SOURCES SOUGHT: THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR QUOTATION BUT INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY! This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary and the Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the Government.
The Request for Information (RFI) number is FA700024RFI806 and shall be used to reference any written responses to this source sought.
The United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado, anticipates a requirement that is being considered under a small business set-aside program. The North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code proposed is 334516. The size standard is 1,000 employees.
The requirement is to provide three new illuminated CO2 incubators capable of simultaneous high temperature and high relative humidity conditions to perform critical research experiments with cyanobacteria/plants for biotechnology and space biosciences applications. The Environmental chambers must include the following minimum salient characteristics:
Two (of three) Chambers:
- Minimum Dimensions: 29 cubic feet of interior space, 21 square feet of total shelving area over 4 shelves, 10" of growth height between shelves with all 4 shelves installed.
- Temperature Control: Programmable temperature range of 7 to 44 degrees Celsius with lights on and 2 to 44 degrees Celsius with lights off.
- Lighting: LED lighting over each shelf with each light tier independently dimmable with an intensity of up to 330 micromoles/square meter/second at 6 inches from lamps. PAR sensors for each tier allowing each light tier to be set at a specific micromole/square meter/second light intensity. Ability to program lighting for diurnal and other time-based on/off schedules.
- Humidity: Programmable humidity control with ultrasonic humidifier and dehumidifier and advanced relative humidity (RH) sensor with +/- 5% RH control for humidity of 40% - 85% RH with lights off and temperatures between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius.
- High temperature with high humidity requirements: Door and frame heaters with drip deflectors, stainless steel interior, and high-temperature fans. Incubator must be able to operate at 50% relative humidity at 40 degrees Celsius without condensation problems.
- Carbon Dioxide: Sensor-based control of CO2 in the range of 0-10%.
- Incubator Construction: At least one 1.25-inch diameter access port on a side wall with included air-tight plug, at least two 120/1/60 interior convenience receptacles, floor drain, large front door that provides full access to the interior, highly reflective interior wall finish, and 120/1/60 grounded power cord with plug.
One (of three) Chamber:
- Control system with 3 programming styles: Diurnal, 24 hour, and non-24hr (elapsed time)
- Exterior Dimensions: approximately W 41" x D 34" x H 77"
- Interior Space: approximately 37 cubic feet
- Total Shelving Area: approximately 34 square feet over five tiers
- Growth Height: 9.5" per tier
- Temperature Range: 5- 44 degrees Celsius with lights on, 2- 44 degrees Celsius with lights off
- Lighting: White linear LEDs vertically mounted inside of chamber. Intensity up to 120 moles/m2/s of light irradiance measured at 6" from the LEDs. Dimmable by percentage between 5-100% in 1% increments
- Phenolic Coated Coil: Refrigeration coil is phenolic coated to prolong the life of chamber from the acidic environment that can be created by Drosophila
- Condensing Unit: Standard self-contained air-cooled condensing unit
- Ultrasonic Humidifier & Dehumidifier with Electronic RH Sensor: 40 - 85% RH for temp range 15-30 degrees Celsius
- Electrical Service requirements: 120/1/60 - two grounded cords each with NEMA 5-15P plug
- Convenience Receptacles: Two 120/1/60 interior convenience receptacles
All items must be compliant with the Buy American statute.
Shipping is FOB Destination to USAFA, CO 80840.
Interested parties of any size business are invited to submit a capabilities package clearly demonstrating their ability to meet this requirement. Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a Foreign-owned/foreign-controlled firm and any contemplated use of foreign national employees on this effort. Include in your capabilities package your UEI number, Cage Code, System for Award Management (SAM) expiration date, any related specifications/drawings, and answers to the following questions:
- Where is the product manufactured?
- Who is the manufacturer?
- What is your estimated time for delivery?
NOTE: RESPONSES TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT SHALL STATE IF THEY ARE A SUPPLIER OR MANUFACTURER!
All contractors doing business with the Federal Government must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. The website for registration is www.sam.gov.
Responses and any additional questions may be submitted electronically to tammy.martin.6@us.af.mil by 10:00 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time, Tuesday, August 13, 2023.
