66 -- 66-DIFFERENTIAL SCANNING CALORIMETER

Notice Date

August 16, 2001

Contracting Office

Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, South Atlantic Area Office/Athens, GA, 950 College Station Rd., Athens, GA, 30605

ZIP Code

30605

Solicitation Number

RFQ-028-4384-01

Response Due

September 4, 2001

Point of Contact

Elaine Wood, Contract Specialist, Phone 706-546-3534, Fax 706-546-3444, Email woode@saa.ars.usda.gov

Description

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-028-4384-01 is issued as a request for quotations and incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through FAC 97-25. FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside is applicable to this acquisition. The NAICS code applicable to this acquisition is 334516. For a company to qualify as a small business, the small business size standard is 500 employees. USDA, ARS has a need for a calorimeter to measure respiratory rates in plants just above freezing, as ice forms and then as freezing progresses in the plant. This process will be used in determining the dynamics of freezing and the effect it has on plants through the freezing process until the plant is killed. Since respiration occurs in plants as they freeze, CO2 will be evolved. It will therefore be necessary to flush the vessels containing the plants, both to prevent CO2 toxicity and to measure CO2 evolved. This equipment must have the following characteristics 1. Must be able to measure heat evolution and pressure in at least 3 samples simultaneously against a common reference and using reusable vessels. 2. Volume of vessels must be at least 1 mL. 3. Must be able to scan from +20 to -30C. 4. The unit must be able to detect a change in heat capacity of at least 10 micro-cal/C, with a baseline noise level of not greater than 2.5 micro-cal/C in the scanning mode and 0.05 micro-cal/sec in the isothermal mode. 5. Must be able to easily interchange closed-vessels with vessels which can sample pressure changes. 6. Must have computer hardware and software for recording and integrating peak areas from heat and pressure changes. This would include a separate pressure transducer for each vessel. 7. Must provide installation and onsite training. Delivery is required within 8 weeks of award. Delivery is FOB Destination to Raleigh, NC. 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. PAYMENT: Any award made under this solicitation is subject to 31 CFR Part 208 which requires all payments made by the government to be made by electronic funds transfer. Vendors may meet this requirement by acceptance of government purchase card or providing a Vendor Express Number. If a company has not previously enrolled in the Vendor Express Program with USDA, they should call the National Finance Center at 1-800-421-0323 for an enrollment package. All offers must include with their quotation a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3 and a statement that the VETS-100 report as required by FAR 52.222-37 has been filed. The following FAR clauses apply : Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items, 52.212-2, Evaluation of Commercial Items awarded to a responsive/responsible offeror at a fair and reasonable price, 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items. 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, 52.222-37, 52.225-3, 52.225-3, 52.225-9, 52.225-18, 52.225-21, 52.247-64. All interested/qualified sources who can provide the items above must respond by 1:00 p.m., September 5, 2001. Quotations should be addressed to 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. Faxed responses are acceptable. This contract is contingent on availability of funds.

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www.eps.gov/spg/USDA/ARS/SAA-GA-A/RFQ-028-4384-01/listing.ht ml)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010820/66SOL005.HTM (D-228 SN50V1Y8)