USDA, ARS, PPD, Contracts Branch, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 3-2126-C, Beltsville, MD 20775-5100

B -- FOOD AND NUTRIENT TESTING AND ANALYSIS SOL 04-3K06-00 DUE 061500 POC Lenear Bassett-King, 301-504-1712 E-MAIL: SOL 04-3K06-00, FOOD AND NUTRIENT TESTING AND ANALYSIS, lbassett@ars.usda.gov. USDA, ARS, AFM, PPD, Contracts Branch intends to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the purpose of obtaining nutrient testing and analysis. The RFP is anticipated to be a commercial item, multiple award acquisition in accordance with FAR Part 12. The government contemplates award of approximately 4 firm fixed price, indefinite delivery indefinite quantity (IDIQ) service contracts for a 4 month base period plus four additional 12 month option periods. This requirement is part of a five-year study which is underway to obtain values on proximate, carbohydrate, mineral, vitamin, fatty acid and amino acid components of foods as part of the National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program. Other components such as alcohol, caffeine, theobromine, etc may also be analyzed when appropriate to the food item. The purpose of the program is to achieve long-sought improvements in the National Nutrient Database through a comprehensive revision of scientific concept and technical approach. One of the objectives of theprogram calls for the analysis of foods under USDA-supervised laboratory contracts. Foods to be analyzed will be determined by the Key Foods approach, which identifies significant contributors of nutrients to the total nutrient intake, and will, in most cases, be sent to the contractor. The contractor may need to obtain a limited number of samples locally and ship them to a designated third party. The number of analyses for each nutrient or nutrient cluster will depend on their relative contribution to the total nutrient intake. One or more of the multiple awards anticipated will be made to a small business concern(s), who meet solicitation requirements. The applicable standard industrial classification code (SIC code) is 8734. For the purpose of this procurement, any concern submitting a proposal is classified small if its annual receipts for its preceding three fiscal years do not exceed $5 million. Offerors will be required to submit(s) a technical and price proposal for evaluation by the Government. An IDIQ contract(s) with fixed unit prices will be awarded to the responsible offeror(s) who submits the proposal considered most advantageous to the Government considering price and technical evaluation factors. All responsible business concerns may submit an offer which will be considered by the Agency. Place of performance is not known at this time as services will occur at contractor's facility. The Contracting Officer has requested a wage determination for counties in the DC metropolitan area. The Contracting Officer will request wage determinations for additional possible places of performance if asked to do so in writing. All such requests must identify offeror's state and county and should be received with your request for the solicitation or via email to the Contracting Officer. The RFP will be posted on the internet at the following address: http://www.ars.usda.gov/afm2/divisions/ppd/solicit.htm -- Offerors desiring a written copy of the RFP can submit a written request to the address above or requests may be faxed to 301/504-1717. No telephone requests for solicitation package will be accepted. Solicitation is scheduled to be issued on or about May 25, 2000, or 15 days following the date of this notice. See Numbered Note 1. Posted 05/10/00 (W-SN453452). (0131)

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