National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div., Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

66 -- RHEOMETER SOL 52SBNB7C1094 DUE 031797 POC Debra A. Hoffman, Contract Specialist; (301) 975-4648 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) has a requirement to purchase an ARES (Advanced Rheometric Expansion System) rotary rheometer (or equal). The system shall have the salient characteristics as described below. The system shall include test station, control computer, power chassis, stepper drive and controlling software. The system shall be capable of controlling the temperature of the samples during testing from -150 C to 600 C. The system shall have the capability of simultaneously measuring torque and normal force using the rebalancing technique. The transducer design shall be such that the thermal expansion is less than ten percent of that of the previous generation force rebalance transducer used in the RMS 800 rheometer. The transducer shall measure torque ranging from 0.1 to 2000 g-cm, and shall measure normal forces ranging from 2.0 to 2000 g. The system shall be capable of all standard test modes plus creep. The actuator shall include an air bearing and be capable of oscillatory frequencies from 1e-5 to 100 rad/sec as well as steady rotation from 2e-6 to 200 rad/sec, and include 25 mm and 50 mm parallel plate fixtures, 25 mm cones with angles of 0.1 rad and 0.04 rad, and 50 mm cones with angles of 0.02 and 0.043 rad; the fixtures to be attached to the transducer shall be made of titanium. The system shall include a disposable plate fixture consisting of upper and lower plate holders. The system shall include solids testing fixtures to accommodate rectangular samples 12.7 mm wide and between 0.762 mm and 6.35 mm thick. The system shall also include solids testing fixtures for cylindrical samples ranging from 2.4 mm to 6.35 mm in diameter. The system above has been identified by a "brand name or equal" description, which is intended to be descriptive, but not restrictive, and is to indicate the quality and characteristics of products that will be considered satisfactory to meet the agency's requirement. As a credit towards purchase of the new system, NIST will trade-in a RMS-800, LN2, oven, force rebalance transducer (2000 g-cm torque and 2000 g normal force capacity), 50 mm parallel plate fixture (upper and lower tools), 25 mm parallel plate fixture (upper and lower tools), disposable disk fixture (upper and lower tools), cylindrical rod fixture (upper and lower tools), 50 mm 0.04 rad cone, and 25 mm 0.02 rad cone (all fixtures are stainless steel). Proposals offering equal products will be considered for award. The quotation must list the manufacturer or brand name of the item to be furnished. This solicitation requires the submission of descriptive literature. Manufacturer's sales literature or other documentation shall be provided to show that the offered product(s) meet or exceed requirements as specified above. Delivery shall be FOB Destination within sixty (60) days after award. THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN THE FEDERAL ACQUISITION REGULATION (FAR) SUBPART 12.6, AS SUPPLIED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation 52SBNB7C1094 is issued as a request for proposals (RFP). The associated Standard Industrial Code (SIC) for this procurement is 3826 and the small business size standard is 500 employees. CONTRACT LINE ITEM NUMBER (CLIN) 0001 IS ONE (1) EACH ARES ROTARY RHEOMETER (OR EQUAL), AND CLIN 0002 IS THE TRADE-IN AMOUNT FOR NIST'S RMS-800 ROTARY RHEOMETER TO BE USED TO OFFSET THE AMOUNT IN CLIN 0001. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offerer whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. Offerors shall comply with the provision at FAR 52.212-2 and submit a technical description of the items being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements in this solicitation. The following factors will be usedto evaluate offers: (i) hardware design, (ii) measurement capabilities and specifications, (iii) software design and data acquisition and analysis capabilities, (iv) proven technical support, and (v) demonstrated pas performance or prior experience in manufacturing same or similar rheometers. The evaluation factors are listed in descending order of importance, with the first two factors being equal in points and adding up to approximately sixty percent of the total technical points; the third factor is equal to approximately twenty percent of the total technical points; and the remaining twenty percent of the total technical points are split equally between the last two technical factors. Technical performance is significantly more important than price. The clause at FAR 212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Also, the clause at 52.21205, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, (a) and (b) as follows applies to this acquisition, including subparagraphs (3) 52.219-8, (6) 52.222-26, (7) 52.222-35, (8) 52.222-36, (9) 52.222-37, (10) 52.225-3, and (15) 52.225-21. Offers are due by 3:00 PM EST on 17 March 1997 and must include a copy of the provisions at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items. All offers should be sent to the National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Division, Building 301, Room B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001. Faxed offers will not be accepted. For information contact the POC identified above. (0062)

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