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

68 -- AGRICULTURAL (FARM) CHEMICALS SOL 02-3615-00 DUE 031000 POC Lisa M. Botella, (215) 233-6551, fax (215) 233-6558, Contracting Officer The USDA, Agricultural Research Service requires various farm chemicals to be furnished and delivered to the USDA, ARS facility in Kearneysville, West Virginia. These chemicals include herbicides, fungicides, and pesticides and will be used for soil preparation and conditioning. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the Format in Subpart 12.6 as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. Prices are being requested and a written solicitation is available upon request. CONTRACTORS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THE SOLICITATION AND/OR ANY FUTURE AMENDMENTS MUST REGISTER IN WRITING WITH THE CONTRACTING OFFICER. The Solicitation number 02-3615-00 is issued as a Request For Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-15. This procurement is unrestricted. The Contractors are required to provide pricing of chemicals in the following order: Item, Quantity, Unit of Issue, Unit Price and Amount. (01) Agri-Mek-4 gal.; (02) Asana-9 gal.; (03) Captan-390 lb.; (04) Casaron-200 lb.; (05) Dipel-25 lb.; (06) Dormant Oil-224 gal.; (07) Ferbam-600 lbs.; (08) Foambuster-120 pts.; (09) Fusilade DX-5 gals.; (10) Goal 2XL-22.5 gals.; (11) Gramoxone-55 gals.; (12) Hi-Dep-5 gals.; (13) Imidan-456 lbs.; (14) Indar-12 lbs.; (15) Karmex-60 lbs.; (16) Kerb 50W-75 lbs.; (17) Lannate-38 lbs.; (18) Liq. Lime Sulfur-15 gals.; (19) Lorsban 4E-30 gals.; (20) Lorsban 50W-8 lbs.; (21) M-Pede-27.5 gals.; (22) Nova (27.5 lbs.)-22 pk.; (23) Penncozeb-150 lbs.; (24) Procure-10 lbs.; (25) Provide-3 pts.; (26) Pyramite (15.13 lbs.)-11 bags; (27) Retain-1 pk.; (28) Ronilan-5 lbs.; (29) Roundup Ultra-37.5 lbs.; (30) Sevin-47.5 gals.; (31) Simazine 80-10 gals.; (32) Solicam-90 lbs.; (33) Sovran-2 lbs.; (34) Spintor-1 gal.; (35) Spreader Sticker-7.5 gals.; (36) Sulfur (2070 lbs.)-69 bags; (37) Surflan-22.5 gals.; (38) Tenn-cop-20 gals.; (39) Thiodan 3EC-17.5 gals.; (40) Thiram-210lbs.; (41) Topsin-M-35 lbs.; (42) Ultra Fine Spray Oil-40 gals.; (43) Vendex-1 lb.; (44) Ziram-480 lbs. NOTE: IF THE OFFEROR CANNOT FURNISH THE SPECIFIED QUANTITY LISTED PER LINE ITEM, PLEASE QUOTE TO THE NEXT HIGHEST POUND, GALLONS, ETC. IN ACCORDANCE WITH FAR CLAUSE 52.211-16. THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AWARD ON AN "ALL OR NONE" BASIS. 52.207-4 ECONOMIC PURCHASE QUANTITY -- SUPPLIES (AUG 1987) -- (a) Offerors are invited to state an opinion on whether the quantity(ies) of supplies on which bids, proposals or quotes are requested in this solicitation is (are) economically advantageous to the Government. (b) Each offeror who believes that acquisitions in different quantities would be more advantageous is invited to recommend an economic purchase quantity. If different quantities are recommended, a total and a unit price must be quoted for applicable items. An economic purchase quantity is that quantity at which a significant price break occurs. If there are significant price breaks at different quantity points, this information is desired as well. (c) The information requested in this provision is being solicited to avoid acquisitions in disadvantageous quantities and to assist the Government in developing a database for future acquisitions of these items. However, the Government reserves the right to amend or cancel the solicitation and resolicit with respect to any individual item in the event quotations received and the Government's requirements indicate that different quantities should be acquired. 52.217-6 OPTION FOR INCREASED QUANTITY -- The Government may increase the quantity of supplies called for in the Schedule at the unit price specified. The Contracting Officer may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor within six months from date of award. Delivery of the added items shall continue at the same rate as the like items called for under the contract, unless the parties otherwise agree. 52.211-16 VARIATION IN QUANTITY -- (a) A variation in the quantity of any item called for by this contract will not be accepted unless the variation has been caused by conditions of loading, shipping, or packing, or allowances in manufacturing processes, and then only to the extent, if any, specified in paragraph (b) of this clause. (b) The permissible variation shall be limited to: twenty (20) Percent increase or a twenty (20) Percent decrease. This increase or decrease shall apply to each quantity specified in the delivery schedule. DOCUMENTATION -- The Contractor shall provide one (1) copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) with each chemical at time of shipment. The purchase order number shall be included on all documentation and shipment. PACKING AND SHIPPING -- The Contractor shall pack each item for shipment in a new container in such a manner that will ensure acceptance by common carrier and safe delivery at the destination. Containers and closures shall comply with the Interstate Commerce Regulation, Uniform Freight Classification Rules, or regulation of other carriers as applicable to the mode of transportation. The Contractor is required to adhere to all OSHA, DOT, EPA, and other State and Federal Regulations as they pertain to these chemicals. The items to be furnished hereunder shall be labeled with the purchase order number and delivered, all transportation charges paid by the Contractor, and in accordance with the F.O.B. Destination, clause to: USDA, ARS, NAA, Appalachian Fruit Research Station, 45 Wiltshire Road, Kearneysville, WV 25430, Attn.: John Hendricks. DELIVERY -- 52.211-8 TIME OF DELIVERY. The Government requires delivery to be made not later than March 22, 2000, or within seven (7) days after the date of receipt of a purchase order or a written notice of award (whichever comes first). Delivery shall be made within the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays. The provision at 52-212-1, Instruction to Offerors -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following terms and conditions are added as an addendum to this provision: 1. Item (b) Submission of Offers is amended to include the following: Submit your quotation, acknowledgement of amendments (if any), 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. Item (c) Period for acceptance of offers is amended to include the following: The offeror agrees to hold the prices in its offer firm for 180 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers. The provision of FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following evaluation criteria are included in paragraph (a) of that provision. The Contracting Officer will make an award based on delivery schedule, past performance and price or price-related factors. ADDENDUM TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-2. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD-Any resulting order will be issued to the company offering the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered. Listed below are all the factors that will be considered. Delivery schedule, past performance and price or price-related factors. Past performance is equal to price or price-related. THE GOVERNMENT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AWARD ON AN "ALL OR NONE" BASIS. 1)DELIVERY SCHEDULE. The Government will evaluate equally, as regards time of delivery, offers that propose delivery of each quantity within the applicable delivery period specified above. Offers that propose delivery that will not clearly fall within the applicable required delivery period specified above, will be considered nonresponsive and rejected. The Government reserves the right to award under either the required delivery schedule or the proposed delivery schedule, when an offeror offers an earlier delivery schedule than required above. If the offeror proposes no other delivery schedule, the required delivery schedule above will apply. 2) PAST PERFORMANCE. Past performance history may be based on the Contracting Officer's knowledge of any previous history of thistype of work, customer surveys or any other verifiable information available to the Contracting Officer. The offeror's lack of performance history will not result in disqualification, but will result in a neutral past performance rating. A neutral score could be considered less favorable than a favorable past performance score. In order to be considered for a contract award, Contractors shall provide a list of three (3) contracts of a similar nature and complexity that the were awarded within the past five (5) years or that is/are currently in force. This information must be submitted with your offer. For each contract, list the following: 1. Name, address, and telephone number of the contracting organization, the Project Officer and Contracting Officer. 2. Contract number, type, and dollar value. 3. Date of contract and period of performance. 4. 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 includes all items, discount terms, and transportation costs. Offerors shall include a complete copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror/Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items, with its quotation. 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 this clause: 1. Item (a) Inspection and Acceptance is amended to include the following: AGAR 452.246-70 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (FEB 1988). 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. Inspection and acceptance will be performed at the delivery address (above). 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 shipment. 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. 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 (JUL 1995); 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (APR 1984); 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Vietnam Era Veterans (APR 1998); 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 1998); 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (APR 1998); 52.225-3, Buy American Act North American Free Trade Agreement-Israeli Trade Act-Balance of Payments Program (FEB 2000); 52.232-33, Mandatory Information for Electronic Funds Transfer Payment (AUG 1996); FAR Clause 52.212-5 is amended to include the following clauses by reference: 52.204-4, Printing/copying Double-sided on Recycled Paper (Jun 1996); 52.223-3, Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data Sheet (Jan 1997) (Alt 1)(Jul 1995); 52.223-5, Pollution Prevention and Right to Know Information (Apr 1998) 52.247-34, F.O.B. Destination (Nov 1991). The full text of these clauses may be accessed electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/. Responses are due on March 10, 2000 at 4:00 p.m. (local time) at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Contracting Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION RELATIVE TO EACH EVALUATION FACTOR SHALL RENDER YOUR OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE. Point of contact for this acquisition is Lisa Botella, Contracting Officer, (215) 233-6551, or fax (215) 233-6558. TELEGRAPHIC OR FACSIMILE QUOTATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. Posted 02/28/00 (W-SN429170). (0059)

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