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 examination gloves. This includes both latex and nitrile types. Sizes required shall include small, medium and large. The Government expects to acquire gloves 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. Through a reverse auction under Invitation for Bid (IFB)263-03-B(BD)-0048, the National Institutes of Health will purchase examination gloves as manufactured by Safeskin Corporation or equal in accordance with the salient characteristics delineated in the subject IFB. NAICS code 339113. Additionally, the Government contemplates making award for all of the items above on an all or none basis. Vendors responding to this synopsis are requested to indicate their capability to supply all of the different categories of gloves from the glove manufacturer cited above, or equal.." 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. 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. Requests for the IFB must be via e-mail to the Contracting Officer at
[email protected] or via fax to the Contracting Officer at (301)402-0887.