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

66 -- TB/MICROBIOLOGY CULTURE SYSTEM SOL RFQ 618-69-98-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-618-69-98-LK is assigned to this Request for Quotation (RFQ) entitled "TB/MICROBIOLOGY CULTURE SYSTEM". 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 automated system for culturn for TB (mycobacteria, AFB, Acid-Fast Bacilli) that can be use dfor al specimen types. and will provide rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis. Current workload is estimated at 1700 specimens per year. Methodology used in offered system must meet the College of American Pathologists laboratory Accreditation Standards for Mycobacteria culture. Vendor shall provide to the VA Medical Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota, a TB culture system as manufactured by AccuMed International, Westlake, OH or EQUAL. Equipment required is as follows: ESP 256 Culture System II -- 1 each. Vendor is also requested to provide pricing for all media required to run approximately 1700 tests per year. 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 training for VA biomed tech. 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 additionalinformation, contact Linda Kelly at (612)725-2183. (0310)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0234 19971110\66-0012.SOL)