USDA, ARS, NAA, PIADC, PO Box 848, Greenport, New York 11944

66 -- CONFOCAL LASER MICROSCOPE SOL PIADC-0-006 DUE 071700 POC Lynda Biedermann, Contract Specialist (631) 323-3203; Dennis Foley, Contracting Officer (631) 323-3397 The USDA, Agricultural Research Service requires a Confocal Laser Microscope and all associated components be furnished and installed at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, Plum Island, NY. This includes all necessary hardware and software components,special tools, etc.,for a fully operational Confocal Laser Microscope. Facility Location: Plum Island is United States Government property located two (2) miles east of Orient Point, NY off the extreme northeastern tip of Long Island. This notice 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.This announcement constitutes the solicitation; prices are being requested and a written solicitation is available upon request by fax at (631) 323-3101, that contains all the same information as in this synopsis.The provisions and clauses in the RFP are those in effect through FAC 97-16.This procurement is unrestricted .Questions maybe submitted via mail to the address above or by fax (631) 323-3101and reference the particular section in the solicitation or specification of concern. All written questions received will be answered in writing and transmitted to all offer's via an amendment to the solicitation.This notice is being issued as a Request for Proposal for:One (1) Confocal Laser Microscope with the following properties:1) the light path from the sample to the detector shall be simple and direct, i.e. minimizing the number of mirrors, prisms and lens,2) shall accommodate at least three simultaneous fluorescent channels,3) shall be able to scan a full 512 X 512 image in 0.5 s or less, 4) shall have at least three (3) computer controlled fluorescence detectors and one (1) transmitted light detector,5) shall include an inverted research microscope stand with the highest available quality 100X and 63x oil immersion lenses,6) will be equipped with DIC accessories and standard quality 10x and 40x non-immersion objectives and be equipped for transmitted light bright field and incident light fluorescence using a mercury lamp and filter cubes compatible with FITC and TRITC fluorescent dyes 7) will have built-in detectors, scanning units and lasers 8) shall be capable of accepting three (3) simultaneously attached laser light sources: these are: argon (blue), helium-neon (red), and helium-neon (green), along with all needed filters and drivers 9) The detectors shall be equipped with a digitally controlled pinhole,10) shall provide non-confocal laser scanning transmitted and reflected light techniques under computer control, 11) shall have the ability to display three (3) channels at the same time in the monitor,12) shall have a motor-driven nose piece (100 nm focusing steps) with computer controls,13) The entire system shall be controlled by a Pentium III or equivalent computer system integrated into a multi-task workstation, complete with monitor(s) and be local area network-ready,14) a second, stand-alone workstation shall be delivered, complete with all software for image analysis,15) the image size shall be user selectable to a minimum of 1024 x 1024 pixels,16) shall have full digitally operated, motorized control of selection of excitation wave lengths, by means of necessary filters plus an acusto-optical tuning system (or equivalent) and selection of wavelengths for scanning by means of a prism monochromator (or equivalent),17) shall have digitally controlled and reproducible contrast and brightness settings,18) The system shall include X-Z scan up to a minimum of 512 lines,19) Images shall be displayed in High-Definition non-interlaced video format: image format shall be accessible to hard copy options,20) The system shall include capability of interpretive level, user-defined Macro routines within the standard software, 21) shall include 3-D reconstruction software, capable of producing 3-D image animation in two-color pairs,22) shall be supported on an anti-vibration (air-cushioned) table that isolates microscope body and detectors from vibrations,23) The laser lines from the three (3) lasers supplied with the microscope shall be aligned and corrected for precise overlay (+/- 1 pixel) with emission from visible lasers.SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: We are requesting offers as follows: 1) a price for outright purchase of the microscope; 2) a Lease with Option to Purchase price breakdown,with a payoff price during the lease term. DELIVERABLES: The system shall be delivered to the USDA, ARS, NAA, PIADC, Route 25, Orient Point, New York 11957, FOB: Destination within 90 days. Delivery shall be made within the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, excl. Federal holidays, and shall be scheduled with the COR named at the time of award. PACKING and SHIPPING: All items packed and shipped shall have the mailing label addressed as follows: USDA, ARS, NAA, PIADC, Route 25, Orient Point, NY 11957. INSTALLATION: The contractor shall be responsible for the movement of all equipment to installation site via Government marine transportation or hold the Government and it's agents harmless while providing such service. The Contractor shall install the microscope, complete with the air isolation table and one Pentium III or equivalent workstation within the bio-safety level 3 laboratory of the Plum Island Animal Disease Center. The contractor will install a second Pentium III or equivalent workstation in the Center's office building and connect it successfully to a local area network. The Contractor shall also perform verification testing and provide technical support. Installation shall be completed within 30 days after delivery to Plum Island and is to be coordinated with the COR (to be named at time of award). SET-UP and TRAINING: The Contractor shall be responsible for performing all start-up operations to ensure the system is fully functional for its intended purpose. The contractor will provide at least three full days of operator training in the laboratory at the Center within 15 days after completion of installation. DOCUMENTATION: Upon completion the contractor shall provide two (2) sets each of all equipment/software manuals for the confocal laser microscope. Final payment shall not be made until such documentation is received and accepted by the Contracting Officer. WARRANTEE: A standard commercial warranty shall be provided for the software and equipment. 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. The provision of FAR 52-212-1, Instruction to Offerors -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. ADDENDA TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-1.1) Item (b) Submission of Offers is amended to include the following: Submit your proposal, acknowledgment of amendments (if any), software licencing agreements (if any), descriptive literature for the proposed equipment and software, past performance information, and the Certifications at FAR 52.212-3 and 52.225-1, Buy American Certificate, to Lynda Biedermann, USDA, ARS, NAA, PIADC, P.O. Box 848, Greenport, New York 11944. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THIS INFORMATION MAY RENDER THE OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE. TELEGRAPHIC OR FACSIMILE OFFERS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.2) 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 90 calendar days from the date specified for receipt of offers. The provision at 52-212-1, Instruction to Offerors -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. 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. 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. Factors that will be considered are Technical capability, past performance and price. Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION RELATIVE TO EACH EVALUATION FACTOR MAY RENDER YOUR OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE.1) TECHNICAL CAPABILITY: Technical capability will be based on product literature, technical features and/or warranty provisions. Each offeror is required to submit licensing (if applicable), 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 and/or evaluation team's knowledge of any previous history of this type of equipment, 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. Contractors shall provide a list of five contracts of a similar equipment that were awarded within the past five years. 3) PRICE: Price includes all equipment, software, software licensing, training, warranty costs, discount terms, and transportation costs. The full text of these clauses may be accessed electronically at this address: http://www.arnet.gov/far/. Offerors shall include a complete copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror/Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items. FAR Clause 52.225-1, Buy American Act-Balance of Payments Program. if the end product(s) quoted is other than domestic end product(s) as defined in the clause entitled "Buy American Act Balance of Payments Program Supplies" the quoter shall so state and shall list the country of origin. 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. Includes AGAR 452.246-70 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (FEB 1988).Item (b) is amended to: Inspection and acceptance will be performed at destination location.2. Item (g) Invoice is amended to include the following: An Original and one copy of the invoice shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer, upon completion of delivery, installation and training.The Invoice shall be mailed to: USDA, ARS, NAA, PIADC, P.O. Box 848, Greenport, New York 11944, Attn: Lynda Biedermann, Contract Specialist. 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.4. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference:52.204-4, PRINTING/COPYING DOUBLE-SIDED ON RECYCLED PAPER (JUN 1996); FAR 52.211-6 BRAND NAME OR EQUAL (8/99); 52.207-5 OPTION TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT (2/95); 52.247-34, F.O.B. DESTINATION (NOV 1991); 52.214-34, SUBMISSION OF OFFERS IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE (APR 1991); 52.214-35, SUBMISSION OF OFFERS IN US CURRENCY (APR 1991); 52.224-1, PRIVACY ACT NOTIFICATION (APR 1984); 52.224-2, PRIVACY ACT (APR 1984); 52.224-70, CONFIDENTIALITY OF INFORMATION (FEB 1988); 52.227-19, COMMERCIAL COMPUTER SOFTWARE-RESTRICTED RIGHTS (JUN 1987); 452-228-71, INSURANCE COVERAGE (ALTERNATE I)(NOV 1996) (NOV 1996); 52.228-5, INSURANCE-WORK ON A GOVERNMENT INSTALLATION (JAN 1997); 52.232-18, AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS (APR 1984); 52.232-19, AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR (APR 1984); 452.237-75, RESTRICTIONS AGAINST DISCLOSURE (FEB 1988); 52.242-15, STOP WORK ORDER (AUG 1989); 52.242-17, GOVERNMENT DELAY OF WORK (APR 1984); 52.245-1, PROPERTY RECORDS (APR 1984); 52.245-4, GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY (SHORT FORM) (APR 1984); 52.245-19, GOVERNMENT PROPERTY FURNISHED "AS IS" (APR 1984). 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); 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (FEB 1999); 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 (JAN 1999); 52.225-3, Buy American Act Supplies (JAN 1994); 52.225-13 Restrictions on certain Foreign Purchases (FEB 2000); 52.225-21, Buy American Act North American Free Trade Agreement Implementation Act Balance of Payments Program (JAN 1997); 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Central Contractor Registration (May 1999); 52.239-1, Privacy or Security Safeguards (AUG 1996). Responses are due C.O.B. 7/17/00, at the USDA, ARS, NAA, PIADC, Contracting Office at Plum Island, New York. Posted 06/23/00 (W-SN467908). (0175)

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