USDA, APHIS, Field Servicing Office, Butler Square West, 5th Floor, 100 North 6th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403

87 -- POWDERED AGAR U.S.P./NF SOL 14-M-APHIS-99 DUE 111698 POC Robert J. Crowther, Contracting Officer, Telephone: 612/370-2115 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Pink Bollworm Rearing Facility (PBWRF), Phoenix, Arizona intends to buy a guaranteed 26,000 pounds of powdered agar U.S.P./NF, with an option to purchase up to 2,ooo additional pounds within 6 months from date of award. A fixed-price, definite quantity contract is anticipated. Delivery shall be f.o.b. destination as follows: 13,000 pounds on or before January 15, 1999; 13,000 pounds on or before June 2, 1999; and, (optional) 2,000 pounds on or before August 2, 1999. The "invitation for bid" (IFB)will be released on or about October 15, 1998. This acquisition is a 100% small business set aside. For a copy of the IFB, submit a written or FAXed request with your company name, address, point of contact, telephone and FAX numbers, e-mail address, and the aforementioned solicitation number. FAX requests to the Contracting Officer at 612/370- 2106. TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. A limited number of solicitations will be issued for this procurement, with priority given to firms currently on our bidder's list. Firms which do not receive a copy of this solicitation will be provided a Solicitation Mailing List Application, Standard Form 129. Upon receipt of the completed SF-129, your firm will be added to our bidder's list for future consideration. A copy of the solicitation will be available in the Contracting Office, Minneapolis, Minnesota, for review. Posted 09/28/98 (W-SN255480). (0271)

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