Rural Development, USDA, Property, Procurement, and Mail Management Branch, FC-702, 1520 Market Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63103

75 -- FILE FOLDERS, TWO PART, 4 POSITION POC Point of Contact -- Charles Taylor, Contracting Officer, (314) 539-3827) E-MAIL: Rural Development, USDA, St. Louis, MO, 62645044@eln.attmail.com. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items 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 to be provided. A written solicitation will not be issued and any requests for a solicitation package will not be acknowledged. This synopsis shall serve as Request for Quotations numbered PSMD-97-C-07 which seeks written proposals for the type of file folder outlined herein. Proposals will be accepted until September 19, 1997. This synopsis and incorporated provisions/clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 90-46. This acquisition will be processed using the Simplified Acquisition Procedures. Proposals received in response to this notice will be considered for award to the responsible offeror submitting the lowest overall cost to the Government. Questions relating to this notice shall be submitted in writing no later than September 12, 1997 and sent via facsimile. Any questions received after September 12, 1997 will not be responded to. Answers will be provided in writing via facsimile before time for proposals expires. This procurement is set aside for small business. The small business standard is under SIC code 2675 which is 500 employees or less. The following provisions/clauses are applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors- Commercial (Oct. 1995), 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (Mar 1996), 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial. Items (Oct 1995), and 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Aug 1996). A completed copy of provision 52.212-3 shall be submitted with proposal to be considered for award. Copies of the above provisions/clauses are available upon written request and sent via facsimile at (314)539-2480. The following are the specifications of the acquisition: File Folder, two part, 4position, 9-1/2 x 12, 1/3 cut, self-tabbed, 1 expansion, gussetted heavy duty . (a) Stock: sheets: 20 -- 25 point red pressboard. Gusset: Red or brown spunbonded polyolefin (TYVEK). Construction: (a) Front cover: (The outside sheet of the folder which is not tabbed) 9-1/2 x 12 single ply pressboard sheet. (b) Back cover: (The outside sheet of the folder which contains the tab.) 9-1/2 x 12 single ply pressboard sheet which contains a 1/3 cut, 3rd position, 1/2 depth tab. All corners, including tab corners shall be rounded. (c) Punching: Both sheets shall contain pairs of 1/4 diameter holes punched parallel to and 1/2 in from each 9-1/2 edge. Holes are to be punched 2-3/4 center to center, with the hole located farthest from the gusset, 6 from the bottom of the folder. The second hole is to be 3-1/4 from the gusset edge, thereby, creating a total of 4 positions per folder, two positions per sheet, one set each on the 9-1/2 dimension. (d) Gusset: The covers shall be attached to each other by means of a gusset which must have a tearing resistance of no less than 400 grams force when tested. The gusset shall provide for an expansion of 1 between the covers. Gussets shall be attached to the covers by adhesive bonds (tape) no less than 1/2 wide (excluding gusset) which extends along the entire 12 length of the covers. (e) Quality: Folders shall be clean and free from dirt spots, holes, blisters, tears, excessive adhesive or wrinkles and shall have a smooth uniform finish. Edges shall be cleanly cut without nicks or ragged edges. Folders shall be free from any other defects which may affect their serviceability or appearance. Folders will be sampled and inspected for compliance with this specification. Packaging: The contractor shall be responsible for preserving, packing, and marking all items to be delivered under the terms of this contract in such a manner that adequate protection is provided against corrosion deterioration, and physical damage during shipment from the source of supply to the required destination. The contractor shall be fully liable for any damage, deterioration or losses incurred during handling and shipment except where gross, willful negligence or mishandling is lawfully proven against the United States Government. Packaging and Marking: (a) Folders shall be packaged 200 per box in a 275 pound (125 kg) test cardboard box. (b) Two sides of each carton shall be marked: RD Supply Item #39. Palletization: All boxes shall be palletized on 40 x 48 four-way entry pallets. The total load, inculding pallet height, is not to exceed 54 high. Boxes shall be secured to pallets, to facilitate loading and unloading. Each pallet shall lay separately on the floor of the truck and shall not be double stacked. Shipping: Material shall not be shipped on refrigerated trucks. The minimum truck opening height shall be 8 feet. Offers shall be received no later than close of business 15 calendar days after the publication date of this notice to be considered. Facsimile offers will be accepted at (314) 539-2480. Responsesto this notice will be considered for award to the responsible offeror submitting the lowest overall offer. This is a notice of intent to purchase using the Simplified Acquisition Procedures and is a total Small Business Set-aside. All responsible small businesses may submit an offer to be considered. No sample folders will be sent. Bidding shall be done from the information provided above. The lowest bidder shall provide pre-production samples within 5 days after notification of award for inspection and acceptance by the Contracting Officers Technical Representative. The successful offeror shall not manufacture the lot of folders ordered until official acceptance of pre- production samples have been provided by the Contracting Officer. (AC0903003-10) (0246)

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