Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Dye Scanner w/36 Position Autocop Changer

Notice of Intent: The USDA, ARS, WBSC intends to award a sole source procurement to A.B. Carter, Inc., 4801 S York Hwy, Gastonia, NC 28052, as they are the sole source for this type of equipment pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(l ) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The award will be for a Code 2940A - Dye Scanner w/36 Position Auto-Cop Changer. The USDA, ARS Southern Regional Research Center, New Orleans, LA requires an automatic laboratory scale sample knitter for producing tubular knit fabrics for dyeing and physical testing. The knitting machine must be capable of knitting various yarn sizes after changing only the knitting cylinder with no other modifications required. The knitting machine must have automated package changing capabilities in order to produce knit fabrics from at least 12 samples sequentially without operator intervention in order to allow efficient use of limited manpower. AB Carter is the sole US vendor for Mesdan S.p.A test equipment. Mesdan is the sole manufacturer known to produce a sample knitter with an automated package changer. The automated package change feature of this knitting machine is the only package change feature which is also compatible with existing test equipment (Mesdan Twistmatic Code 2532) within the research unit. The automated package change feature allows both instruments to test multiple samples consecutively without operator input. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order on or about September 20, 2018, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. 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 4:30PM central time, September 19, 2018. Information received will be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Inquiries will only be accepted via mail to the Contracting Officer at the following address: Contracting Office Address: USDA-ARS-WBSC 1001 Holleman Dr. East College Station, TX 77840 Attn: Joseph Covarrubio