SOURCES SOUGHT - Service contract for Shimadzu TOC-LCPH, TNM-L Total Nitrogen Module, and ASI-L

Sources are being sought to determine if there are manufacturers/contractors available offering a domestically sourced item that meets the minimum description outlined below.  This is not a solicitation Announcement or Request for Proposal.  It does not constitute any commitment by the Government.  No award will result from this notice.  The purpose is to conduct market research to gain knowledge of potentially qualified domestic sources.  Responses to this Sources Sought Notice will be used by the Government to make an appropriate acquisition decision.  The USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will not award a contract on the basis of responses or pay for the preparation of any information submitted.  Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice.  After completing an analysis of the responses, the Government will determine whether to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition.

Purpose: ARS APD, Acquisition seeks to determine the availability and capability of potential businesses offering a domestically available service for the project below. The information received resulting from this market research will be considered for the purpose of determining domestically available sources.

Product Information: The Government seeks information from qualified and experienced contractors capable of providing a domestically sourced service contract to provide expert preventative maintenance and technical support for a Shimadzu TOC-L Analyzer system.  Serial numbers of the equipment are H54435602252, H5605601509 and H57415602505.  Our requirement is for one full year of warranty coverage and four  additional option years, with one annual preventive maintenance visit with parts, labor and travel included for each service year.

Current Known Source: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Inc.

Place of Performance: The place of performance is the USDA, ARS, Genetics and Sustainability Agriculture Research Unit in Mississippi State, MS.

Anticipated Solicitation Release: To Be Determined

 Estimated Delivery: Delivery is expected by the end of the performance period within each service year.

Description of Work

One scheduled preventative maintenance visit and extended warranty coverage per service agreement year.  Preventative maintenance will include necessary cleaning, adjustments, verification, lubrication, and parts replacement. Labor and selected consumables parts will be included.  The extended warranty coverage will include all labor and parts (excluding consumables) necessary to restore the products to operating specifications. In the event of a covered product failure, vendor will use its best effort to provide on-demand service. Other options could include on-site repair service, repairing the product at a service center or necessary replacement parts with installation instructions and/or phone support.

Disclaimers:

1. This notice is posted in accordance with FAR Part 5.2.
2. In accordance with FAR Part 4.1102, Procedures, System for Award Management (SAM), potential contractors must be registered in SAM prior to submitting responses, proposals, bids, or quotes. Offerors may obtain information on registration at https://www.sam.gov.
3. Any potential future solicitations will be posted exclusively on SAM.gov. Interested parties are responsible for monitoring this website for the release of solicitation and any updates or amendments.
4. Do NOT submit proposals, bids, or quotes at this time.
5. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice.

Instructions For Interested Parties, Capabilities:

Companies who have experience, as well as an interest in doing business with ARS, should submit a Capabilities Statement which, for this notice, is not expected to be a proposal, but rather short statements regarding the company’s ability to demonstrate their expertise and experience in relation to the areas specified in this notice.  Companies should also indicate whether they are a Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), SDVOSB, or Women-Owned Small Business as well as the Country of Origin of the proposed instrument and accessories.  Responses should be submitted by March 13, 2026, to the attention of Shelley Steen at shelley.steen@usda.gov.