The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Plant & Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) Philadelphia, PA has a requirement for a contractor to DESIGN and DELIVERY of two (2), three-day workshops on Microscopic and Macroscopic Imaging with Digital Cameras. Targeted delivery: August 12th – 24th, 2007. Location: To be determined by USDA/APHIS. FOCUS: Practical, hands-on workshops with an emphasis on participants producing a fact sheet or slide presentation containing multiple images, using the principles learned in the workshop. Topics should include, but may not be limited to: FROM OPERATION OF THE CAMERAS ONWARD: (1) DS-fi1/L-2 photography; (a) scales; (b) settings to optimize capturing specific characters of specimens; (c) determining size and quality settings appropriate to subject/use; (d) white balance; (e) shooting stacks for Helicon Focus Proc; (f) troubleshooting and maintaining the camera. (2) Handheld Photography: (a) diffusing in-camera flash; (b) lighting subjects; (c) settings to change to take control of the image capture process; (d) white balance; (e) photographing macro subjects; (f) general photography principles. (3) Manipulating images for presentation, electronic transmittal and print in Photoshop Elements: (a) layers; (b) text and markers; (c) levels; (d) sharpen; (e) save on web. (4) Placing images into Microsoft Word and PowerPoint: (a) sizing images; (b) placing/layout options; (c) resolution; (d) global adjustments (e.g. compress images); (e) creating a template. (5) What Adobe Acrobat can do for images and documents: (a) securing documents; (b) placing watermark; (c) distilling documents; (d) organizing documents; (e) combining PDF and image files into binders; (f) doing text edits and text additions directly in PDF; (g) saving Power Point with multimedia files as PDF; (h) adding navigational aids (bookmarks, buttons). PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-five – thirty participants in each of the two sessions will be novice through intermediate knowledge level users of the specific equipment listed below. The participants capture images of biological specimens in daily tasks, many of which are extremely time sensitive. They are also tasked with producing image-based informational materials such as reports, fact sheets, and slide presentations. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: USDA-APHIS-PPQ Identifiers who participate in this workshop should gain increased fluency in capturing, measuring and enhancing images using the Nikon DS-fi1 camera and L-2 Control Unit. They should become comfortable with camera setting terminology, performing common tasks with the camera and control unit, such as calibrating and placing scales, adjusting camera exposure and gain, and using the histograms to obtain predictable images and preserve data in their images. Microscope techniques will not be the primary subject of this workshop, and will be addressed tangentially, if at all. Identifiers should also leave the workshop with increased fluency in: (a) applying general photographic principles to image capture with point and shoot handheld cameras (i.e., Nikon 4800, Canon A640); (b) performing common editing and optimization tasks in Adobe Photoshop Elements; (c) preparing and placing images in presentation programs such as Microsoft Word and Power Point; (d) using Adobe Acrobat effectively to finish, compress and secure documents. At the end of the three-day workshop, each identifier will complete a fact sheet or slide presentation. The goal of this workshop is to provide intensive hands-on practice in the use of the Digital Sight camera and processes that occur after image capture.EQUIPMENT: Contractor must be thoroughly familiar with and have experience training novice and intermediate professional adults in use of the equipment list below. Contractor should be aware of the USDA-APHIS-PPQ mission and have an appreciation for the diversity of subjects APHIS identifiers must photograph. As well, in structuring the workshop, the following workflow-related factors should be considered: (a) the variety of uses for the images captured; (b) time constraints placed on identifiers to complete certain types of image processing; (c) time-sensitive nature of identifiers” daily tasks; (d) changing role of digital imaging in identifiers’ traditional task set. The Federal Government will provide: (1) Nikon SMZ 1500 Stereoscopic Dissecting Microscopes; (2) Images representative of Entomology, Botany, Plant Pathology, Malacology, Nematology (3) DS-fi1 Cameras and L2 Control Units; (4) Various Point and Shoot Handheld Cameras; (5) Laptop Computers running Windows XP Pro; (6) Adobe Acrobat; (7) Microsoft Word; (8) Microsoft Power Point; (9) Helicon Focus Pro. THE CONTRACTOR WILL PROVIDE: (a) Curriculum; (b) Lectures; (Handouts or other learning aids deemed appropriate. (d) Instructor (s) names and resumes. NAICS Code 611430. QUOTATIONS ARE DUE APRIL 16, 2007 BY 10:00 a.m.local time. Submit faxed quotations to: USDA, APHIS, Attn: Charlene at (612) 370-2136, written quotations mailed to: USDA APHIS MRPBS, 100 North 6th Street, Butler Square West, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55403. All questions regarding this solicitation should be sent to:
[email protected], no phone calls. Simplified procurement procedures will be used as well as commercial item acquisition regulations per FAR 12. THIS IS A COMBINED SYNPOSIS/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 only solicitation. Quotations are being requested and written solicitation will not be issued, This solicitation document incorporates provision and clauses which are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular. Applicable FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: 52.212.1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items; 52-212-2 Evaluation of Commercial Items; 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items, The contractor shall return a completed copy of these provisions with its quote; 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; 52.219-9 Small Business Subcontracting Plan; 52.212-5, Contract Terms and conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items. The following clauses identified in 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; 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.222-19, Child Labor Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity; 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-22, Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports; 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans and the Vietnam Era, and other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-25, Affirmative Action Compliance; 52.222.36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilites; 52.227.2 Notice and Assistance Regarding Patent and Copyright Infringement; 52.227-14 Rights in Data - General; 52.227-15 Representations of Limited Rights Data and Restricted Computer Software; 52.222-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer Central Contractor Registration (CCR). To be awarded this contract, the offeror must be registered in the CCR. CCR information may be found at http://www.ccr.gov. The provisions of 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number apply to this solicitation. FAR Clauses can be reviewed at: http://www.arnet.gov/far. Provisions and clauses incorporated by reference have the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. This will be a fixed price contact. Within 30 days of the award of the contract, the contractor will make a site visit to review PPQ-specific identifier working environment, and will submit any handouts, a course outline, statement of approach, and resume(s) of all instructional personnel to the federal government. Revisions, if necessary, will be returned to the federal government within 2 weeks. All responsible offerors may submit a quotation for consideration. Offers have to include tax payer identification number____________________________DUNS number____________________and business size. Award will be made to the responsible offeror who meets all above criteria and provides the best value to the government. All questions regarding this solicitation should be sent to:
[email protected]. In referencing this solicitation, please refer to solicitaiton number PR87936