USDA, ARS, Southern Plains Area, 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suit 230, College Station, Texas, 77840

37 -- STRIPPER HEADER FOR GRAIN HARVESTING SOL 3-6209-99 DUE 011499 POC Michael Douglas, Contract Specialist, (409) 260-9480, Fax: (409) 260-9413 E-MAIL: Click here to contact contracting officer via e-mail, douglasm@ars.usda.gov. 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. The solicitation number is 3-6209-99 and is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97 -- 09. This solicitation is a small business set-aside; the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code is 3523 and small business size standard is 1,000. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service request quotations for one Stripper Header for grain harvesting, equal to the model RX 48 manufactured by Shelbourne Reynolds Company. The stripper header is designed to pick grain from the stalk rather than cutting the plant and then separating the seeds in the combine. Residues are left standing in the field; not cut off and laying on the ground. The unit will contain a stripper rotor with eight (8) rows of teeth. The rotor speed is adjustable from the cab and offers 5 different speeds. A shaker pan moves the grain into the combine auger. The header has a nominal stripping width of 16 feet, an overall length of 17 feet 2 inches, a depth of 6 feet 11 inches, and a height of 3 feet 10 inches. The header must attach to a John Deere model 4425 combine. The contractor shall perform all delivery and set-up so that the stripper header is complete and ready to use. The stripper header shall be delivered to the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, 2300 Experiment Station Road, Bushland, TX. The Government "desires" delivery within 90 days or less after receipt of the purchase order by the successful offeror; however, each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their quotation. Acceptance and FOB point are destination. In order to be considered for award offerors shall provide a quotation on company letterhead detailing the unit pricing; descriptive literature and brochures shall also be provided for the product quoted. The Government is conducting this procurement using a trade-off approach, where technical capability of the product to perform the desired function and price will both be evaluated in making an award. For this solicitation price and technical are approximately equal factors, and the Government expressly reserves the right to award to other than lowest priced offer. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1 "Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial", 52.212-2 "Evaluation _ Commercial Items", Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3 "Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items", with this offer; a copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting officer or at http://www.arnet.gov/far. 52.212-4 "Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items", 52.212-5 "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items". Furnish quotations to Michael Douglas, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, SPA, 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 230, College Station, Texas, 77840, no later than close of business January 14, 1999. Quotations my be provided by facsimile to (409) 260-9413 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the contracting officer at (409) 260-9480 (voice) or email below. Posted 12/22/98 (W-SN282556). (0356)

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