USDA, ARS, North Atlantic Area, Contracting Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038

43 -- TWO-STAGE, LIQUID-RING VACUUM PUMP SOL 23-3615-99 DUE 072099 POC Lisa M. Botella, (215) 233-6551, fax (215) 233-6558, Contracting Officer The USDA, Agricultural Research Service requires a two-stage, liquid-ring vacuum pump to be furnished and delivered to its research facility located in Wyndmoor (Philadelphia), Pennsylvania. The pump shall be used for the purpose of general scientific research for use in Food Safety Surface Pasteurization. This vacuum system will be integral to a mobile prototype processing system that will be transported via a flatbed truck (non-CDL) to several commercial food processing facilities. Experiments at individual facilities will be extremely short-term in nature. Several facilities may be visited without the removal of the unit from the truck so the unit must be capable of operating either in the facility or on the back of the truck. The Government does not intend to disassemble the unit for transport (other than draining of the tanks) due to time constraints. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additionalinformation included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; prices are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The Solicitation number 23-3615-99 is issued as a Request For Quotation (RFQ) in accordance with FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisitions Procedures. The solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-11. SCHEDULE OF ITEMS AND SPECIFICATIONS. The two-stage, liquid-ring vacuum pump shall be new and include at a minimum: 1) A pump with full sealant recycle as one complete unit with a rated capacity of 150 cfm(s) with a suction pressure of 30 Torr based on dry air at 68F with seal water at 60F. Ultimate suction pressure at lower flow shall be at least 27 Torr. The two-stage, liquid-ring vacuum pump with a full sealant recycle must be capable of receiving up to 4.5 pounds per minute of water at 60F from the process without reduced capacity for non-condensibles. 2) The pump will be suitable for use with glycol -- water, methanol -- water, and water sealant solutions. 3) The recycle circuits shall be provided with a tube and shell heat exchanger allowing liquids such as methanol, or a glycol solution to be used as the pump sealant in lieu of water. The sealant will be cooled to temperatures as low as 13F allowing a higher ultimate vacuum. The recycle reservoir and circuit shall be sized to contain approximately 15 gallons of sealing liquid and shall be provided with npt connections for makeup liquid, venting, and overflow. The coolant to the heat exchanger will be glycol, methanol, or water solution at the Government's discretion. 4) The vacuum inlet and outlets shall be 2" IPS minimum. 5) All wetted components shall be stainless steel, compatible with cleaning compounds such as Oakite Chlor-tergent, Klenzade Ultra, Klenzade Oxonia Active, and Microquat. The cleaners listed are representative of typical cleaning agents utilized in the food processing industry. They are chlorinated detergents, mildly-basic, and compatible with stainless steel grades 304, 316, etc. 6) Shaft seals shall be internally flushed. 7) The two-stage pump shall be coupled to a properly sized electric motor. The motor shall be suitable for wash-down service in a food processing facility. 8) The unit shall be fully assembled and tested with all piping, wiring, and controls in place when it is delivered requiring only landing and connection to hotel services by Government personnel. 9) The complete vacuum system shall be mounted on a steel frame. The frame will include lifting eyes to allow the entire vacuum system to be moved as one unit. The frame must include provisions to allow it to be attached to a steel foundation that allows the entire mobile prototype processing field unit to be moved without disassembly. The area available for the vacuum system excluding the control panel is preferred to be no greater than 60" length x 28" width x 35" height. This area is restricted by a sheet metal cover that contains all of the support equipment (including the vacuum system) for the mobile prototype processing field unit to allow for a complete deluge washdown cleaning. This stainless steel cover (shroud) shall be fabricated and installed by the Government. Heights between 35 and 46 inches may be accommodated within the extreme dimensions of the mobile prototype processing field unit, however, it will impact the cost, complexity and general cleanability of the prototype system. For this reason, vacuum systems that do not exceed 35 inches in height shall be given first consideration. Due to the transportation method and the level of the existing processing line the overall dimensions of the entire mobile prototype processing field unit including the vacuum system are limited to 60" length x 28" width x 46" height and cannot be increased. 10) A singular control panel with all connections prewired to a single main disconnect and a terminal block shall be provided. It shall include all magnetic motor starters and run indicator lights. The control panel shall meet the requirements of NEMA 4. Available power is 208V, 3 phase, 60Hz. The controls shall be mounted in an accessible location. The control panel shall be supplied separately for Government installation after fabrication and installation of the shroud described in paragraph A.8.9. 11) The unit shall be designed to prevent operation in an unsafe condition. It shall meet all OSHA, NEMA and other relevant codes. 12) The unit shall include a standard commercial warranty. 13) The Government shall install the equipment and the control panel. SCHEDULE OF DELIVERABLES. Delivery shall be F.O.B. Destination, within Consignee's Premises at the USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, within ninety (90) calendar days after receipt of the purchase order. Delivery shall be made within the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays and shall be scheduled with the COR named at the time of award. The Contractor shall notify the Government at least one (1) week prior to delivery to coordinate the dates for installation with the COR (to be named at time of award). The unit must be delivered through a door having an opening of 10 feet wide and 11 feet-8 inches high. Inside the building, a 5-ton crane and a 2-ton fork lift truck are available for unloading. ERRC's loading dock is approximately 2-3 feet from ground to plate. The plate has approximately a 1 foot rise. ERRC has a freight elevator with a weight capacity of 8,000 pounds load limit. DOCUMENTATION. The Contractor shall provide one (1) set each of the Arrangement Drawings for installation of the system and the control panel; two (2) copies each of the operation, repair, maintenance manuals, lubrication and service instructions, operating instructions; and three (3) copies of all diagrams and schematics for this equipment. The arrangement drawings are to be submitted within 14 days after receipt of the contract award. The manuals and diagrams, etc., are to be submitted with the equipment at time of delivery. WARRANTY. Following installation, the Contractor shall provide technical support and warrant the unit in accordance with the standard commercial warranty period. A copy of the warranty shall be provided with the offer. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION SHALL RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. ADDITIONAL QUOTATION INFORMATION. Telegraphic or facsimile offers are NOT acceptable. DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE. The company is REQUIRED to submit descriptive literature on the products being offered. Offerors must identify the brand and type of equipment being offered by BRAND and MAKE/MODEL. Descriptive literature must be submitted with the offer even if it has been submitted previously. This literature MUST address all aspects outlined in the specifications. If an area is not addressed in the literature, the company must submit a written substantive statement describing such area. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE SHALL RESULT IN REJECTION OF YOUR OFFER. PACKING AND SHIPPING. The articles to be furnished hereunder shall be delivered, all transportation charges paid by the Contractor, and in accordance with the F.O.B. Destination, within Consignee's Premises clause to USDA, ARS, NAA, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. CONTRACT CLAUSES. The provision at 52-212-1, Instruction to Offerors -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Addenda to Clause 52.212-1: Item (b) Submission of Offers is amended to include the following: Submit your quotation, acknowledgement of amendments (if any), descriptive literature, product literature, warranty information, past performance information, and the Certifications at FAR 52.212-3 to Lisa M. Botella, USDA, ARS, North Atlantic Area, Contracting Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. Companies are REQUIRED to submit descriptive literature on the product being offered. Offerors must identify the brand and type of equipment being offered by BRAND and MAKE/MODEL. Descriptive literature must be submitted with the offer even if it has been submitted previously. This literature MUST address all aspects outlined in the specifications. If an area is not addressed in the literature, companies must submit a written substantive statement describing such area. Failure to submit descriptive literature shall render the offer nonresponsive. FAR Provision 52-212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition with the following evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a): (i) technical capability, (ii) past performance, and (iii) price. Importance of the specific evaluation criteria is in descending order and will be based on information submitted in response to this RFQ. It is recommended that information be included that demonstrates that the item offered meets all of the solicitation requirements. ADDENDA TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-2. The Contracting Officer shall award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, technical capability, past performance, and price factors considered. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION RELATIVE TO EACH EVALUATION FACTOR SHALL RENDER YOUR OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE. 1) TECHNICAL CAPABILITY OF THE FIRM. Technical capability will be based on product literature, technical features and warranty provisions. Each Offeror is required to submit warranty information, descriptive literature or other documentation, manufacturer or brand name and model of the item, and show how the offered product meets or exceeds the requirements as specified in the Specifications. 2) PAST PERFORMANCE. Past performance history may be based on the Contracting Officer's knowledge of any previous history of sterilizer purchases, customer surveys or any other verifiable information available to the Contracting Officer. In order to be considered for a contract award, Contractors shall provide a list of five (5) contracts of a similar nature and complexity that were awarded within the past five (5) years or that is/are currently in force. This information must be submitted with your quotation. For each contract, list the following: 1. Name, address, and telephone number of the contracting organization, the Government's Project Officer and Contracting Officer. 2. Contract number, type, and dollar value. 3. Date of contract and period of performance. 4. Average number of technical personnel (by labor skill) involved. 5. Percentage turnover of contract technical personnel per year. 6. List any contract(s) terminated for convenience or default (partial or complete) within the past three (3) years. Include the contract number, name, address, and telephone number of the terminating officer. 3) PRICE. Price shall be based on the overall cost of the unit including shipping, installation, and any options. Offerors shall include a complete copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror/Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its offer. These provisions and clauses can be located at the Internet site http://www.ARNet.gov/far. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following terms and conditions are added as an addendum to FAR 52.212-4: 1. Item (a) Inspection and Acceptance is amended to include the following: AGAR 452.246-70 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE. a) The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer's duly authorized representative will inspect and accept the supplies and/or services to be provided under this contract. (b) Inspection and Acceptance will be performed at: USDA, ARS, North Atlantic Area, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. 2. Item (g) Invoice is amended to include the following: The invoice shall be submitted in an original and one copy after delivery and acceptance of the equipment and all documentation. The Invoice shall be mailed to: USDA, ARS, North Atlantic Area, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, Attn.: Lisa M. Botella. 3. Item (o) Warranty is amended to include the following: 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 conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. The Contractor is required to submit a copy of all warranty information with its offer. 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 conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. 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 for supplies: 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Vietnam Era Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era; 52.225-3, Buy American Act Supplies; 52.232-33, Mandatory Information for Electronic Funds Transfer Payment (AUG 1996); 52.247-64,Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flag Commercial Vessels (JUN 1997); FAR Clause 52.212-5 is amended to include the following clauses by reference: 52.243-1, Changes Fixed Price (AUG 1987); 52.214-34, Submission of Offers in English Language; 52.214-35, Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency; 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside; 52.247-35, F.O.B. Destination, within Consignee's Premises. In accordance with FAR Part 19.5, this procurement is 100% set-aside for small business. The SIC code is 3561, the NAICS No. is 333911, with a business size of 500 employees. Responses are due on July 20, 1999 by 4:30 p.m. local time, at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Contracting Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. TELEGRAPHIC OR FACSIMILE OFFERS SHALL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The point of contact for this acquisition is Lisa Botella, Contracting Officer, (215) 233-6551, or fax (215) 233-6558. Posted 07/01/99 (W-SN349531). (0182)

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