SPECIAL NOTICE: NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

General Information

• Document Type: Special Notice


• Notice Sub-Type: Intent to Sole Source / Only One Responsible Source


• Requisition Number: 1174144


• Product Service Code (PSC): 6636 (Environmental Chambers and Related Equipment)


• NAICS Code: 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing)


• Place of Performance: USDA ARS Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 E Mermaid Ln, Wyndmoor, PA 19038

Statutory Authority

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Northeast Area (NEA), intends to negotiate a sole-source, firm-fixed-price contract with Opsytec Dr. Gröbel GmbH (UEI: HQ2KD3G82EP2), located at Am Hardtwald 6-8, D-76275 Ettlingen, Germany.

This acquisition is conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) and AGAR 413.106, which permits soliciting from a single source for purchases not exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) when the Contracting Officer determines that only one source is reasonably available to satisfy agency requirements.

Description of Requirement & Salient Characteristics

The USDA-ARS Characterization and Interventions for Foodborne Pathogens Research Unit requires the procurement of a laboratory-grade UV-LED Irradiation Chamber (Model: BSL-01i ECO+), complete with an integrated UV-MAT touch irradiation controller, an RMD sensor calibrated to 405 nm, specialized PC operating software, and an internal sample heating/cooling plate.

This system will be utilized to conduct non-thermal biological research evaluating the precise inactivation effects of blue light (specifically at a 405 nm wavelength) on foodborne pathogens across various agricultural commodities.

The government has verified that the following baseline technical specifications are mandatory to support active research configurations:

• Wavelength Operations: Must operate at a true 405 nm blue light spectrum.


• Irradiance Range: Dynamically variable and adjustable from 0 to 800 mW/cm² with intensity scaling increments from 1% to 100%.


• Thermal Tracking: Integrated heating/cooling mechanism operating within non-thermal limits from 10°C to 40°C to preserve sample biological integrity during testing.


• Data Log Metrics: Built-in sensor loop measuring irradiance constantly with digital data recording rates scalable from 1 second to 1 hour.


• Physical Footprint: Benchtop laboratory configuration conforming strictly to the available facility spatial limitations of 40 x 30 x 50 cm.


• Operator Safety: Interlocked enclosure operational layout to ensure strict radiation shielding for laboratory personnel.

Market Research & Justification Summary

In accordance with FAR Part 10 and USDA Desk Book guidance, market research was conducted from January through March 2026. A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed scientific literature and direct inquiries across established commercial channels (including Fisher Scientific, GSA Advantage!, and alternative equipment developers) confirmed that zero domestic or international alternatives can fulfill these combined parameters.

Alternative systems operate exclusively on traditional UV wavebands, lack high-output dynamic variance tuning, or fail to meet the mandatory structural benchtop dimensions necessary for safe deployment within the active testing facility. Opsytec Dr. Gröbel GmbH is the sole market source capable of supplying this specialized instrumentation package without causing extensive project delay or a critical loss of scientific capability.

Submission Instructions & Response Deadline

This announcement does not constitute a Request for Quotes (RFQ) or a Request for Proposals (RFP), and no formal solicitation package is available. However, in compliance with FAR and AGAR public notice transparency standards, the government will evaluate capability statements received from interested market sources to determine if a competitive acquisition strategy should be pursued in the future.

Entities believing they can fully satisfy the government’s stated requirements must submit a comprehensive technical capability statement. Submissions must include detailed technical documentation, manufacturer specifications, and explicit verification that their system meets every mandatory salient characteristic listed above.

All capability statements must be submitted electronically via email to the Contract Specialist , Michael J. Wheelock, at Michael.Wheelock@usda.gov. Responses must be received in full no later than 01:00 A.M. EST on September 2, 2026.

A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.