USDA-ARS-FAA, Richard B. Russell Center, 950 College Station Road, Athens, GA 30605-2720

66 -- ROBOTIC SAMPLE PROCESSOR SOL RFQ-019-4384-99 DUE 052499 POC Elaine Wood, 706/546-3534 WEB: Click here to download a copy of 52.212-3, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/repcert.htm. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contracting officer by email, woode@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; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number RFQ-019-4384-99 is issued as a request for quotations and incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through FAC 97-09. FAR 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside is applicable to this acquisition. The standard industrial classification code is 3821. The small business size standard is 500 employees. Application of instrument: Robot is for use in setup of PCR and sequencing reactions and to rearray samples. Specifications: Must have eight independent pipetting tips to rapidly pipet gradients and sample specific quantities of template DNA from microtiter plates. Basic capabilities are: eight independent pipetting tips, independent liquid sensing on all eight probes, accurate pipetting of 0.5 mL liquid quantities, refrigerated surface to hold 9 microtiter plates at 4 degrees C, rapid liquid handling capabilities, so that 384 polymerase chain reactions can be setup in 20 minutes, capability to rapidly switch between reusable and disposable tips (need to be able to run 4 disposable and 4 reusable pipetting tips simultaneously), user friendly software to run robotic system, easy to translate Microsoft Excel protocol sheets to robotic work lists, rapid tip washing capability. Specific equipment to be included: 8 reusable pipetting tips, 4 disposable pipetting tips, 100 position microfuge tube rack, 384 disposable tips rack, 6 microtiter plate rack, 15 mL conical tube rack. Delivery is required within 8 weeks ARO. Delivery is FOB Destination to USDA, ARS, Raleigh NC. Descriptive literature showing the quoted item meets or exceeds all specifications included herein must accompany the quotation. The government anticipates award of a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsive/responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the solicitation and is most price advantageous to the government. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The contracting officer will make award based on price and price-related factors. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror/Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its proposal. Far 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5 are applicable to this acquisition: 52.203-6; 52.203-10, 52.219-8; 52.222-26; 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37; 52.225-3; 52.222-18; 52.225-21. The contractor shall extend to the Government the full coverage of any standard commercial warranty normally offered in a similar commercial sale, provided such warranty is available at no additional cost to the Government. Acceptance of the standard commercial warranty does not waive the Government's rights under the Inspection clause nor does it limit the Government's rights with regard to the other terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. The contractor shall provide a copy of its standard commercial warranty (if applicable) with its response. Responses are due 15 days from the date this notice is published in the CBD by 4:00 pm local time, May 24, 1999 at USDA Agricultural Research Service, 950 College Station Rd, Athens, GA 30605-2720 (or POB 5677, Athens, GA 30604-5677). POC Elaine Wood, Contract Specialist, 706/546-3534 or fax 706/546-3444. Posted 05/06/99 (W-SN328581). (0126)

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