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

66 -- DYNAMIC CONTACT AND SURFACE TENSION ANALYZER SOL 5114-9-3118 DUE 052499 POC Bob Miller, 309-681-6625 The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Midwest Area, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Biomaterials Processing Research Unit, Peoria, IL has the requirement for a First Ten Angstroms FTA200 (or equal) Dynamic Contact and Surface Tension Analyzer. 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; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation No. 5114-9-3118 is being issued as a Request for Quotation. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-11. The solicitation is 100% set-aside for small businesses. Standard Industrial Classification Code 3826 with a corresponding size standard of 500 employees applies to qualify as a small business. The instrument allows the measurement of contact angle, surface tension and interfacial tension at elevated temperature and pressure. The instrument comprises a basic DSA based goniometer designed to be fitted with various attachments to allow for measurements in non-ambient conditions. The instrument must be able to melt solids and generate drops in-situ using low cost disposable needles, allow measurements at up to 35C and 90PSI, be adaptable to reasonably priced attachments for measurement at up to 1000PSI and 250C. The major components shall include an Automated Goniometer comprising a CCD camera with 6:1 zoom microscope, X-Y-Z rack-and-pinion specimen holder, fiber optics drop detector, adjustable front/rear lighting, automatic forward/reverse syringe pump fluid delivery system, 50 l to 10ml syringes, low cost (<$2.00/piece) disposable needles, video acquisition board, mechanical system controller, contact angle, surface tension, surface energy and work of adhesion software, standards and accessories. The instrument shall also include a Pentium III 500 MHz computer with WIN 98 operating system, 512K cache, 128 MB SDRAM, 22 GB hard drive, 16 MB SDRAM video card, 40X CD ROM, 90pci modem, soundblaster soundcard, speakers, network card, 21" color monitor, 3.5" floppy drive, keyboard, mouse, Iomega Zip Drive, mini-tower case. Additional software shall include Office 97 with Free Office 2000 Upgrade, Encarta, McAfee VirusScan. The instrument must include an Environmental Chamber for measuring contact angle and surface tension at ambient pressure, variable atmosphere and up to 350C temperature. The Chamber must be capable of heating syringe needle to chamber temperature without the use of a separate syringe heater kit. An Interfacial Apparatus is needed for measuring liquid/liquid interfacial tension at ambient temperature and pressure, include holder for standard cuvettes and disposable cuvettes for hanging and rising drops. An Interfacial Tension Chamber is required for measuring contact angle, surface tension and interfacial tension atup to 150C and 90PSI. Must be capable of inverted bubble experiments. The Chamber must be capable of heating syringe needle to chamber temperature without the use of a separate syringe heater kit. All charges for crating and shipping must be itemized, as well as any factory discount. Interested offerors should submit a price for items identified above, Destination pricing. Delivery of the equipment shall be within 30 days after receipt of the purchase order, however, the time frame for delivery is negotiable. The equipment shall be delivered to: USDA-ARS-MWA, National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, 1815 N. University street, Peoria, IL 61604. Price will include everything identified above. FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial, FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, and FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. The clauses may be viewed at http://www.arnet.gov/far/ Quotations will be evaluated on price and past performance. Offerors must submit at least four references to include name, address, telephone number, and point of contact with their offer. Offerors must submit the completed FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items with their offer. Offers must include a commercial warranty for equipment (at least one year parts and labor). Offer must include a 30 calendar day acceptance period. Offers are to be received Not Later than the Close of Business, May 24, 1999 at USDA-ARS-MWA, Contracting Office, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604. Fax quotations are acceptable. FAX No. (309) 681-6680. The POC for this acquisition is Bob Miller, (309) 681-6625. Posted 05/06/99 (W-SN328621). (0126)

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