(i) This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services and supplies prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 12.6, and supplemental information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. (ii) The reference number for this effort is APVSNVXX-0290-4 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). (iii) The provisions and clauses incorporated into this solicitation document are those in effect at the time of publication. Provisions and clauses incorporated by reference have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. The full text of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) can be accessed on the Internet at http://farsite.hill.af.mil/ (iv) Any and all interested parties may respond to this solicitation. The associated NAICS code is 424920. (v) This requirement consists of 1 line item (0001 Subscription Services for one calendar year from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 for the attached list of journals to be sent to the National Animal Disease Center, USDA, ARS, Library, PO Box 70, Ames, IA 50010.). (vi) Work to be completed under this purchase order will consist of the following: The contractor shall renew all subscriptions for the calendar year January through December 2005. (vii) Deliverables and acceptance of deliverables will be FOB destination, Ames, IA. The estimated completion date for this requirement is December 31, 2005. (viii) The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial, applies to this solicitation. (ix) The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation. The following text is added to Paragraph (a) of FAR 52.212-2: (Low Price Technically Acceptable). This acquisition will be conducted using the Test Program for Certain Commercial Items under FAR 13.5. A competitive award will be made to the responsible firm with the lowest priced technically acceptable quote. Each quote at a minimum must meet the technical specifications to be technically acceptable. Technical acceptability is pass-fail. In order to be considered technically acceptable firms must provide information evidencing that they understand the requirement and have sufficient experience and knowledge to perform the service in a timely manner. Additional guidance on price is provided under provision 52.212-1 section (g). (x) The provision at 52.212-3 Alt. I, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, applies to this solicitation. The contractor shall return a completed copy of this provision with its quotation. A copy of the provision may be attained from http://www.arnet.gov/far. (xi) The clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. (xii) The clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses identified at paragraph b of FAR 52.212-5 are considered checked and are applicable to this acquisition. 52.203-6 Alt. I, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government; 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting; 52.222.21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; and 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Central Contractor Registration. The following FAR clauses identified at paragraph c of FAR 52.212-5 are considered checked and are applicable to this acquisition. 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, As Amended; Fair Labor Standards Act and Service Contract Act Price Adjustment. (xiii) Central Contractor Registration is required. To be awarded this contract, the offeror must be registered in the CCR. CCR information may be found at http://www.ccr.gov. The following clause identified at paragraph b of the clause is considered checked and is applicable to this acquisition. 52.203-3, Gratuities. The following clauses are also applicable to this acquisition: 52.204-4, Printed or Copied Double-Sided on Recycled Paper; (xiv) Quotations are due to the USDA, APHIS, MRPBS,ASD, Butler Square North, 5th Floor, 100 North 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55403 by 2:00 PM CST, September 24, 2004. Faxed or emailed quotes are acceptable. (xvii) The Contracting Officer is Larry Nelson. He may be reached at
[email protected], (612)336-3225 or by fax, (612)370-2106. Requests for the exact list of professional journals needed should be made to Larry Nelson.