USDA-ARS-SAA, Richard B. Russell Center, 950 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605-2720

66 -- CCD CAMERA/IMAGE ANALYSIS SYSTEM SOL RFQ-039-4384-99 DUE 092099 POC Elaine Wood, 706/546-3534 WEB: Click here to download a copy of 52.212-3, www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/repcert/html. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contracting officer by email, woode@ars.usda.gov. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number RFQ-039-4384-99 is issued as a request for quotations and incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through FAC 97-09. FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside is applicable to this acquisition. The standard industrial classification code is 3826. The small business size standard is 500 employees. The USDA ARS has a requirement for one CCD camera/imaging analysis system. The CCD camera system will be used to document DNA and protein gels, count colonies on bacteriological culture plates, image fluorescence labeled Southern blots, and perform light absorption and fluorescence assays in 96 well format plates. The software will need to be able to pick out specific image characteristics and return quantity of fluorescence or light absorption and to estimate the molecular size of materials in gels and make comparisons of the bands in a gel lane such that a comparative dendrogram can be made with data from several gels. Specific required characteristics are:1. 16 bit image acquisition, 2. F1.2 or better lens, 3. Pentium 350 MHz computer workstation, 4. 21" monitor, 5. Color printer, 6. "Darkroom" cabinet, 7. UV trans-illumination, 8. UV epi-illumination, 9. White-light trans-illumination, 10. White-light epi-illumination, 11. Image software, sizing software must be able to estimate molecular size of materials in gels, quantitation-software must be able to estimate reagent quantity based on intensity of image and band comparison software must be able to compare the banding patterns of lanes in gels and make dendrograms that show the relationships of samples using data from more than one gel. Delivery is required within 8 weeks ARO. Delivery is FOBDestination to USDA, ARS, Athens, GA. Descriptive literature showing the quoted item meets or exceeds all specifications included herein must accompany the quotation. The government anticipates award of a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsive/responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most price advantageous to the government. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The contracting officer will make award based on price and price-related factors. Offerors shall state on their quotation whether they accept credit card payments or are set up under the USDA Vendor Express Program (VXP) for EFT payment. If neither payment option applies, vendors should contact the USDA National Finance Center to enroll in the VXP. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror/Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, and FAR 52.222-70, Compliance with Veterans Employment Reporting Requirements with its proposal. Far 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5 are applicable to this acquisition: 52.203-6; 52.203-10, 52.219-8; 52.222-26; 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37; 52.225-3; 52.222-18; 52.225-21. The contractor shall extend to the Government the full coverage of any standard commercial warranty normally offered in a similar commercial sale, provided such warranty is available at no additional cost to the Government. Acceptance of the standard commercial warranty does not waive the Government's rights under the Inspection clause nor does it limit the Government's rights with regard to the other terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. The contractor shall provide a copy of its standard commercial warranty (if applicable) with its response. Responses are due 4:00 pm local time, September 20, 1999 at USDA Agricultural Research Service, 950 College Station Rd, Athens, GA 30605-2720 (or POB 5677, Athens, GA 30604-5677). POC Elaine Wood, Contract Specialist, 706/546-3534 or fax 706/546-3444. Posted 09/02/99 (W-SN376079). (0245)

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