Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 07, 2008 FBO #2354
SOLICITATION NOTICE

66 -- Automated Gamma Spectroscopy Sample Changer System

Notice Date

5/5/2008
 

Notice Type

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
 

NAICS

334516 — Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
 

Contracting Office

Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899-1640
 

ZIP Code

20899-1640
 

Solicitation Number

SB1341-08-RQ-0277
 

Point of Contact

Paula A. Wilkison,, Phone: 301-975-8448, Patrick K Staines,, Phone: (301)975-6335
 

E-Mail Address

paula.wilkison@nist.gov, patrick.staines@nist.gov
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6-STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. ***This solicitation is being issued using Simplified Acquisition Procedures.*** ***This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-24.*** *** The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 with a small business size standard of 500 employees.*** *** The National Institute of Standards and Technology is seeking to purchase One (1) Automated Gamma Spectroscopy Sample Changer System. *** Background: NIST’s Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory has a requirement for an automated sample changer system for high-resolution germanium gamma-ray spectrometry. ***All interested Contractors may provide a quote for the following: Line Item 0001: Quantity One (1) Automated Gamma Spectroscopy Sample Changer System, which shall meet or exceed the following minimum specifications: General: An automated sample changer system with a capacity of typically 50 samples (but not less than 40) is required to transport samples from a storage area into a detector position within a lead shield and, after a preset counting time, back to the storage. The changer shall have no lower counting time limit and the upper limit shall allow counting times of up to 50 hours or have no pre-set limitations. The samples will be in form of standard 20 mL scintillation vials, which are generally 25 mm in diameter and 60 mm high. System Size: The sample changer shall not significantly exceed the footprint needed for a vertical dipstick Germanium detector with full 10 cm wall thickness lead shield (2 feet x 2 feet) and the adjacent sample storage area within a 5 cm thick lead shield; i.e., no more than 3 feet x 6 feet footprint space shall be taken up by the system. Sample Container and Storage: It is planned to use standard 20 ml plastic or glass liquid scintillation (LSC) vials with nominal dimensions of 25 mm diameter and 60 mm height. Slight differences among the various manufacturer styles of LSC vials must be tolerated. The sample storage area shall be shielded at the base and against the room in all directions, except for the top, with 5 cm thick lead. The walls of this shield shall be approximately 300 mm high. If mechanically feasible, the vials shall be stored in a tray with at least 20 mm of the vial inserted into appropriate holes sunken into the 5 cm thick lead base. Germanium Detector Shield: The system shall contain a “4 pi” lead shield with an automatic opening/closing top. The lead shield shall be fabricated from low-activity lead (lead bricks or cast segments) at least 10 cm (4 inches) thick and lined with a graduated absorber (e.g. Sn/Cu). The minimum internal clearance shall be 150 mm. The shield shall accommodate “in-line” vertical dipstick cryostats with the supports allowing for exchange of the typical 30 L detector dewars from below the shield. The height of the shield shall allow for sample positions between 0 cm and 30 cm above the detector end cap with the lid closed, i.e. at least 50 cm internal height is necessary to provide this flexibility. There shall be an exchangeable feed-through lead element on the bottom of the shield to allow for different detector end cap diameters. An electrical drive mechanism shall be provided for the lid. An operator shall be able to independently move the lid (or easily uncouple the drive for manual opening and closing the lid), e.g., when the system lacks AC power or otherwise encounters failure in automatically controlled mode. Sample Transfer: The sample changer control unit shall engage a pickup tool, which shall lift the sample vertically out of a pre-determined storage tray position, move the sample to the detector shield, and lower it (with the lid open) into the detector cavity. The sample shall be set down in a fixed sample position in a sample holding device. The tool shall release the sample and move out of the cavity, and the lid closes. The tool shall wait atop the lid (or another default position) until the count is finished. After opening of the lid, the tool shall be lowered to pick up the sample and move it out of the cavity back to its original storage location. The tool shall be self-centering to securely pick up the sample. The tool shall recognize failure (e.g., no sample in position) and generate an appropriate failure status in the control unit. The tool shall automatically sense the vertical distance of the sample position above the detector (or it may be controlled by the sample changer control unit). The tool shall feature a positive close and grasp design, so that in the event of an unexpected power loss the sample will not be dropped. Sample Changer Control Unit: A programmable CPU (e.g., commercial PC) shall control the sample changer and locally display its status and other operational parameters (color LCD display). Typically, the control unit shall be a slave to the gamma spectroscopy analyzer. The control unit shall interact with the analyzer via TTL-Level (+ or -) signals over BNC connectors, i.e., “Start Count” from control unit to analyzer when sample change cycle is completed, and “Change Sample” from analyzer to control unit when count is completed. Local controls, presets, i.e., number of samples in storage, the sample/detector distance, and manual operation modes are user-entered at the control unit. The unit shall control the sequence of pickup positions, the movements of the pickup tool, and the opening and closure of the detector shield. An alternate operation mode with the lid open allowing counting in different geometries by holding the sample in position with the pickup tool for the duration of the count, up to 50 cm distance from the detector, is desirable. Delivery terms shall be FOB Destination. FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. The contractor shall deliver line item 0001 to NIST, Building 301, Shipping and Receiving, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640. Award shall be made to the quoter whose quote offers the best value to the Government, technical capability, past performance & price will be considered. The Government will evaluate information based on the following evaluation criteria: 1) Technical Capability factor "Meeting or Exceeding the Minimum Specifications," 2) Past Performance, 3) Past Experience, and 4) Price. Technical capability, past performance, and past experience, when combined, shall be approximately equal importance to price. If Technical Capability and Past Performance are equivalent, price shall be the determining factor. Technical Capability: Evaluation of Technical Capability will be based on the information provided in the quotation. Quoters shall include the manufacturer or brand name, make and model of the products, manufacturer sales literature or other product literature which addresses all salient characteristics, and clearly documents that the offered product meets salient characteristics stated above. The following technical evaluation criteria shall be used in evaluating proposals received in response to this solicitation: 1.Meeting/exceeding NIST requirements: Reviewers will consider the offerors recommended product for its ability to meet all of the NIST specifications listed in this solicitation, most importantly: a.Footprint size of system; b.Implementation of effective shielding for detector and sample storage; c.Functionality of control unit: i.User interface; ii.Communication with analyzers; iii.Failsafe measures. 2.Experience with the design, fabrication and operation of automated gamma spectroscopy sample changer systems. The offerors tenure in this particular technical area will also be considered. Past Performance: Past Performance will be evaluated to determine the overall quality of the product & service provided and the Contractor’s history of meeting delivery schedules for prior deliverables. Evaluation of Past Performance shall be based on the references provided and/or the quoters recent and relevant procurement history with NIST or its affiliates. Offerors must provide a list of at least three (3) references to whom the same or similar equipment has been provided. The Contractor must include the references name, contact person, and contact information in the quotation. *** The full text of a FAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. *** *** The following provisions apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. *** *** Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://orca.bpn.gov in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items. If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required. ******The following clauses apply to this acquisition: 1.52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions—Commercial Items; 2.52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders—Commercial Items including subparagraphs: a.52.222-3 Convict Labor b.52.222-19 Child Labor – Cooperation With Authorities And Remedies c.52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities d.52.222-26 Equal Opportunity e.52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities f.52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons g.52.225-3 Buy American Act- Free Trade Agreement – Israeli Trade Act h.52.225-13 Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases, and i.52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration. Department of Commerce Agency-Level Protest Procedures Level above the Contracting Officer is also incorporated. It can be downloaded at www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/agency.htm. *** ***All quoters shall submit the following: 1) An original and one (1) copy of a quotation which addresses Line Item 0001; 2) An original and one (1) copy of the technical description and/or product literature; 3) Description of commercial warranty; 4) An original and one (1) copy of the most recent published price list(s); 5) A list of three (3) references which includes the contact’s name, phone number, and e-mail; 6) Country of Origin information for each line item.*** ***All quotes shall be sent to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Acquisition Management Division, Attn: Paula Wilkison, Building 301, Room B175, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640. *** This is an Open-Market Combined Synopsis/Solicitation for equipment as defined herein. The Government intends to award a Purchase Order as a result of this Combined Synopsis/Solicitation that will include the terms and conditions that are set forth herein. In order to facilitate the award process, ALL quotes shall include a statement regarding the terms and conditions herein as follows: The offeror shall state “The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document without modification, deletion, or addition.” OR The offeror shall state “The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following: Offeror shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s) Please note that this procurement is not being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC). If an offeror submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price. However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the offeror’s FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation. ***Submission shall be received not later than 3:00 p.m. local time on May 20, 2008 at the National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B175, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640, Attention: Paula Wilkison. Because of heightened security, FedEx, UPS, or similar delivery methods are the preferred method of delivery of quotes. If quotes are hand delivered, delivery shall be made on the actual due date through Gate A, and a 48 hour (excluding weekends and holidays) prior notice shall be made to the Contracts Office at 301-975-4959. NIST is not responsible for late delivery due to the added security measures. In addition, offerors/quoters who do not provide 24-hour notification in order to coordinate entrance to the NIST campus shall assume the risk of not being able to deliver offers/quotes on time. The Government is not responsible for the amount of time required to clear unannounced visitors, visitors without proper identification and without complete information that would allow delivery (i.e. point of contact, telephone POC, Building, room number, etc.). If 24-hour notification was not provided, it is suggested your company representative or your courier service arrive at NIST at least 90 minutes prior to the closing time in order to process entry to the campus through the visitor center and complete delivery. Notice shall include the company name, name of the individual making the delivery, and the country of citizenship of the individual. For non-U.S. citizens, the following additional information will be required: title, employer/sponsor, and address. Please ensure that the individual making the delivery brings photo identification, or they will be denied access to the facility. Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to the Contract Specialist (Paula Wilkison) @ paula.wilkison@nist.gov. FAXED QUOTES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. HOWEVER, EMAILED QUOTES WILL BE ACCEPTED. ***
 

Web Link

FedBizOpps Complete View
(https://www.fbo.gov/?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=cb78fa7a4f9d80c17700d8855b547c32&tab=core&_cview=1)
 

Place of Performance

Address: 100 Bureau Drive, MS 1640, Gaithersburg, Maryland, 20899, United States

Zip Code: 20899
 

Record

SN01566844-W 20080507/080505215847-cb78fa7a4f9d80c17700d8855b547c32 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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