Dept of Veterans Affairs, VA Maryland Health Care System, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, MD

66 -- SPERM ANALYSIS SYSTEM SOL RFP 512(B)-14-97 DUE 022097 POC Carol Pomraning, Contracting Officer (410)605-7156 Request for Proposal (RFP) No. 512(B)-14-97 is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-45. This acquisition is subject to full and open competition. The Standard Industrial Classification is 5049. The VA Maryland Health Care System, Baltimore Division, 10 North Greene Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, intends to purchase one each Sperm Analysis System. This system will be used to assess the characteristics of spermatozoa from both human subjects and experimental animals. Its use is paramount for an acceptable assessment of their motility and morphology characteristics. It is expected that spermatozoa from rats exposed to varying amounts of depleted uranium and controls will also be assessed using this equipment. The requirements for any system to be used effectively to analyze both sperm motion and morphological characteristics from both human and other species MUST include: (1) Microscope fitted with heat-controlled stage, appropriate objective lenses, phase contrast optics, and video camera; (2) Computer analysis system must be able to assess, edit and analyze data, compile and customize reports, store data magnetically and visually store images (VCR) and analyze stored images, to include the following parameters from semen samples at a minimum of 60 images per second: (a) sperm numbers/concentration; (b) motility of spermatozoa: (a) determination of the percentage of motile sperm in the sample, (2) determine speed, progression, linearity, lateral head displacement, and assess hyperactive motility; (c) assess morphological characteristics of sperm according to established, published criteria and according to user parameters; (3) ability to assess and analyze sperm samples from both human and other species(ability to use varying size sperm chambers); (4) On-site installation by company's representative and training of VA personnel in the proper use of equipment; and, (5) Minimum of one year software updates at no cost, and at least one year warranty on all equipment, hardware, and software at no cost. The following incorporated clauses and provisions are applicable to this acquisition: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items; 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items, apply to this acquisition with evaluation criteria to include: (1) Ability of system to meet requirements stated in this notice; (2) Availability of system; and, (3) Cost. (Criteria No. 1 and No. 2 have twice the weight of Criteria No. 3). Offerors are to include a completed copy of the FAR provision 52.212-3 with their offer. Also included: 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items; 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items; 52-233-3, Protest After Award; 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity, 52.232-33 Mandatory Information for Electronic Funds Transfer Payment. Contractors who wish to be considered must submit their proposal on company letterhead along with commercial product literature and brochures on the item being offered that meets Government requirements. Any interested parties must submit their proposals no later then February 20, 1997, at 4pm, Eastern Standard Time. No fax or telephonic proposals will be accepted. The Government intends to evaluate offers and award a contract without discussion with offerors. Therefore, the offers should contain the offeror's best terms from a price and technical standpoint. Award will not necessarily be made to the offeror with the lowest bid. (0036)

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