This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for a commercial item prepared in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This procurement is being conducted under procedures pursuant to the authority of FAR part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items (Title VIII of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-355). This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; Quotations are being requested (RFQ's) and a written solicitation will not be issued. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), Research Services (RS) intends to award a firm-fixed price purchase order for a commercial product; Soybean Meal (High Protein). The solicitation is issued as a 100% small business set-aside. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions & clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-60 effective August 27, 2012. The applicable North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) is 424910 with a size standard of 22.7 million. Interested offerors please complete the attached price schedule utilizing your most competitive and reasonable rates. ARS will evaluate quotations and award on lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA). PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: One Year from Date of Award. CONTRACTING OFFICER AUTHORITY: Authority to negotiate changes in the terms, conditions or amounts cited is reserved for the Contracting Officer. INVOICE PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION: Based upon acceptance of required contract services, the contractor shall submit an original invoice and one copy to the following address: USDA, ARS, Eastern Business Service Center (EBSC) Acquisition & Property Branch ATTN: Procurement Technician 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, MS Code 5124 Beltsville, Maryland 20705-5124 The Contractor shall include the following information on each invoice. (1) Name and address of Contractor. (2) Invoice number and invoice date. (3) Contract/Purchase Order Number. (4) Description of work and period of performance. (5) Name, title, phone number, and complete mailing address of official to whom payment is to be sent. (6) Name, title, phone number, and complete mailing address of person to notify in the event of a defective invoice. (7) Taxpaper Identification Number (TIN) and DUNS Number. The following Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) and Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) provisions are applicable to this procurement; FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors- Commercial Items (FEB 2012) Quotes shall be submitted on company letterhead/stationery. Signed and dated. And shall include: 1. Solicitation number 2. Closing Date 3. Name, address and telephone number of company and email address of contract person. 4. Technical description of item/service being offered in sufficient detail to evaluate compliance with the requirements of the solicitation. This may include product literature, or other documents, if necessary. 5. Terms of any express warranty. 6. Price and any discount terms. 7. "Remit" to address, if different from mailing address. 8. A completed copy of the representations and certifications that the offeror shall complete electronically). 9. Acknowledgment of solicitation Amendments (if issued) 10. Past performance information, when included as a "best value" factor, to include recent and relevant contracts for the same or similar items and other references (including contract numbers, points of contact with telephone numbers and other relevant information). FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (JAN 1999) The provision at 52.312-2 applies to this procurement and is provided in full text. (a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and the following "lowest price technically acceptable" factors considered. (1) Past Performance - The Government reserves the right to conduct their own investigation other than the contractor's provided list. (2) Ability to meet the requirements and qualifications in the performance work statement (PWS). (b) Options; The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (APR 2012) - See Attachment 2 for full text and instructions. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items (FEB 2012) - Incorporated by reference. See Attachment 3. FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (JUL 2012) - See Attachment 4 for full text. ACCEPTANCE PERIOD: All quotations must stipulate that it is predicated upon all terms and conditions as stated in this combined synopsis/solicitation. Quotes must contain a statement to the effect that it is firm for a period of at least 60 days from the date of receipt by the Government. **SUBMISSION OF QUOTATION: USDA, ARS, EBSC, APB Attn: Rene D. Edwards, Contract Specialist 5601 Sunnyside Ave. Mail Stop 5124 Beltsville, MD 20705-5124 OR Via email:
[email protected] Contractor's intending to conduct business with the Federal Government must register with the System for Award Management (SAM) prior to award. SAM is the primary Government repository, which retains information on Government contractors. You may register via the Internet at http://www.sam.gov or by calling (866)606 -8220 between the hours of 8am and 8pm (Eastern Time).