Gerstel Preparative Fraction Collector

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE - THIS IS A NOTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE AWARD TO GERSTEL, INC TO PROVIDE A PREPARATION FRACTION COLLECTOR. The USDA, Animal Health Inspection Service (APHIS) intends to award a sole source Firm Fixed Price purchase order under the statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2) to Gerstel, Inc for Brand Name Gerstel Preparative Fraction Collector with flexible transfer line for use with existing Agilent 6890/7890 with MSD. The Center for Plant Health Science and Technology (CPHST) provides scientific support for PPQ regulatory decisions and operations, and is the main component of PPQ's Science and Technology core functional area, which also includes the National Clean Plant Network. CPHST is responsible for ensuring that PPQ has the information, tools and technology to make the most scientifically valid regulatory and policy decisions possible. In addition, CPHST ensures PPQ's operations have the most scientifically viable and practical tools for pest exclusion, detection, and management. Currently, CPHST comprises approximately 230 scientists, analysts, and support staff at 7 principal laboratories, with satellite locations throughout the United States and in Guatemala. The CPHST AQI Lab develops improved inspection methods and phytosanitary treatment technologies for commodities. The Gerstel, Inc unit is specifically designed to collect and concentrate fractions or pure compounds following GC separation. The Gerstel PFC system can be fully integrated with the existing Agilent GC/MSD equipped with Chemstation software already in existence at the CPHST-AQI Laboratory where work will be conducted. This equipment is required for the collection of pure compounds obtained from capillary GC separation. Methodology for this requirement was developed in fulfillment of requested deliverables of Farm Bill Project # 2.0315 "Assessment of Remote Sensor Technology and Portable Gas Chromatography as an Agricultural Screening Tool". This notice of intent is NOT a request for proposals or quotations. Request for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action is based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether conducting a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by responding to this requirement, no later than 10:00 A.M. CT on September 23, 2013, by email to [email protected]. All information submitted should support the offerors capability to provide the items required, and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. The Government reserves the right to cancel the Sole Source Award. The primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, Small Business Size 500 employees 52.211-6 -- Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999) (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government's needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must- (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by- (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. (End of provision) Quote Due Date, Time and Format Quotes and all documentation are due via email or mail no later than 10:00 A.M. CT PM on September 23, 2013. It is the contractor's responsibility to ensure quotes are received on time and any amendments to this solicitation are acknowledged. Quotes are to be submitted in Microsoft Word 2007 or a compatible format only referencing the RFQ 662870-GB in the subject line. USDA, APHIS, MRPBS Gloria Benson - Contracting 100 North 6th Street Suite 510-C, Butler Square Minneapolis, MN 55403 (612) 336-3220 phone (612) 336-3550 fax [email protected]