Intent to Contract for of a 137Cs GAMMA IRRADIATOR CHARACTERIZATION, EDINBURG, TX The USDA, Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS), PPQ Edinburg, TX intends to award a sole source Firm Fixed Price purchase order under the statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition per statutory authority is 41U.S.C. 253(c)(1) FAR 6.302-1 to Rotunda Scientific Technologies, LLC. The property or services needed are available from only one responsible qualified source at this time and no other type of property or services will satisfy these needs. Rotunda Scientific Technologies, LLC is the only manufacturer and Service Center for this instrument. Note that they are the only company in the market approved to perform the maintenance on their machines; therefore, Rotunda Scientific Technologies, LLC is the sole source and vendor of these services. Failure to meet this requirement would result in the loss of the MFF to not be able to sterilize their brood as we continue to irradicate this species in which cause and has caused great damages to the fruit industry. Summary: Rotunda Scientific Technologies will perform and provide the following: Dosimetry. On-site intervention & Report 1 each Supply and readout of alanine dosimeters at the quantity of 414 dosimeters Reports Provided: · Dose mapping: 2 reports · Dose rate calibration: 2 reports · Excel sheet for timer setpoints: 1 sheet Travel will be paid inclusive with services provided. Travel and lodging fees shall not exceed permittable fees as stated in USDA Travel policies and regulations. History and General Information: The Irradiator consists of four main parts: 1) the main biological shield, 2) the integral movable rotor, 3) fixed radioactive sources, and 4) the control drive mechanism. The irradiator is designed to process cylindrical canisters 5 inches in diameter by 20 inches long which are made of metal or other durable material. Canisters used in Hawaii are made of steel with an aluminum lid. A plexiglass insert is also used for sampling. Pertinent characteristics of the Husman irradiator are summarized as follows: Irradiator Size - 36" diameter x 40" long Base - 48" x 48" Construction-Lead encased with carbon steel outside and stainless-steel inside. Weight -Approximately 17,000 pounds Source - Six Cs137 Sealed Cylindrical Sources; 42,000 ci Total. Dose Uniformity - 1.6 (in air) Centerline dose rate - Approximately 200,000 rad per hour Canister Size - 5" diameter x 20" long Functional Type - Continuous Production Drive System - Motor driven index drive with cam and follower Power Source required - Standard wall outlet, 1 l0V, 60 cycle External Dose Rate Level - Less than 2 Mrad per hour at surface Vendor Requirements: The following dose mappings will be carried out at the USDA APHIS PPQ Waimanalo, Hawaii, facility: 1. Dose mapping in the whole irradiation volume (cannister) filled with air. A suitable jig may be used to place dosimeters that are not on the cylinder surfaces. 2. Dose mapping in the whole irradiation volume (cannister) loaded with dummy product (phantom), such as rice. 3. Dose mapping in the whole irradiation volume (cannister) loaded with pupae, for realistic measurements. In addition, the following trials will be carried out in the same facility: 1. Calibration of the absorbed dose to water rate that the irradiator provides. 2. Assessment of the transit dose, and the study of its impact on the dose uniformity inside the cannister. This trial is performed only if the Husman irradiator allows irradiating with very short duration (1 second or less). For dose mappings, alanine dosimeters will be used. Dosimeter calibration is traceable to a primary international standard. Contractor will calculate and advise on appropriate number of alanine dosimeters for this characterization. For the absorbed dose to water rate, as well as the assessment of the transit dose, an ion chamber or alanine pellets could be used. Both dosimetry systems are traceable to a primary international standard. If an ion chamber is used, the contractor shall ensure the feasibility of its use. In particular, it will be necessary to determine how to fit the detector into the canister and ensure the passage of the any cables needed. Vendor Access: USDA APHIS PPQ will provide access to the following materials for completion of the work described within: Access to irradiators for scheduled testing Cannisters for testing Pupae (sausages) in pre-negotiated quantities USDA APHIS PPQ’s Fruit Fly Exclusion and Detection Cross Functional Working Group (FFED CFWG) retains responsibility for reviewing and approving reports and final products generated under the contract. The FFED CFWG may designate subject matter experts to assist in review. Small business concerns are encouraged to participate. This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals, but instead a market research method to determine interested sources. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action is based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose to determine whether conducting a competitive (i.e. non-brand name) procurement is in the best interest of the Government. Interested sources who submit data are responsible for appropriately marking information if it is proprietary in nature. Please provide past performance and references regarding your ability to provide this supply and service along with your Statement of Capability. The Government will not award a contract based on the information received, nor reimburse participants for information they provide. Information provided is strictly voluntary. Please email Statements of Capability to Tom Wesley:
[email protected]. Telephonic inquiries will not be honored. Closing date for submission of Statements of Capability is 31 May 2023 at 3:30 PM Central Standard Time. The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 339999 with an associated PSC Q522.