USDA, ARS, Southern Plains Area, 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suit 230, College Station, Texas, 77840

66 -- HYPERSPECTRAL REMOTE SENSING INSTRUMENT SOL 010227 DUE 080999 POC Carol Nichols, Phone: (405)262-5291; Fax: (405) 262-0133 E-MAIL: Click here to contact via email, cnichols@grl.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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 010227 and is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-09. This solicitation is a small business set-aside; the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code is 3826 and small business size standard is 500. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service requests quotations for a portable instrument that senses and measures spectral reflectance of energy from the ground surface, to be used at a height of 1 to 3 meters. It must be suitable for use in the field. The instrument is hyperspectral and measures reflectance in the spectral range of 350 to 2,500 nm. The sampling interval (distance between array diodes) should be 3 nm or less across the full range of 350 to 2,500 nm. The instrument should have a very low Noise Equivalent Delta Radiance (NeDL) across the 350 to 2,500 nm range and a scan time 100 milliseconds or less for the complete 350 to 2,500 nm spectrum. Spectral resolution (sometimes referred to as full-width-half maximum or bandwidth) should be 3 nm or smaller in the 350 to 1,000 nm range and 10 nm or smaller in the 1,000 to 2,500 nm range. The instrument should be equipped with a high-speed parallel interface to allow averaging of continuous sequences of spectra. An optical arrangement and field of view that minimizes movements on the ground that are placed in the instruments shadow. An InGaAs detector is preferred in the 1,000 to 2,500 nm range. The instrument shall be delivered to the Grazinglands Research Laboratory, 7207 West Cheyenne Street, El Reno, Oklahoma 73036. The Government "desires" delivery within 90 days or less after receipt ofthe purchase order by the successful offeror; however, each offeror shall include its proposed delivery schedule as part of its quotation. Acceptance and FOB point are destination. In order to be considered for award, offerors shall provide a quotation on company letterhead detailing the unit pricing; descriptive literature and brochures shall also be provided for the product quoted. The Government is conducting this procurement using a trade-off approach, where technical capability of the product to perform the desired function and price will both be evaluated in making the award. For this solicitation, price and technical performance are approximately equal factors, and the Government expressly reserves the right to award to other than the lowest priced offer. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1 "Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial", 52.212-2 "Evaluation -- Commercial Items". Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provisions at 52.212-3 "Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items" with this offer; a copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting officer or at http://www.arnet.gov/far. 52.212-4 "Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items", 52.212-5 "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items". Furnish quotations to Carol Nichols, USDA-ARS, Grazinglands Research Laboratory, 7207 West Cheyenne Street, El Reno, Oklahoma 73036, no later than close of business August 9, 1999. Quotations may be provided by facsimile to (405) 262-0133 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting Carol Nichols at (405) 262-5291x223 or email cnichols@grl.ars.usda.gov. Posted 07/08/99 (W-SN351950). (0189)

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