USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 100 Centennial Mall North, Room 152 Lincoln, NE 68508-3866

70 -- LABORATORY INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (LIMS) Sol NRCS-1-TASC/SSL-95 Due 091295 Contact Point, Contracting Officer, Margaret J. Styles, (402) 437-5305. This is a Request For Proposal (RFP) to purchase an ``Off-The-Shelf'' Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) software (i.e., it is a proven commercially used product and available for immediate installation) and server hardware package with documentation. The package must have the capability to be tailored by the user to conform to the standard laboratory operating procedures. Customization may be purchased under this contract on any and all modifications made to the LIMS software package. The Soil Survey Laboratory (SSL) is a soil characterization laboratory that performs approximately 100 different physical, chemical and mineralogical determinations on approximately 10,000 samples per year or 200,000 analysis per year. The SSL needs an integrated hardware and software system that will facilitate scheduling; provide for identification, tracking, chain of custody, and batching of samples; collect data from laboratory instruments and bar-code readers; make calculations, comparisons and cross-checks; allow export of data to an IBM mainframe (VM/CMS 3270) and Sun servers (Solaris 2.3v TCP/IP Ethernet); prepare reports; and support a Quality Assurance Program. This system shall have a capacity of online storage for up to five (5) years of soils information with adequate expansion capabilities up to seven (7) years. This system shall be compatible with the existing Netware 4.1 and TCP/IP networks. This system must interface with Oracle database management systems. A pre-site meeting will be held for all interested vendors to attend in order to become familiar with the Soil Survey Laboratory (SSL) operations. Performance time shall be in accordance with Options chosen for purchase from the Date of Contract Award with a minimum of 60 calendar days to a maximum of 575 calendar days plus an optional year for maintenance at Governments discretion. The number of calendar days depends which Option will be purchased upon funds availability. The Government will have the discretion to chose which Options to purchase. Options are to be brought upon funds availability. Performance time includes complete installation, hardware, software, all necessary modifications, documentation, maintenance and training. Concerns that respond should furnish detailed data concerning their capabilities demonstrating the offeror ability to provide the system needed. Request for this solicitation packet will be available upon request. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the Agency. (226)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0524 19950815\70-0001.SOL)