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Sources Sought Notice

Disk Bowl Centrifuge

Sources Sought #1096839-SS

This is a Sources Sought notice Only. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This Sources Sought is issued for information and planning purposes only as part of USDA ARS market research and does not itself constitute an RFQ.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is searching for vendors who can provide a FT15G Disk Bowl Centrifuge, brand name or equal.

Background: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture Research Service (ARS) has several lines of current research focus on separating butter fat from ice cream waste byproducts. The disk bowl centrifuge is a valuable and proven instrument for use in separating butter fat from milk and is being explored for use in ice cream waste treatment. Several current lines of research are reliant on the disk bowl centrifuge system. Our current disk bowl centrifuges are old and have broken down, and despite numerous attempts at repair, are not working at a satisfactory level. In order to include results in published articles, the performance of the system must be consistent and reliable, and therefore the disk bowl centrifuges we currently possess cannot be used. It is imperative for our current lines of research that they be replaced as soon as possible. While there are many disk bowl centrifuges on the market, the exact specifications of the disk bowl centrifuge system we are currently using, the Armfield FT15, must be met in order to allow direct comparisons between samples already tested and future replicates.

The requirements for the Disk Bowl Centrifuge shall include:

• Throughput up to 125 l/hr


• 12 motor speeds between 8,500-10,000rpm


• Separator bowl incorporates 19 discs


• Tachometer with a measuring range of 60 to 19,999rpm


• Feed reservoir with 10L capacity


• Includes optical tachometer


• Accepts 12-55% fat content milk

The Contractor Shall: perform all work described in this Statement of Work in accordance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, codes, technical specifications, manufacturers guidelines, USDA, REE, and the ARS mission.

This Sources Sought is only for the purpose of identifying potential sources as part of USDA ARS market research. The Government does not intend to make an award based on responses to this inquiry. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the Government.

Responses to the information requested will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.

The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified sources; Small Businesses; HUBZone small business; service-disabled, veteran-owned small business; 8(a) small business; veteran-owned small business; woman-owned small business; or small disadvantaged businesses;

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.

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response defines how it can specifically meet the specifications for the items requested. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After review of the responses received, a Combined Synopsis solicitation notice may be published on Sam.gov.

Original Point of Contact: All responses to this Sources Sought Notice must be received by May 1, 2023 by 9:00 am. PST the specified due date and time to be considered.

Email responses to Elizabeth Wilson at Elizabeth.Wilson2@usda.gov.

Responses will not be returned. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this Inquiry.

Do not submit pricing information in response to this Request.

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