USDA-ARS-MWA, Contracting Office, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604

66 -- INSTRON 5566 TABLE MOUNTED MATERIALS TESTING SYSTEM SOL 5114-9-3112 DUE 042299 POC Lorna Flansburg 309-681-6615 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, flansbul@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 notice constitutes the only solicitation; Quotations (RFQ) are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation is being issued as Request for Quotation number 5114-9-3112. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular number 97-10. SIC code is 3826 and the size standard is 500 employees. Contractor to provide the following items: Item 1) 1 each Instron 5566 table mounted materials testing system, capacity 10kN. Item 2) 1 each 2525-804 tension-compression load cell, 10 kN capacity. Item 3) 1 each 2525-807 tension-compression load cell 0.1kN capacity. Item 4) 1 each 2410-201 Merlin II materials testing control/display/report software. Item 5) 1 each 240-201-U1 TestProfiler custom/cyclical sequence controlsoftware. Item 6) 1 each 2910-051 load frame support table. Item 7) 1 each 2490-650 computer, 17" display monitor, and operating system. Item 8) 1 each 2501-083 compression anvil, 2" dia, upper. Item 9) 1 each 2501-162 compression anvil, 2" dia, lower. Background and Salient Characteristics: A 10 kN capacity materials testing machine with integrated data acquisition and analysis system is required to make tests of stress-strain in laboratory soil samples Overall program/project objectives: To measure uniaxial stress, soil friability, soil penetration resistance, and penetrometer derived soil structural properties associated with research related to tillage and field traffic operations. Specific objectives of this requirement: Compression/tension testing at constant load and constant rate. Detailed measurement of penetration resistance using small (<5mm) cones. Controlled cyclical or custom consolidation of soil samples. Measurement of soil tensile strength. Loading Unit: General: The primary criteria for selection of the load frame will be low maintenance and reliability. The system may include reconditioned or refurbished components as long as they are identified as such and that they perform to the same specifications and enjoy the same warrantees and technical support as new equipment. Load Frame: A two column design capable of tension and compression forces of at least 10 kN and crosshead travel of 1000 mm. Crosshead Control: The crosshead shall provide a minimum speed of .001 mm/min to a maximum 500 mm/min. The crosshead position measurement accuracy shall be at least 0.02 mm. The crosshead speed accuracy shall be at least 0.1 % of set speed and position control resolution shall be at least 0.06 mm or better. Load Cells: Interchangeable tension/compression load cells shall be self-calibrating and have protections from overloading damage protection. Electronic Controls: General: The system shall include a test control panel for the basic testing functions. The setup of test methods, display of test information, reporting general operation shall be through a computer based graphical user interface. The monitoring system should provide real-time display of multiple numerical and analog channels including load, stress, strain, extension, time, cycle count, average strain, differential strain, and strain from extension. At least three independently scalable analog data displays are necessary and at least one channel should accommodate event triggering from 3rd party instrumentation. The system control software shall perform standard constant speed, constant load compression, tension, and cyclical testing. It shall allow user programming of non uniform cyclical testing sequences involving event triggering (e.g. constant load to set strain rate, timed relaxation, constant new load to set strain rate, relaxation, etc.... until constant total strain). Metric or SI units. Computer and software: The system shall be year 2000 compliant. Controller: The system must incorporate a digital controller that provides cyclic testing between extension, load, and strain points. The Testing Instrument shall provide automatic recognition and automatic calibration of transducers. Transducer Signal Conditioners: Separate A/D signal conditioners shall be provided for each data channel. Each transducer shall have automatic identification and calibration. The facility shall included self-test diagnostics with an external display for hardware and communication status and include built-in transducer over range protection. Safety: There shall be basic and accepted safety features to protect the operator and the equipment including emergency stop and overload protection functions. Installation, Training, Technical Support and Documentation: The supplier shall be responsible for the complete integration of all subsystems specified herein and shall provide basic operator training and technical support up to one year after installation of the load frame and electronics system. Full documentation for every portion of the test system to be provided by the supplier. Two sets of operating and reference manuals shall be provided as well as any pertinent assembly or installation drawings, site preparation instructions, and spare parts lists. A refurbished item(s) or new system is acceptable if it meets the terms and conditions of this solicitation and resulting contract. Unless visibly marked that the vendor is quoting an "equal" the offered items shall be considered the brand name product as referenced in this announcement. If offering an or equal product the brand name of the product furnished shall be clearly identified on the proposal. The evaluation of quotes and the determination as to equality of the product shall be the responsibility of the Government and shall be based on information provided by the vendors. The Government is not responsible for locating or securing any information which is not identified in the quotation and reasonable to the purchasing activity. To insure that sufficient information is available the vendor must furnish as part of their quote all descriptive material necessary for the purchasing activity to determine whether the products meet all salient characteristics of this requirement. The Government will award to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to this solicitation and will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers, The ability to meet the technical requirements, past performance, and price. Technically acceptable proposal must show that the offeror can meet the requirements of the Government. Items are to be quoted FOB destination and delivery shall be made to USDA-ARS-MWA-S&WMR, 439 Borlaug Hall Rm 458, 1991 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108-0000, within 45 days of award. Acceptance time will be 60 days from bid opening date. The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, 52.212-3 Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, 52.214-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, and 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions including clauses incorporated by reference under Section (b)(6): 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246), 52.222-35 Affirmative Action for Special Disabled and Vietnam Era Veterans (38 U.S.C. 4212), 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Handicapped Workers (29 U.S.C. 793), 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212), 52.225-3 Buy American Act-Supplies (41 U.S.C.10). Offerors shall submit a price for each item on company letterhead, past performance information to include a minimum of four references; contact name, company name, address, phone number and fax number, and include a completed copy of 52.212-3 to the Contracting Officer at the address indicated above by April 22, 1999 at 4:00 p.m. local time. Faxed quotes will be accepted at 309-681-6680. All responsible sources will be considered. Posted 03/31/99 (W-SN314829). (0090)

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