The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) plans to award a sole source contract to OneVision Corporation for the SeamMate® System with Pro 400 Video Module. This contract, valued as a firm-fixed price, is not open for formal solicitation; however, responsible entities may submit capability statements for future consideration of competitive procurement. The deadline for such submissions is September 30, 2024, allowing the government to assess if competition would benefit the procurement. The contracting office is located in Beltsville, Maryland, and the contract will be performed in Albany, California. Notably, this procurement is set aside for small businesses, emphasizing a commitment to support smaller entities in government contracting. The aim is to ensure efficiency in acquiring necessary laboratory equipment and supplies, indicating the agency's operational needs in enhancing food safety measures.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has issued a Limited Source/Brand Name Justification for the procurement of a SeamMate System with Pro 400 Video Module from One Vision Corporation. This decision is based on the necessity to fulfill specific ISO/IEC 17025 standards, which require equipment with NIST traceability. One Vision's products are uniquely suited for the agency's laboratory needs due to their fully enclosed and automated seam saw, which addresses safety concerns and meets physical and electrical specifications. Market research determined no alternative competitors could provide equivalent equipment that satisfies these precise requirements, as others lacked essential capabilities such as automation, system compatibility, and adequate safety features. The justification outlines the rationale for the lack of competition and recommends One Vision as the sole provider. The document emphasizes the importance of documenting circumstances that limit competition in accordance with federal regulations, ensuring transparency in the procurement process.