Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Chief, Acquisition and Materiel Management (90C), One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417

66 -- INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQUIPMENT SOL RFQ 618-68-98-LK DUE 112097 POC Linda Kelly 612-725-2183 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format prescribed in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation that will be issued; proposals are hereby being requested and a formal written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation #RFQ-618-68-98-LK is assigned to this Request for Quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document and applicable incorporation provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-1. SIC code is 3826 and the small business size standard is 500 employees. The VA Medical Center Minneapolis, MN has a requirement for a high-speed DNA Electrophoresis/Sequencing Apparatus. System must be specifically designed to work in the Clinical Lab environment for the performance of medical molecular diagnostic testing. The equipment shall utilize the newest technologies in computer-controlled electrophoresis combined withPCR-based methods of sample preparation. The VA is looking for a system that can produce multiple diagnostic DNA sequences of approximately 300 base pairs in approximately 30 minutes. Vendor shall provide to the VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, a high-speed "Automated DNA Sequencing System" consisting of the following: (1) OpenGene System 1, Visible Genetics #VG-90005 or EQUAL -- 1 Each; (2) Hewlett Packard Vectra Computer Workstation configured to work with the GeneObjects DNA analysis software and NeXT operating system and MicroGene Blaster automated sequencer, 133Mhz Pentium processor, 1.3g hard drive, 32 Meg RAM, 2 MEG Video memory, 17" color monitor, keyboard, mouse, 1.44 floppy drive 8xCD-Rom. US Robotics internal modem VG-20020 or EQUAL -- 1 each (3) MicroCel Cassettes (50/pk) 50 micron glass Cassette #VG-41050 or EQUAL -- 1 each (4) SureFill 6% cartridge, premix of 6% acrylamide and photoinitiator, Fits into Surefill Gun for use in the Gel Toaster or EQUAL -- 5 Each (5) Thermo Sequencer Core Sequencing Kit, contains optimized reagents for sequencing with the OpenGene System, Contains Thermo Sequence DNA Polymerase, enzyme dilution buffer, reaction buffer, termination mixes, M13 control DNA and formamide loading dye, sufficient for 100 reactions, #US79610 or EQUAL -- 1 each (6) MicroGene Blaster #VG10116 or EQUAL -- 1 Each (7) Hewlett Packard 1600CM Color PostScript Printer #VG60010 or EQUAL -- 1 Each (8) Gene Librarian software #VG20060 or EQUAL -- 1 each. All items shall be delivered FOB Destination to the V.A. Medical Center, Warehouse-90D, Building 70, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, unless otherwise stated in vendor's proposal. Vendor shall provide information with his proposal as to delivery time after receipt of order, warranty, operator training, user and maintenance manuals and availability of biomed tech training. This will be a firm fixed price contract award. NOTICE TO OFFERORS: The VA may elect to make payment for any resulting contract by using a Government VISA card -- please indicate if your company will accept VISA card payment. 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, 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items 52-212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes on Executive Orders -- Commercial Items. Offeror shall include a completed copy of 52.212-3 Offeror Representation and Certifications -- Commercial Items. Evaluation Factors include: Delivery time frame, past performance history and reputation of offeror in the trade, price, warranty of equipment. Award will be made in the aggregate to offer providing best value for the Government based on the evaluation factors and will be made with or without discussions. Offers are due by November 20, 1997 at 2:30pm. Submit offers to Linda Kelly (90C), Contracting Officer, VA Medical Center, One Veterans Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55417. For additional information, contact Linda Kelly at (612)725-2183. (0310)

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