The National Institutes of Health (NIH) conducts the world's largest biomedical research program. Direct research and support are performed in numerous laboratories in the continental United States. During the course of conducting laboratory experiments, research and clinical studies NIH uses a variety of surgical masks. This requirement is for a molded contour style mask. The Government expects to acquire surgical masks for a base year and four option years of requirements and anticipates this acquisition will be solicited using reverse auction pricing procedures. After the solicitation is posted, and responses have been received and evaluated, only qualified bidders will be invited to participate in an on-line bidding process.This synopsis constitutes a pre-solicitation notification as well as a market search for small business manufacturers/offerors of the products noted below or equal. Any firms who are small business manufacturers of the above noted products are requested to identify themselves when requesting a copy of the IFB. According to FAR 19.102(f)(1)(2), a manufacturer is defined as "The manufacturer of the end item being acquired is the concern which, with its own forces, transforms inorganic or organic substances including raw materials and/ or miscellaneous parts or components into such end item." " A concern which purchases items and packages them into a kit is considered to be a nonmanufacturer small business." Additionally, the Government contemplates making award for all of the items above on an all or none basis. Through a reverse auction under Invitation for Bid (IFB)263-03-B(BD)-0049, the National Institutes of Health will purchase surgical masks as manufactured by 3M Healthcare or equal in accordance with the salient characteristics delineated in the subject IFB. NAICS code 339113. Vendors responding to this synopsis are requested to indicate their capability to supply all of the masks as cited above. It is anticipated that a firm-fixed price indefinite delivery (requirements) type contract will be awarded for a period of one year with four 12-month option periods. Requests for the IFB must be via e-mail to the Contracting Officer at
[email protected] or by fax at 301 402-0887 The IFB will be issued on or about February 28, 2003. Closing date for responses is approximately 30 calendar days after issuance of the IFB.