Radio Frequency Kiln

This is a sources sought notice to look for interested sources who are able to provide United Stated Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine Research group with one radio frequency kiln having vacuum and pressure capability to facilitate the development of commercial treatment schedules for solid wood packing material (SWPM) in accordance with the newly accepted dielectric treatment standard in ISPM-15 (Attachment 1). It is critical that this experimental unit heat bulk load of wood material in a uniform manner for proper phytosanitary control of pests/pathogens in the wood stack. The current ISPM-15 requirement for dielectric heat (RF and microwave) is 60 C for 1 minute hold throughout the profile of wood. In order to meet this standard, we have developed preliminary data to suggest that both vacuum and pressure are required at certain stages of the treatment cycle. Requirement Specifications In order to accomplish a successful design-build for our needs, we require the following: 1. Radio frequency (RF) generator output power of 50KW; 2. Frequency of 6.78 MHZ 3. RF generator protection that addresses current and temperature overload, electrode grounding, low air pressure, and door switch override; 4. Air cooling to RF generator; 5. Stainless steel vacuum tank (10 ft. or less in length) with sufficient space to house and treat 1200 bd. ft. of wood; 6. Sufficient seals/clamps on all doors and access panels to insure integrity through vacuum and pressure application; 7. Vacuum tank height in finished position on legs no greater than 9 ft. (includes any overhead protruding hydraulic structures for pressure plate, etc.); 8. Fully hydraulic pressure plate (upper electrode) 3m x 1m dimension; 9. Furnish quantity of 3 intermediate electrode sheets (3m x 1m) for placement in the wood stack; 10. A power assisted feed cart of comparable length to chamber (4m x 1m approx.); 11. Vacuum pump (7 hp) with 27" Hg capacity for chamber; 12. A 15 psi pressure capacity for chamber. An integral port welded on rear of chamber for later connection of a compressor. We will supply compressor separately. 13. An evaporative cooling system for chamber of sufficient design to reach 159960 kcal/hr. Chamber cooling system should have stainless steel cabinet, heat exchanger, water circulation pump and exhaust fan. " water line will be supplied for the makeup water. 14. Control system comprised of PLC that is fully automated with touch screen control; 15. Control system should accommodate and express RF generator tuning, temperature monitoring and control, moisture content monitoring and control, cooling system monitoring and control, and vacuum monitoring and control; 16. A port with door on the left side of the chamber (2ft. high x 1 ft. wide) as you face loading door to allow access to experimental temperature probes inserted in wood; 17. A small tray that is welded to chamber on left side between port and loading door that can accommodate a laptop for monitoring temperature probes; 18. Overall equipment footprint should not exceed 9 ft. in height and 40 ft. in length; 19. Equipment should be UL tested for safety; 20. Power source 480 Volt 3 phase; 21. Total input power to RF equipment not to exceed 150 amps @ 480 Volts. Interested sources must submit the following: - DUNS Number and Point of Contact - Statement of Capabilities - Additional information about an available product meeting the above specifications (or equivalent specifications) This is not a request for quote, but instead a market research method to determine interested sources. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No requests for capability briefings will be honored as a result of this notice. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. The Government will not award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information or samples they provide. Information or materials provided is strictly voluntary. Submissions shall be EMAILED ONLY to Kimyen Nguyen, the Contract Specialist, at kimyen.nguyen@aphis.usda.gov. Responses are due no later than July 29th, 2016 @ 2:00 pm central time.