Dept. of Veterans Affairs, Network Business Center, 5901 E. 7th St., Long Beach, CA 90822

65 -- BACTEC 9240 BLOOD ANALYZER SYSTEM SOL RFP 600-038-98 DUE 042398 POC Ronald Ferrer This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with subparts in the Federal Acquisitions Regulation 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 document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-03. The Government intends to negotiate with Becton Dickinson, in this Solicitation No. RFP 600-038-98, a sole-source estimated requirements contract for a Blood Analyzer System on a Cost Per Test basis (SIC 5047). The Blood Culture Analyzer System will be utilized in a clinical laboratory setting for analysis of human blood specimens to determine qualitatively the presence of bacteremias. Pricing shall be based on the estimated annual quantity for the following media items: Item No.001, Plus Aerobic/F, Catalog No. 4402192, 120 cases (50 bottles/case) and Item No.002, Plus Anaerobic/F, Catalog No. 4402193, 120 cases (50 bottles/case). Proposal shall include pricing for the base year period, effective from 5-1-98 to 4-30-99, and for four option years through 4-30-03. Included in the pricing for above listed items are: 1) Bactec 9240 Blood Analyzer manufactured by Becton Dickinson; 2) Installation, start-up and validation study; 3) Set-up of equipment, to include training of Government employees; 4) Preventive maintenance (except for routine operator maintenance described in operating manual; 5) Emergency repair; and 6) Trouble shooting via telephone. The Bactec 9240 Blood Analyzer equipment includes the following: 1) PC and Accessories, Catalog No. 4405685, 1 ea.; 2) System Starter Kit, Catalog No. 4400076, 1 ea.; 3) Instrument Starter Kit, Catalog No. 4400075, 1 ea.; and 4) 9240 Instrument, Catalog No. 4405475, 1 ea.. The Contractor warrants that at the time of delivery, the blood analyzer system will be free from defects in material and workmanship and will be in good working condition. All said equipment will remain the property of the contractor. The Contractor shall provide technical support on a 24 hours a day / 7 days per week basis. Response time for on site service shall be twenty-four (24) hours from time of notification of malfunction by the Government. All tools, parts and labor needed to repair the malfunction will be furnished by the Contractor. The user agrees to maintain and operate the Cost Per Test system in the manner described by the Protocol. Requests for telephone troubleshooting, if due to analytical problems, require a response time of two (2) hours from receipt of initial call. Software and analytical instrument upgrades that are made available during the term of the contract shall be provided to the Government at no additional cost. Delivery of Bactec 9240 equipment shall be F.O.B. Destination to the VA Medical Center, Pathology and Laboratory Service, Bldg. 500, Room 1292, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., West Los Angeles, CA 90073. Delivery of consumable supplies shall be to the same address, with delivery terms to be: F.o.b. origin, transportation prepaid, with transportation charges to be included in the invoice. The required date of delivery is 15 calendar days from receipt of award and from receipt of subsequent orders. Offeror shall submit a completed copy of representations and certifications at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certification -- Commercial Items (Jan 1997). The full text of clauses identified herein may be accessed electronically at these addresses: http://www.arnet.gov/far and http://www.va.gov/oa&;mm/vaar. The following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) clauses and provisions also apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1, Instruction to Offerors -- commercial (Jun 1997); 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (May 1997); 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Aug 1996); 52.216-21, Requirements (Oct 1995); 52.217-9, Option to Extend the Term of the Contract (Mar 1989); 52.232-19, Availability of Funds for the Next Fiscal Year (Apr 1984); 52.233-2, Service of Protest (Aug 1996); 52.233-3, Protest After Award (Aug 1996); and 52.249-8, Default (Apr 1984). In addition, incorporated herein by reference are the following VA Acquisition Regulation (VAAR) clauses and provisions; 852.203-71, Display of VA Hotline Poster (Dec 1992); 852.216-70, Estimated Quantities for Requirements Contracts (Apr 1984); 852.233-70, Protest Content (Jun 1987); 852.270-4, Commercial Advertising (Nov 1984); 852.203-70, Ethics in Government Act (Apr 1984); 852.237-70, Contractor Responsibilities (Apr 1984); and 852.270-1, Representatives of Contracting Officers (Apr 1984). Facsimile offers are accepted at (562)961-8067. FAR Provision 52.215-18, Facsimile Proposals, is hereby included. Offerors must hold prices firm in its offer for 30 calendar days from the date specified for receipt. Documents cited in the solicitation may be obtained from the General Services Administration, Federal supply Service Bureau, Specification Section, Suite 8100, 470 L'Enfant Plaza, SW, Washington, D.C. 20407, Telephone No. (202)755-0325 or 0326. Offers are due April 23, 1998, 4:00 p.m. local time. Address offers to: Department of Veterans Affairs, Attn: Ronald Ferrer, Network Business Center (NBC), Bldg 149, 5901 East Seventh Street, Long Beach, CA 90822. Contact Ronald Ferrer at (562)961-8062 for information regarding this solicitation. (0071)

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