The Department of Defense, specifically the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), intends to issue a sole source contract to Plastometrex USA Inc. for the procurement of a Plastometrex Benchtop Indentation Plastometer and associated accessories. The required equipment includes a calibration kit, HotStage Hardware Module, Corsica(+) software, a replacement indenter tip set, and virtual user training, all of which are uniquely manufactured by Plastometrex USA Inc. and are essential for ongoing ERDC research projects that necessitate precise stress/strain data and high-temperature testing capabilities. Interested vendors may submit capability statements or proposals to demonstrate their ability to meet these specific requirements, with submissions due by 1:00 PM CST on August 14, 2025, to the primary contacts Jennifer Hoben and David Ammermann via their provided email addresses.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory (GSL) intends to issue a sole source award to Plastometrex USA Inc. (CAGE Code: 03S53) to procure(1) Plastometrex Benchtop Indentation Plastometer with all parts required for normal operation including calibration kit and pelican case, (1) Plastometrex HotStage Hardware Module, (1) Corsica(+) software to perform analysis, and (1) Replacement indenter Tip Set, (1) Virtual User Training in use and operation of the subject Plastometer. The items are manufactured and distributed exclusively by Plastometrex USA, Inc.

The Indentation Plastometer provided by Plastometrex is unique in that it is currently the only known Plastometer that features the ability to provide stress/strain data using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) while maintaining resolution of up to 0.3 μm, which is a requirement to ensure that data is valid for current and on-going ERDC research projects. Additionally, the HotStage module feature included in the Plastometrex Benchtop Indentation Plastometer is unique only to the Plastometrex Indentation Plastometer, which allows for the testing of materials at elevated temperatures up to 800 C, which is required for ERDC’s current research. The Plastometrex Indentation Plastometer manufactured solely by Plastometrex USA Inc. is the only known system that is able to meet the governments resolution and temperature requirements. There are no approved third-party resellers. Thus, no other product will meet the government’s specific requirement. Therefore, it is imperative that this purchase be made on a sole source basis from Plastometrex USA Inc.  
  
Therefore, the Government intends to award a Firm-Fixed price contract to Plastometrex USA Inc. in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). Plastometrex USA Inc. is a small business concern under the applicable NAICS code 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a size standard of 600 employees. This notice of intent is for information purposes only.

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals.  A solicitation will not be issued.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement.  The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each.

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.  A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Jennifer Hoben at Jennifer.Hoben@usace.army.mil and David Ammermann at David.G.Ammermann@usace.army.mil no later than 1:00PM CST 14 August 2025.

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