BIOREACTOR VESSELS COMPATIBLE WITH SARTORIUS BIOSTAT B BIOREACTOR CONTROL UNITS

This is a Sources Sought Notice Only. A market survey is being conducted to determine if there are adequate Small Business, SBA-certified HUBZone, SBA-certified 8(a), Women-Owned, or Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) contractors available for a proposed project who meet the specific criteria 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 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 limit competition to 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, Women-Owned, or other small business firms, or to proceed with issuing an unrestricted solicitation, inviting full and open competition.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Midwest Area (MWA), National Center for Agricultural Research (NCAR), Bioenergy Research Unit (BRU), Peoria, IL location is conducting market research for the following requirement.

12 bioreactor 2-liter autoclavable glass vessels that must be compatible with Sartorius Biostat-B Bioreactor control units and required parts with the following features.

Technical Requirements:

1. Compatibility with current Biostat-B Twin MO bioreactor control units.
2. Compatibility with current Biostat benchtop bioreactor vessels including stirring mechanism and water-based temperature control.
3. Compatibility with current jacketed water-based temperature control system for vessels.

                  a.  Connections for double wall UniVessel Glass.

                  b.  Needs to be able to connect to control unit water lines.

                 c.  Includes hose kit to connect vessel to Control Unit temperature control.

       4.  Stainless steel head plate with following ports/connections.

                a.  Ports available must include 19 mm, 12 mm, and 6 mm options, accommodating various sensor and accessory needs.

                       i.  Temperature probe

                      ii.  Oxygens sensor

                     iii.  pH sensor

                     iv.  Acid/base/anti-foam and feed additions

                     v.  Anti-foam Sensor

                    vi.  Water chilled condenser

                   vii.  Aeration Sparge

         5.  Stainless steel stirrer shaft with direct coupling to Biostat-B Twin MO bioreactor control unit motor.

         6.  Inner dimensions:  Diameter = 130mm, Height = 240mm.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516.

Size standards in number of employees are 1,000.

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 their business size status for the applicable NAICS code. Responses to this notice must demonstrate clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government, would not be cost or time prohibitive, and would not hinder the mission objective of the ARS research location. Interested contractors are instructed to provide only the data requested.

Responses must be submitted electronically by email only to the attention of Contract Specialist, Monte Jordan at monte.jordan@usda.gov not later than March 23, 2026, 12:00 p.m. Central Time. Reference Bioreactor Vessels in subject line. Telephone inquiries will NOT be accepted.