36 -- FOUR INDEPENDENTLY OPERATED EXPERIMENTAL ROLLER MILLS

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Crop Conversion Science and Engineering (CCSE) Unit is seeking to purchase Four Independently Operated Experimental Roller Mills. These units are to be used in a pilot plant for research purposes. The USDA requires Four Independently Operated Experimental Roller Mils to be furnished and delivered (F.O.B. Destination within Consignee=s Premises) to the USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center located in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania; in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications contained in this document. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 (current as of FAC 2001-24), 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 procurement is a small business set-aside. The NAICS is 333516. The Solicitation number 930-0096, is issued as a Request For Quotation (RFQ). SCHEDULE OF ITEMS - Furnish and deliver, F.O.B. Destination Four Independently Operated Experimental Roller Mills. The roller mill sets are to be used to reduce materials in small batches (1 to 5 kg) or to be placed in a continuous operation as part of a processing flow. Each roll mill stand should be identical; the only difference will be the roll corrugations for each set. The following are the characteristics for each set: 1) Each set should consist of a stand of two rolls with dimensions close to 10? diameter by 6? wide; 2) Rolls should be constructed of cast chilled iron with the same hardness and compressive strength as comparable to industrial rolls used in wheat flour milling; 3) The gap between the rolls should be easily adjustable by the operator through hand wheels with indicators that clearly identify the gap for future repetitive experiments; 4) Each set should be equipped with feeder rolls of adjustable speed; 5) Each set should be equipped with 220v electric motor, overload protection and starter sized appropriately to run the materials indicated above in a continuous operation; 6) Each stand should be equipped with inlet and outlet hoppers. The inlet hopper should be equipped with a slide gate for feed adjustment; 7) An easy-to-access and remove collection box for ground materials needs to be provided at the outlet of the stand for batch operation. By removal of the box the set should be able to work in a continuous flow; 8) Equipped with guards, bearing, bearing guards and protections for the safely operation of the unit, providing for the complete safety of the operator; 9) Equipped and installed with all necessary roll brushes for removal of the material attached to the roll after each rotation; 10) Equipped with all the necessary pulleys and belts to provide foradjustable roll speed and desired speed differential between the rolls; 11) Each set should be capable of being operated independently from the other sets and mounted in a heavy duty support base with wheels that allow for the easy movement in the pilot plant. Wheels should be equipped with locks to deter movement of the unit while in operation; 12) Each set should be supplied ready to operate with only the electrical connection to be done; 13) The rolls should be of easy installation in the stand; 14) The corrugations characteristics required for each roll of the roll stands are: a: Stand 1: smooth rolls for both. b: Stand 2: 7 and 8 corrugations per inch for the fast and slow roll, respectively; and saw tooth corrugation and ½? spiral for both c: Stand 3: 5 and 6 corrugations per inch for the fast and slow roll, respectively; and saw tooth corrugation and ½? spiral for both. d: Stand 4: 12 and 14 corrugations per inch for the fast and slow roll, respectively; and Getchel corrugation and ½? spiral for both. Two additional sets of two pairs of spare rolls each should be included in the quote. These rolls should be capable of easy installation in any of the four sets. The corrugation characteristics of one set of two spare rolls should be 22 corrugations per inch, Getchel corrugation, and ½? spiral. The corrugation characteristics of the other set of two spare rolls should be 12 corrugations per inch, Getchel corrugation, and ½? spiral. Companies with the demonstrated capability of providing this equipment must submit a descriptive statement, including descriptive literature, specifically addressing the equipment=s component=s and availability. The statement and literature must be submitted to the Contracting Office Address at the day and time specified in the synopsis. This is not a request for proposal. No solicitation is available. The items to be furnished shall be labeled with the purchase order number and delivered, all transportation charges paid by the Contractor in accordance with the F.O.B. Destination Clause to USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center. DOCUMENTATION: The Contractor shall provide operations, repair, maintenance manuals, and service instructions submitted upon delivery of the equipment. WARRANTY: The Contractor shall provide the warranty for this equipment with their offer. ADDITIONAL QUOTATION INFORMATION: Facsimile quotations are acceptable. The provision at 52-212-1, Instruction to Offerors - Commercial Items (Jan 2004), applies to this acquisition. FAR Clause 52.212-1, is amended to include the following clauses by reference: 1. Item (b) Submission of Offers is amended to include the following: Submit your quotation, warranties, descriptive literature of the proposed equipment, and the Certifications at FAR 52.212-3 to the Contracting Officer. FAILURE TO SUBMIT THIS INFORMATION MAY RENDER THE OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE. FACSIMILE OFFERS ARE ACCEPTABLE. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (Jan 1999), applies to this acquisition. ADDENDUM TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-2. Any resulting order will be issued to the company offering the best value to the Government, price and other factors considered. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD will be based on technical capabilities, price and price-related factors. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION RELATIVE TO EACH EVALUATION FACTOR MAY RENDER YOUR OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE. a) Technical Capability will be based on technical features, and product literature. Each offeror is required to submit warranty information, descriptive literature or other documentation, and show how the offered product meets or exceeds the requirements as specified in the specifications. b) Price includes all equipment, accessories, discount terms, and transportation. Your offer shall include pricing in accordance with the SCHEDULE OF ITEMS identified above. c) Offerors shall include a complete copy of the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror/Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items (May 2004), with the quotation. FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Oct 2003), applies to this acquisition. ADDENDA TO FAR CLAUSE 52.212-4. The following terms and conditions are added as an addendum to this clause: 1. Item (a) Inspection and Acceptance is amended to include the following: AGAR 452.246-70 INSPECTION AND ACCEPTANCE (FEB 1988) - (a) The Contracting Officer or the Contracting Officer=s duly authorized representative will inspect and accept the supplies and/or services to be provided under this contract. (b) Inspection and acceptance of the item shall be performed at: USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. 2. Item (g) Invoice is amended to include the following: The invoice shall be submitted in an original and one copy after delivery of all items. The Invoice shall be mailed to: USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, ATTN: Regina Dennis. 3. Item (o) Warranty is amended to include the following: The Contractor shall extend to the Government the full coverage of any standard commercial warranty normally offered in a similar commercial sale, provided such warranty is available at no additional cost to the Government. Acceptance of the standard commercial warranty does not waive the Government=s rights under the Inspection clause nor does it limit the Government=s rights with regard to the other terms and conditions of this contract. The Contractor shall provide a copy of its standard commercial warranty with its quotation. USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center plans to award a single, firm-fixed price contract to the offeror whose quotation is most advantageous to the Government price and other factors considered. Award may be made without discussions; however, ERRC reserves the right to conduct discussions later if determined necessary by the contracting officer. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and affect as if they were given in full text. The full text of these clauses may be accessed electronically at: http://www.arnet.gov/far/. 52.214-21, Descriptive Literature ( Apr 2002); 52.214-34, Submission of Offers in the English Language (Apr 1991); 52.214-35 Submission of Offers in U.S. Currency (Apr 1991); 52.247-35, F.O.B. Destination, Within Consignee=s Premises (APR 1984); 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (Jun 2004); 52.232-33 Payment By Electronic Funds Transfer -Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003), applies to this acquisition. Responses are due by 4:00 p.m. local time, on September 22, 2004, at the USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, Location Administrative Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. Point of Contact for this acquisition is Regina Dennis, Purchasing Agent, (215) 233-6553 or fax (215) 233-6485.