USDA, Forest Service, Lolo National Forest, Attn: Contracting, Building 24, Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT 59804

55 -- FUEL MOISTURE STICKS SOL R1-16-99-900Q DUE 061599 POC Contact Point, Audrey Boller, 406/329-3764, Contracting Officer, Connie L. Bohannan, 406/329-3768 WEB: USDA, Forest Service, Lolo National Forest, Contracting, http://www.fs.fed.us/r1_lolo. E-MAIL: USDA, Forest Service, Lolo National Forest, Contracting, aboller/r1_lolo@fs.fed.us. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 and FAR 13, 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 R1-16-99-900Q and is issued as a Request for Quotation. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-11. This procurement is 100 percent set aside for small business, the standard industrial classification code (SIC) is 2499. The small business size standard is 500 persons. Description of Requirements -- This procurement is for fuel moisture sticks for use in determining forest fire control ratings for the US Forest Service at the Northern Region, 200 East Broadway, Missoula, MT under a requirements type contract with an option to extend the contract term for two renewal periods. The contract period will be June 21, 1999 through June 22, 2000. Line items requiring pricing are: Item 1 -- Fuel Moisture Sticks, packed 100 sets to a box, FOB destination for base year; Item 2 -- for option year 1 and Item 3 for option year 2. Estimated quantities are 3,000 sets per year delivered on an as ordered monthly basis. Evaluation of Options (FAR 52.217-5) applies. Offers should submit pricing for all three years for each item along with a description of sets furnished, experience and quality control in this type of work and names of references for past performance history. The following technical specifications apply: The fuel moisture stick consists of four 1/2 inch sound ponderosa pine sapwood dowels spaced one-fourth inch apart on two 3/16 inch-diameter hardwood pins. The dowels are held in place on the pins by wire brads or staples at each intersection. The resulting stick is 2 3/4 inches wide, 18 1/2 to 22 inches long, and has oven-dry weight of 100 grams. A screw hook is inserted in the end of one of the dowels, and the notation, "This end NORTH, this side up" is stamped on the dowel surface just below the screw hook. A. Materials. 1. Dowels. Sound ponderosa pine sapwood lumber, kiln dried to a uniform moisture content of 15% or less; smooth and accurately cut to a uniform diameter of 1/2 inch, tolerance, of +/- 1/64 inch and free of the following defects: heartwood, knots, pitch, splits, stain, decay, contaminations, cross or diagonal grain having a slope in excess of 1/2 inch per foot, sweep in two planes, etc. 2. Hardwood Connecting Dowels. Birch or maple, 3/16 inch diameter by 2 3/8 inch length, well seasoned by either air or kiln drying methods to a uniform moisture content of 15% or less and clear and free of similar defects listed above. 3. Brass Screw Hook. Wire diameter approximately 0.072 inches; overall length approx. 7/8 inch; hook inside diameter approx. 1/4. 4. Wire Brads or Staples. 3/8 to 1/2 inch long to be driven flush with or beneath the surface. B. Assemble four dowels to give at least the oven-dry weight of 100 grams, considering weights of connecting dowels, hook and brads. Dry sets for 20 hours or more until weight loss of less than 0.1 gram occurs. C. Trim and Condition sets so that no set varies from group mean by more than 0.5 gram. D. Quality control shall consist of workmanship, material quality and weight. E. Packaging. Completed sets shall be sealed in clear plastic envelopes, properly labeled and packed 100 per carton, in durable (not fiber) cartons that meet normal mailing requirements. The FAR provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items (Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions) applies to this acquisition. Offers should be submitted on letterhead stationery and include the minimum information required under this provision. Offerors may request copies of the full text of referenced clauses at the contact point shown above. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, is not applicable. However, quotations received will be subject to the Simplified Acquisition Procedures, Part 13 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations, and may be evaluated using price and other factors, such as successful past performance, technical experience and ability to meet the Government's needs, and price. The Government's quality assurance inspections determine compliance with specifications and provide the basis for payment for accepted items under this contract. If more than 5% of the sample sets do not pass inspection, the entire shipment shall be returned to the Contractor at the Contractor's expense. Submit a completed copy of the provisions at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items, with your offer. The FAR clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Addendum to FAR clause 52.212-4 follows: (FAR 52.216-21) Requirements, (FAR 52.216-18) Ordering, (FAR 52.216-19) Order Limitations, (FAR 52.217-9) Option to Renew, and (FAR 52.236-7) Permits and Responsibilities.The FAR clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (Deviation for Simplified Acquisitions), applies to this acquisition. Specifically, the following FAR clauses cited are applicable to this solicitation: (FAR 52.222-26) Equal Opportunity, (FAR 52.222-35) Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era, (FAR 52.222-36) Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, (FAR 52.222-37) Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era, (FAR 52.222-70) Compliance with Veterans Employment Reporting Requirements (Deviation) (USDA), and (FAR 52.232-34) Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Other than Central Contractor Registration. Quotes are due at the Lolo National Forest, Building 24, Fort Missoula, Missoula, MT 59804 by 4:30 p.m. on June 15, 1999. Posted 05/21/99 (W-SN334240). (0141)

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