USDA, ARS, FMOD, BA, Contracting Section, Bldg. 003, Rm. 329, 10300 Baltimore Ave., Beltsville, Maryland 20705-2350

66 -- WAVE DNA FRAGMENT ANALYSIS SYSTEM SOL RFQ-AB-017 DUE 092499 POC Angie Bianco, (301) 504-5864; Fax (301) 504-5405 This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items identified below, prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. The announcement constitutes the only solicitation; offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number RFQ-AB-017, is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ), and incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-12. This procurement is unrestricted. The standard industrial classification code is 3821, with a small business standard of 500 employees. The Government intends to negotiate non-competitively with Transgeneomic, Inc., 3032 Concourse Drive, San Jose, CA 95131, under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) when there is reasonable basis to conclude that the agency's minimum needs can only be satisfied by only one responsible source and no other supplies will satisfy agency requirement. The WAVE DNA Fragment Analysis System and Fragment Collector are sole source because of it's unique capability to meet the Government's need. The MINIMUM REQUIREMENT for DNA fragment analysis system is as follows: 1) A polymer based DNA separation column with an analysis capability of a minimum of 4000 injections for the detection of sequence variation in double-stranded DNA, fragment sizing of double stranded DNA, and separation of oligonucleotides based upon base composition and/or length. 2) A true integrated system in that it is complete with a liquid chromatography apparatus, autosampler, oven (with a range of 35 to 80 degree C and precision of 0.1 degree C) chromatography column and software. Software must provide complete system control via computer including gradient analysis conditions and must be capable of providing DNA melt temperature predictions based upon the analysis of DNA sequence supplied by the operator. The software must also provide displays of real-time traces of all system detectors and include post analysis manipulation of data. 3) An autosampler formatted for 96 -well microtiter plates that will accommodate MJ Research PCR plates (compatible MJ Research Tetratrad PCR machine). The autosampler must allow injection columns of between 1 and 100 ul and requires Peltier cooling from 4 to 60 degree C. 4) A fraction collector with Peltier cooling to collect DNA samples for subsequent DNA sequence analysis. The cooling is required to preserve sample integrity. The fraction collector must accommodate two 96 -well microtiter plates thereby allowing the unattended collection of 192 samples. Fragment collector software integrates itself with the chromoagraphy and DNA analysis software. 5) 90% or better of single nucleotide changes must be detected in 500 bp PCR products amplified from a heterozygous plant genomic DNA sample. Line item 1, WAVE DNA Fragment Analysis System, 1 each; line item 2, Transgenomic Fragment Collector, 1 each. On-site training is included in the previous line items. Year 2000 Warranty -- Information Technology Products; The contractor warrants that hardware, software, and firmware product delivered or developed under this contract, will be able to accurately process date data (including, but not limited to, calculating, comparing, and sequencing) from, into, and between the 20th- and 21st-centuries, including leap year calculations, when used in accordance with the product documentation provided by the contractor, provided that all listed or unlisted items (e.g., hardware, software, firmware) used in combination with such listed products properly exchange date data with it. If the contract requires that specific listed products must perform as a system in accordance with the foregoing warranty, then that warranty will apply to those listed products as a system. The duration of this warranty and the remedies available to the Government for breach of this warranty will be as defined in, and subject to, the terms and limitations of the contractor's standard commercial warranty or any general warranty provisions of this contract, provided that notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in such commercial warranty or general warranty provision(s), or in the absence of any such warranty provision(s), the remedies available to the Government under this warranty will include repair or replacement of any listed product whose noncompliance is discovered and made known to the contractor in writing within ninety (90) days after acceptance. Nothing in this warranty will be construed to limit any rights or remedies the Government may otherwise have under this contract with respect to defects other than Year 2000 performance. The delivery is FOB destination (including inside delivery) to Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Beltsville, Maryland. Delivery is expected 60 days after award. Any interested/qualified source who believes they can provide the required equipment must respond by 4:30 p.m. September 24, 1999. Fax quotes are acceptable. All responses WILL be evaluated in order to determine the ability to meet the above stated capabilities. Responses shall include technical specifications, literature, brochures and other such information corresponding to each minimum required items which demonstrates the capabilities of the offeror's equipment. Offerors shall identify where the offered item meets or does not meet each of the Government's functional and performance minimum specifications listed herein. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsive/responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government. The following FAR clauses and provisions apply: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation-Award to a technically acceptable offeror, at a fair and reasonable price. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: Technical capability, past performance and price. Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are approximately equal to cost or price; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items. FAR 52-212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items. The following FAR clauses in paragraph (b) of FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues of Executive Orders-Commercial Items, will apply to the resultant contract: 52.222-26, 52.222-35, 52.222-36, 52.222-37, 52.225-3, 52-232-18, 52.232-34 . Addendum to include 52.247-34 and 52.222-70 COMPLIANCE WITH VETERANS EMPLOYMENT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS (JAN 1999) (DEVIATION)(USDA). (a) The offeror represents that, if it is subject to the reporting requirements of 38 U.S.C. 4212(d) (i.e., the VETS-100 report required by FAR clause 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of theVietnam Era), it has [ ], has not [ ], submitted the most recent report required by 38 U.S.C. 4212(d). (b) An offeror who checks "has not" may not be awarded a contract until the required report is filed. Contract Award is Subject to Availability of Funds. All offerors must include a completed copy of FAR 52.212-3 and 52.222-70 with their response. Estimated award date is September 29, 1999. Posted 09/11/99 (W-SN379196). (0254)

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