Acquisition Management Department, Building 54, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD 20889-5600

66 -- AUTOMATED STAINER AND COVERSLIPPER SOL N0016897RC0L23X DUE 070397 POC Sandra A. Musgrove Contracting Officer (301) 295-6491 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in 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. This solicitation number N0016897RC0L23X is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-46. The standard industrial classification (SIC) code for this acquisition is 3821. The small business size standard is $5,000,000. The small business size standard for a concern which submits an offer in its own name, other than on a construction or service contract, but which proposes to furnish a product which it did not itself manufacture, is 500 employees. The National Naval Medical Center's Anatomic Pathology Department has a requirement for one (1) Automatic Stainer and one (1)Automated Coverslipper. The specifications for the automatic stainer are as follows: Slide output minimum of 200 or more slides per hour. Simultaneously processing multiple racks of slides, providing a continuous loading and unloading system for slide racks; capable of simultaneously processing multiple staining protocols; minimum of 5 dedicated water rinses with flow control valves; menu driven and microprocessor controlled with a battery backup capable of storing 14-15 programs in permanent memory, can pause staining to edit programs; self contained fume extractor to enable operation without exposure to xylene and alcohol fumes including lids for reagents and a lid to cover the staining operations area that is supported to prevent sudden closure; programable different station times, station sequences, and different staining protocols simultaneously; plumbing -- will need to be near a sink (and drain) and current bench space near sink is approximately 4 feet; minimum of 18 reagent stations with a capacity of 450 ml each; rack exit door to allow continuous slide unloading without interrupting the staining process; rack entry door to allow continuous slide loading without interrupting the staining process; stainless steel and corrosion resistant construction due to hazardous chemicals used during procedures; programmable stainer via menu options with computer controlled keyboard; water saving feature which stops flow of water if none of wash stations are in use; flexibility of being able to terminate a staining program at any reagent and the ability to remove racks prior to completion of the staining protocol. The specifications for the automatic coverslipper are as follows: Coverslipping output of minimum 300 to 400 slides per hour; compatible with a wide range of standard glass slides, glass coverslips, and the capability of handling a range of resinous mounting medias; coverslips to be dispensed one at a time (per slide and without air bubbles) and be able to be set for various sizes of coverslips (24 x 40mm and 24 x 50mm being the most critical sizes); coverslips utilized are No. 1 thickness glass and must be lowered onto the slides in a defined movement that is dependent on the viscosity of the mounting media to minimize air bubbles and excess mountant via a vacuum suction system; broken coverslips should be detected and discarded without interrupting the coverslipping process; volume of mountant dispensed should be controlled (from approx. 20 to 150 ul.) and mountant type and flexible coverslip lay-down control is important so that smears and tissue slides can both be accommodated. Refillable mountant bottle up to 250 ml. or more; control panel with LEDs and push buttons with audible and visual indicators; self-diagnostic function to indicate status of when the instrument is low on coverslips, and when coverslipping is complete; batch or single slide mode with no damage to slides; fume control system with activated carbon filter to protect technician from hazardous fumes; slide rack capacity of minimum 28-30with a separate input at loading station to enable instrument cover to remain closed; output rack at the unloading station where after coverslipping, the slides are automatically transferred; Automatic stainer and automatic coverslipper should be compatible with each other. Two (2) complete sets of operators, maintenance and training manuals shall be supplied for each piece of equipment. Equipment should be delivered F.O.B. Destination, Receiving Dock, Bldg. 54, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. FAR 52.212-1, "Instructions to Offerors-Commercial", is incorporated by reference and applies to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-2 "Evaluation-Commercial Items" applies to this acquisition. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: technical capability and price. Technical capability is approximately equal to price. Award will be made to the offeror that meets the solicitation's minimum criteria for technical acceptability at the lowest price. To be determined technically acceptable, the offeror must furnish product literature that demonstrates the products offered meets all requirements stated in the above purchase description. Offerors shall include a complete copy of the provision 52.212-3, "Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items", with its proposal. FAR 52.212-4 "Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items" is incorporated by reference and applies to this acquisition and resulting contract. FAR 52.212-5 "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items (Aug 1996) is incorporated in this contract by reference, however for paragraphs (b) and (c) the following provisions apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246), FAR 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212), FAR 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793), FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212), FAR 52.225-3 Buy American Act -- Supplies (41 U.S.C. 10). Proposals are due due by COB 4:00 PM EST July 3, 1997. Proposals may be faxed to the attention of the contracting officer at (301) 295-0286. Offerors must acquaint themselves with the new regulations concerning Commercial item acquisitions contained in FAR Subpart 12 and must ensure that all Representations and Certifications are executed and returned as called for in this solicitation. All inquiries may be directed to Sandra A. Musgrove, Contracting Officer, at (301) 295-6491. (0167)

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