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

37 -- PLOT CORN PLANTER SOL RFQ-031-4384-99 DUE 082599 POC Elaine Wood, 706/546-3534 WEB: Click here to download a copy of 52.212-3, www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/repcert/html. 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-031-4384-99 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 5083. The small business size standard is 500 employees. Specifications: One 4-row plot corn planter for planting yield-trial and nursery plots for the USDA-ARS Corn Breeding Program in Raleigh, NC. Even spacing of seeds and accurate delivery of seeds to correct plots are essential to obtain optimal yield trial results. Rapid planting speed is important to maximize efficiency of field breeding program. Detailed requirements: 1. Planter must plant corn seeds in 4-row plots at a depth of 0.5 to 3.0 inches with plot lengths of 12 feet and inter-plot (alley) spacings of 4 feet. 2. Row spacing must be adjustable and include row-spacings of both 36" apart and 38" apart. 3. Ability to plant from 15 to 35 seeds per row. 4. Planter must have a 3-point hitch and weight less than 4,500 pounds gross weight. 5. Width of planter must not exceed 8 feet and height of planter must not exceed 64 inches. 6. Planter must have an electronic monitor to record the number of seeds planted in each plot and to signal planting errors. 7. Planter must have seating for two people. Planting must be possible with two operators, with separate seeding funnels for each row. 8. Vacuum pumps required by planter must be mounted on planter itself. Delivery is required within 16 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, and FAR 52.222-70, Compliance with Veterans Employment Reporting Requirements 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 4:00 pm local time, August 25, 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 08/09/99 (W-SN365117). (0221)

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