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

66 -- LEICA DM INVERTED RESEARCH BIOLOGICAL ELECTRONIC (IRBE) MICROSCOPE OR EQUAL SOL 5114-9-3114 DUE 051399 POC Lorna Flansburg 309-681-6615 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, flansbul@mwa.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 5114-9-3114. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular number 97-10. SIC code is 3827 and the size standard is 500 employees. Contractor to provide the following items: Item 1) Leica DM Inverted Research Biological Electronic (IRBE) microscope or equal compatible with the Leica confocal scanner system. The instrument is to be provided with five lenses: 1.6x/0.05 dry, 10x/0.30 dry, 20x/0.70 dry, 40x/1.25-0.75 oil and 63x/1.20 water lenses. The instrument is to be equipped with DIC (differential interference contrast) optics for use with the 40xand 63x lenses. Other specifications include: optical and mechanical compatibility with the Leica TCS SP Confocal Scanner System, Harmonic Component System Optics (HCS), compatibility with the Leica galvanometer-driven Z-stage, and electronic remote control for nosepiece focusing. Training: There should be two training sessions for the microscope. One should occur at installation, and the second will be arranged some months after installation. Both training sessions must be coordinated with training for the confocal scanner system to be purchased by the University . Telephone and email consultation with technical representatives should be available at no extra cost. User and help manuals should be made available in electronic format (on line, on disc, and/or on CD ROM). The supplier is to install the equipment and ensure that it is working properly. There should be a one year warranty for non-disposable parts and labor. 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, Corn and Soybean Research, Department of Plant Pathology, OARDC, 1680 Madison Avenue, Wooster Ohio, 44691 within 45 days of award. Acceptance time will be 60 days from the date quotations are due. 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 Reportson 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 May 13, 1999 at 4:00 p.m. local time. Faxed quotes will be accepted at 309-681-6680. All responsible sources will be considered. Posted 04/21/99 (W-SN322919). (0111)

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