USDA Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, One Gifford Pinchot Drive, Madison, WI 53705-2398

36 -- AUTOMATED CONTROL SYSTEM FOR RESEARCH LAB DIGESTERS USED IN PROCESSING WOOD CHIPS SOL RFQ-FPL-99-01 DUE 012999 POC Christina Shade, Contracting Officer, 608/231-9285 WEB: click here to obtain referenced FAR Provisions and, http://www.arnet.gov/far/. E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, cshade/fpl@fs.fed.us. 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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This request for quotation, RFQ-FPL-99-01 is for a stand-alone system, hardware and software, to provide automatic and semi-automatic control of three 0.7 cubic foot digesters used for processing wood chips (a more detailed description follows at the end of this notice under the heading ITEM DESCRIPTION). Equipment is to be delivered FOB Destination to the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory, 507 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53705-2398. Inspection and acceptance is at destination. Contractor shall indicate time for delivery, but it is desired by 4/15/99. When responding to this request, please indicate on your outer envelope in the lower left-hand corner: "RFQ-FPL-99-01, DUE: 01/29/99." The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-09. They can be located on the Internet at the following URL: http://www.arnet.gov/far/ they are located in Part 52. The Contracting Officer has determined that this acquisition will be handled on an unrestricted basis. All sources may submit a response, which will be considered by the agency. FAR provision 52.212-1 (AUG 1998), Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. SIC Code is 3625 with a size standard limit of 750 employees for the manufacturer to be considered as a small business. Offerors shall include with their proposal a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3 (JAN 1999), Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. FAR Clause 52.212-4 (APR 1998), Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Additional applicable FAR clauses that are cited within that clause are identified as (b) 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13. -- EVALUATION: Responses will be evaluated using simplified acquisition procedures (FAR 13.106-2). Selection will be made from the source, which in the opinion of the Government offers the best value. The criteria considered will be (1) TECHNICAL (capability of item offered to meet the agency need as described, with specific emphasis on compatibility with our equipment in place on digesters, and with emphasis on automation for repeatable and accurate cooks. A site visit will reflect positively in demonstrating your understanding of our need). (2) PRICE. Price should be for a complete control system. Since price constraints may make it necessary to do one digester at this time and add the others as needed, we would like a base price for one digester and two additional option prices for upgrading the second and third digesters. Please indicate the length of time these option prices will remain firm. (3) WARRANTY. (4) TECHNICAL SUPPORT offered (now and in the future). (5) EXPERIENCE in supplying similar equipment to the paper industry. (6) Quality of PAST PERFORMANCE (Since we would like to talk/visit with current users of this equipment, please provide this information in detail). Relative importance of the criteria will be determined on a best value basis by the Government. Responses shall address each of these areas in detail. They shall also contain descriptive literature and an explanation of the technical features, warranty provisions, and technical support offered. It would be beneficial to compare the technical features against the requirements outlined in the following item description. ITEM DESCRIPTION A complete control system for process management that is cost effective, flexible and repeatable for three each, 0.7 cubic foot batch digesters used for processing wood chips. This must be a stand-alone system, hardware and software, to provide automatic and semi-automatic control of the digesters. The system shall provide data acquisition for temperatures, pressures and flows. The operator of each digester must be able to monitor the cook at all times and make changes to the process if deemed necessary. The system shall include the equipment needed to interface with our existing measurement and control devices. It should include control for a primary temperature ramp and hold cycle and final blow-down and wash-down cycles, possibly including initial evacuation and liquor input. Installation will be by the Government (the U.S. Forest Products Laboratory), therefore all setup procedures; including manuals, schematics, diagrams, and calibration information shall be included to assist in properly performing setup. The system must be complete and ready to operate upon installation. SITE VISIT In order to ensure compatibility with our in place equipment, we highly recommend a visit to our Pilot Plant to see our equipment. Site visits will be scheduled during the week of January 4-8, 1999. Arrangements for a site visit may be made by contacting Mr. Charles Hillary or Mr. David Bormett, 608/231-9400 (8am-4pm), prior to Dec. 24, 1998, to schedule an appointment. Posted 12/07/98 (W-SN277832). 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