99--WOOD SHAVINGS

The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), New York Animal Import Center, 200 Drury Lane, Rock Tavern, New York, has a requirement for compressed wood shavings for animal bedding that are to be part of a quarantine procedure for the period October 1, 2003 through September 30, 2004. A fixed-price per pound blanket purchase order, for up to 500,000 pounds of wood shavings will result, with delivery on an as-needed basis via verbal order. F.O.B. destination. Small business set-aside under SIC code 2499. QUOTATIONS ARE DUE AUGUST 15, 2003, by 2:30 p.m. local time. Submit written or faxed quotation to "Purchasing Section", at (612) 370-2136 Attention Joanne Mann. Simplified procurement procedures will be used as well as commercial item acquisition regulations per FAR 12. 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. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation. Quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses which are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-15. Applicable FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: Prompt Payment 52.249-1; Fixed Price 52.243-1; Instructions to Offerors -Commercial Items 52.212-1; Evaluation-Commercial Items 52.212-2; Offeror Representations and Certifications 52.212-3; Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items 52.212-4; Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items 52.212-5. All responsible sources may submit a quotation for consideration. Offers should include tax payer identification number ________________________ and DUNS number _________________. SPECIFICATIONS: The compressed wood shavings shall be kiln dried for use as animal bedding by the New York Animal Import Center. The shavings shall be of the same type wood (White Pine) and screened so that it is free of bark and other foreign material such as wire, glue, nails, etc. Oak and other wood containing tannic acid are unacceptable. The shavings shall also be screened so that they are dust-free. Lightweight, curly shavings are required. Sawdust is unacceptable. The contractor is responsible for the delivery and unloading of compressed wood shavings into a barn located on the consignee's premises. MOISTURE CONTENT: Maximum 12 percent. PACKAGING: The compressed wood shavings shall be packaged in approximately 3.5 cubic foot paper packages. The package shall not exceed 40 lbs for convenience in handling by one person. Broken or torn packages will not be accepted. PACKING SLIP: Each shipment shall include a packing slip showing the purchase order number, order date, item description, the number of packages delivered and weight ticket. Award will be based on the lowest price technically acceptable to the Government.