USDA, ARS, North Atlantic Area, Contracting Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038

66 -- RAPID VISCO ANALYZER SYSTEM POC Lisa M. Botella, Contracting Officer and Point of Contact, (215)233-6551, fax (215) 233-6558 The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), intends to negotiate solely with Foss Food Technology Corp. in Eden Prairie, MN to furnish and deliver (FOB Destination) a Rapid Visco Analyzer System, RVA-4 to the USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, in Wyndmoor, (Philadelphia), PA. This system will be used to predict pasting properties of starch during the extrusion processing on research of extruded snacks. The system allows the use of variable shear rates and multi-cycle heating and cooling to explore wider theological properties of materials providing a full pasting profile within fifteen (15) minutes. The results from the system predicts the pasting properties of starch in the extruder. The system uses a sample size of two grams. The system includes a computer-controlled rotational Viscometer, Output Port, Windows Software which is "Year 2000 compliant", Installation, Training for two (2) employees, and an option for three (3) cases of Sample Canister and Paddles. The system utilizes automatic test routines that include operator instructions, multi-step shear and temperature profiles, and linked analysis functions. The Windows program is capable of connecting a maximum of four additional systems to one computer. The system must include a standard commercial warranty. The contractor shall provide one (1) set of the Operations and Maintenance Manual for the equipment. A one (1) day, on-site, training shall be provided for two (2) employees. The equipment must be compatible with an IBM compatible computer. Companies with the demonstrated capability to provide and service such equipment must submit a written substantive statement outlining the Company's and systems' capabilities to the Contracting Officer within 15 days of publication of this notice. This is not a request for proposal. No solicitation is available. Posted 08/12/98 (W-SN236226). (0224)

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