USDA, ARS, PPD, Contracts Branch, 6303 Ivy Lane, Room 762, Greenbelt, MD 20770-1433

36 -- YARN COUNT ANALYZER SOL 27-3K06-95 DUE 082995 POC Contact, Teri Taylor, Contract Specialist, or Brenda Wood, Contracting Officer on (301) 344-3125 The USDA intends to purchase on a Sole Source Basis, an instrument that automatically measures yarn count (size of yarn). The instrument must be capable of testing samples of 100 meter lengths at speeds ranging up to 600 meters/minute with an accuracy better than 0.005%. Weight precision of plus 1 mg: length accuracy within 4.0 mm. Automatic yarn changer for up to 36 packages of yarn (machine must run automatically and unattended until all packages are tested). Fully automatic zero calibration shall be performed after every sample length weight. All yarns are run through a single pretension device--eliminating inaccuracies due to tension variations. The Yarn Count Analyzer must automatically control yarn speed, sample length, number of samples per test and package stripping length. Yarn count shall be measured in any one of several yarn count systems (i.e. Tex, Decitex, cotton count, metric, etc.). Once yarn length is measured, the measurement data is sent to a computer and automatically converted into the pre-selected yarn count system and displayed. Has an integrated microprocessor control system. The computer automatically generates and displays other statistical data such as average, standard deviation, %CV, histograms, upper and lower control limits and line graphs. Limits can be set to automatically alert the technician of a problem. The USDA, ARS intends to award on a sole source basis to Lawson-Hemphill sales, Inc., a small business. All responsible sources may submit quotation which will be considered. This Yarn Counter Analyzer is being procured under the simplified acquisition procedures. See Note 22. (0201)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0449 19950721\36-0001.SOL)