fiber and seed coat neps (see below for details). The optional L&M Module measures fiber length and short fiber content, plus cotton maturity and immature fiber content (see below for details). It is imperative that the Cotton Quality Research Station obtain an instrument for measuring the fiber quality parameters of individual cotton fibers. The unique measuring system of the USTER AFIS PRO counts every fiber, nep and trash particle one by one. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that the AFIS PRO produces as its data product distributions of the measured fiber properties as opposed to bulk average values produced by similar items (see below). The Fiber Individualizer ensures single fiber measurement. This design provides data of accuracy and precision required for researchers to make sound process control decisions. The USTER AFIS Sensor also uses patented technology, ensuring true single fiber, nep and trash particle counts so that the researchers get the detailed information needed to set production machinery accurately. In particular, the NC (Nep Count) Module measures the following parameters: Nep Cnt/g - The total nep count normalized per gram. This includes both fiber and seed coat neps. Nep size - The mean size of all neps (both fiber and seed coat neps). SCN Cnt/g - Seed coat nep count per gram. This is the number of neps normalized per gram that are classified as seed coat neps. SCN Size - Seed coat nep size. The mean size of the seed coat neps. The L&M (Length & Maturity) Module measures: L(n) - Mean length of the fibers calculated by number. L(n) %CV - Coefficient of the variation of the mean length of the fibers calculated by number. SFC(n) - The percent of fibers, calculated by number, that are less than the length entered for the SHORT FIBER CONTENT limit. L(w) - The average length of all the fibers in the sample computed on a weight basis. L(w)%CV - Coefficient of variation of the mean length of the fibers calculated by weight. SFC(w) - The average short fiber content of all the fibers in the sample calculated on a weight basis. UQL(w) - Upper Quartile length of the fibers by weight. This is the length which is exceeded by 25% of the fibers by weight. Fineness - Mean fiber fineness in weight per unit length. Maturity Ratio - The ratio of fibers with a 0.5 (or more) circularity ratio divided by the amount of fibers with a 0.25 (or less) circularity. IFC - Immature Fiber Content is the percentage of fibers with less than a 0.25 circularity. There is no known vendor that makes any thing that will do what the AFIS (Advanced Fiber Information System) can do. As explained above, the USTER AFIS PRO measures individual fibers and neps by utilizing patented and proprietary high speed electro-optic systems. Based upon an exhaustive survey of the market we have determined that the only possible competitors to the USTER AFIS PRO are the high volume instrument systems (HVI) and the Isotester. The HVI's and Isotester measure bulk average fiber properties associated with a bulk fiber sample as opposed to distributional information associated with the distribution of individual fiber properties. The HVI systems measure average values of bulk fiber samples for the following parameters that are similar, but not exactly the same as those measured by the USTER AFIS PRO: Rd - Fiber Reflectance. +b - Fiber yellowness. %Area - Area of trash particles visible on surface of fiber. TrashParticleCount - Number of trash particles per unit surface area of fiber. Staple - Effective length of the fibers measured in inches. UHM - Upper half mean length of the fibers measured in inches. UI - Length uniformity index. SFC - The percent of fibers by weight less than 12.5 mm in length. The Isotester measures the following parameters for average bulk specimens that are similar, but not exactly the same as those measured by the USTER AFIS PRO: CG - Color Grade. Rd - Fiber Reflectance. +b - Fiber yellowness. %Area - Area of trash particles visible on surface of fiber. TrashParticleCount - Number of trash particles per unit surface area of fiber. Staple - Effective length of the fibers measured in inches. UHM - Upper half mean length of the fibers measured in inches. UI - Length uniformity index. SFC - The percent of fibers by weight less than 12.5 mm in length. Our market research consulted several resources. These included scientific journals, periodicals/popular press, internet search, and commodity/trade associations. In particular: Scientific Journals: Textile Research Journal and Journal of Cotton Science. Periodicals/ Popular Press: Textile News and Textile World. Internet Search: http://www.premierevolvics.com/; http://www.schaffnertech.com/; and http://www.uster.com/uster.asp?content=17&idMainNavig=2&title=FIBER; Commodity/Trade Association: Cotton Incorporated, The National Cotton Council, and the Agricultural Marketing Service - Cotton Program. Numbered Note 22 applies, except it is modified to read ten days.