87 -- BALING WIRE

The USDA, Animal Market Service (AMS), Cotton Division, Memphis, TN intends to procure 19,100 wire bale ties. Multiple delivery sites are required. For delivery schedules, addresses and specifications, please call Melody Allison @ 816.926.5163. A sample is required for government testing & approval with the submitted proposal. Upon approval of the samp0le and award of a purchase order, delivery shall be a FOB destination to the twelve USDA offices listed in the specifications. NAICS Code 326199 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. A firm fixed price contract will be awarded, the expected period of performance will be from July 01, 2002 through September 01, 2002. 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. The solicitation documentation incorporates provisions and clauses that are in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 01-03. Applicable FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: Prompt Payment 52.249-1(4/84); Changes-Fixed price 52.243-1(8/87); Instructions to offerers-Commercial Items 52.212-1;Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside 52.219-6 (07/96); Evaluation-Commercial Items 52.212-2(10/97); Offerer Representations and Certifications 52.212-3(1/98); Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items 52.212-4(4/98); Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items 52.212-5(10/98); Limitations on Subcontracting 52.219-14 (12/96); THIS IS 100% SMALL BUSINESS SET ASIDE, ALL RESPONSIBLE SMALL BUSINESS BUSINESSES MAY SUBMIT A QUOTATION FOR CONSIDERATION. Award will be made to the technically acceptable lowest priced responsive responsible offerer that conforms to all the requirements of the solicitation. Technical acceptance will be determined by the sample submitted by each offerer as to conformance to specification. Proposals and samples are due by Friday June 7, 2002 2:30 PM CST. Proposals may be faxed to 816.823.4260 with signed original forwarded by mail to USDA, APHIS, VS, Melody Allison, 1510 East Bannister Rd, Bldg 1, Kansas City, MO 64131. The sample of bale wire are to be sent to USDA, AMS, Cotton Programs, 3275 Applying Road, Room 1, Memphis, TN 38133. Referenced FAR clauses can be accessed for review on the Internet at the following web site: http://www.arnet.gov/far. All offers must be signed. Offers should include tax payer identification number and DUNS number and business size.