USDA, APHIS, FSO, 4700 River Road, Unit 100, Suite 2D04, Riverdale, MD 20737-1233

68 -- X-RAY SCREENING SYSTEM SOL 45-M-APHIS-97 DUE 012397 POC POC: Patricia Harris is the Contracting Officer and can be reached at (612) 370-2128. E-MAIL: pharris, pharris@APHIS.USDA.gov. This is a combined synposis/solicitation for commercial item 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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through FAR circular 90-42. Industrial classification is 3844. The following FAR clauses apply to this acquisition; 52-212-1, Instructions to Contractors-Commercial; 52-212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items; 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; 52-212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Brownsville, TX intends to acquire on a "brand name or equal" procurement a Rapiscan Model 526, X-Ray Screening System or equal. Standard features shall include a baggage counter displayed on monitor, capable of switching black to white, high penetration, image recall, crystal clear image, edge enhancement, enhanced image sharpening, low penetration, material separation, multi-energy colour, display a negative on the screen, operator log-in, organic/inorganic stripping, psuedo colour, variable colour stripping, edge enhancement, variable gamma and a minimum of two times two and maximum times eight zoom. This is a fixed-price, definite quantity contract. Delivery shall be 30 days ARO. Delivery address is: USDA, APHIS, PPQ, 1500 East Elizabeth & Int'l Blvd., Border Services Building, Room 208, Brownsville, TX. Contractor shall contact Alvaro Lopez at least 24 hours prior to delivery at (210) 504-4164. Packing for domestic shipment shall be in a manner that will insure acceptance by common carrier and a safe delivery f.o.b. destination. The packing slip shall be attached to the outside of the box and enclosed in a protective plastic pouch. One packing slip shall also be enclosed inside the container. The packing slip shall identify the contract number and quantity shipped. Internal packages shall be capable to withstanding handling during transit and storage. The bid shall be written and contain (1) the commodity, (2) quantity; (3) Unit of issue; (4) Unit price; (5) Total price. All bids shall be signed. Faxed bids are accepted at (612) 370-2106, Attn: Patricia Harris, hard copy of bid MUST be mailed to the Minneapolis, MN address listed above. All responsible sources may submit a bid which will be considered. (0008)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0288 19970110\68-0001.SOL)