6630-- qPCR Machine | Research

Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Page 16 of 16 Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice *= Required Field Combined Synopsis/Solicitation Notice Page 1 of 16 SUBJECT* 96-well qPCR | Research GENERAL INFORMATION CONTRACTING OFFICE S ZIP CODE* 80111 SOLICITATION NUMBER* 36C25924Q0796 RESPONSE DATE/TIME/ZONE 12-26-2024 15:00 MOUNTAIN TIME, DENVER, USA ARCHIVE 30 DAYS AFTER THE RESPONSE DATE RECOVERY ACT FUNDS N SET-ASIDE SDVOSBC PRODUCT SERVICE CODE* 6630 NAICS CODE* 334516 CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS Department of Veterans Affairs Network Contracting Office NCO 19 6162 South Willow Drive, Suite 300 Greenwood Village CO 80111 POINT OF CONTACT* Contracting Specialist Eric Ayers [email protected] 801-582-1565 x1808 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE ADDRESS George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center Bldg 7, Warehouse Attn: Liz Weld 500 Foothill Drive Salt Lake City Utah POSTAL CODE 84148 COUNTRY USA ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AGENCY S URL URL DESCRIPTION AGENCY CONTACT S EMAIL ADDRESS EMAIL DESCRIPTION DESCRIPTION Request for Quote (RFQ) #: 96-Well qPCR System This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The Government reserves the right to make no award from this solicitation. ** The deadline for all questions is 3:00pm MST, 01/16/2024. All questions must be submitted in writing no later than the question cut-off date marked above. All questions will be answered officially through an amendment to the solicitation. *** Quotes are to be provided to [email protected] no later than 3:00pm MST, 01/20/2024. Quotes shall not be hand carried. Faxed quotes shall not be accepted. Emailed quotes are the only method of submitted quotes (4MB email limit). The Government reserves the right to make award solely on initial Quotes received. Offerors bear the burden of ensuring that all portions of the offer (and any authorized amendments) reach the designated office before the deadline specified in the solicitation. This RFQ shall be completed in its entirety, and signed and dated, failure shall not be considered for award. This is a Request for Quote (RFQ) and the solicitation number is 36C25924Q0796. The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract resulting from this solicitation. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2024-05 effective April 22, 2024. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. This solicitation is a 100% set-aside for SDVOSB concerns. List of Line Items; Line Item Description Quantity Unit of Measure Unit Price Total Price 0001 CFX Opus 96 Real-Time PCR System 96-well, 5-color FRET, network-connection real-time PCR detection system, includes CFX Opus 96 base unit, cables. 1 EA $ $ 0002 CFX Opus Wi-Fi Adapter, North America & Others Wi-Fi Antenna enables Wi-Fi connection for CFS Opus in North America 1 EA 0003 CFX Maestro Software 2.3 for Windows PC 1 license, CFX Maestro 2.3, software for real-time PCR plate setup, data collection, statistics, and graphing of results; for Windows PCs 1 EA 0004 CFX Maestro Software, Mac Edition Mac edition of CFX Maestro Software for real-time PCR plate setup, data analysis, statistics and graphing of results 1 EA 0005 This service belongs to Instrument: 12011319 ENP CFX OPUS PCR MI CFX OPUS, CFX OPUS DW or CFX OPUS Dx, 1 yr FULL MAIL IN Extended Cover Service Plan. Unlimited repair inclusive of shipping, parts and labor. Computer not covered. Includes thermal cycler and optical reaction module. PM not included. 1 JB Grand Total $ STATEMENT OF WORK Contracting Officer s Representative (COR) COR Name: Liz Weld VA Name: 660- George E. Wahlen VAMC VA Address: 500 S Foothill Dr., SLC, UT 84148 E-Mail Address: [email protected] Solicitation Class Open Market- SDVOSB Contract Title: qPCR System Background: The Drakos lab requires the 96 Well Real Time PCR system to quantitatively measure the transcripts of multiple genes at various steps of the experiments. This will aid to understand the mechanism and gene regulation mediated by fibroblast at different signaling processes of fibrosis and cardiac remodeling initiated through AEBP1 mechanism. The VA funded project number is I01BX006306-01: Understanding Myocardial Recovery in Diabetes and Heart Failure (CARA-003-20S). The CFX Opus 96 DX Real-Time PCR system provides a robust and reliable open platform for development and performance of in vitro diagnostic assays. The enhanced thermal performance ensures consistent data from well to well. When used with the CFX Maestro Dx SE Software for security and traceability, the integrity of patient results is ensured. Scope: 96-well Real-time PCR system with repair and maintenance plan for one year. CFX Opus 96 Real-Time PCR System: 96-well, 5-color plus FRET, network-connected real-time PCR detection system, includes CFX Opus 96 base unit and cables. CFX Maestro Software 2.3 for Windows PC: 1 license of software for PCR plate setup, data collection, statistics, and graphing of results; for Windows PCs CFX Opus Wi-Fi Adapter, North America: Wi-FI antenna enables Wi-Fi connection for CFX Opus in North American and other specific countries CFX Maestro Software, Mac Edition: Mac Edition of CFX Maestro Software for real-time PCR plate setup, data analysis, statistics, and graphing of results. ENP CFX OPUS PCR MI CFX OPUS< CFX OPUS DQ or CFX OPUS Dx, 1 yr Full mail in: extended service plan for unlimited repair inclusive of shipping, parts and labor. Includes thermal cycler and optical reaction modules. View, Sign, save, and print an audit report with CFX Maestro Dx SE Software Control access to protocols and run files on the instrument with User Management through use of username and password. Email your completed run. Save protocols and completed runs in a network folder. Create new real-time PCR protocols or easily modify existing protocols. Set up unique Usernames, with optional passwords, to easily organize and find your protocols and experiments. Assists with U.S. FDA 21 CFR Part 11 regulations using CFX maestro Dx SE Software security, audit, and electronic signature capabilities. Technical Specifications: Contract Type: This is one-time buy, fixed cost contract request for equipment, software, and a one-year service plan. Period of Performance: Base year, effective the date of award. Place of Performance: 500 S Foothill Dr. Building 2- Drakos Lab Salt Lake City, UT 84148 Government and Contractor Responsibilities 7.1. Contractor Responsibility 7.1.1. Contractor shall furnish personnel, supervision, industry documentation, professional expertise, tools, materials, equipment, and quality control to complete the mandatory tasks and deliverables of this SOW. 7.1.2. The items necessary to perform work as required under this contract shall be furnished, maintained, and operated by the Contractor and shall be consistent and fully compliant with all applicable VHA, OSHA, ASME, NFPA, Federal, State, County, City laws, ordinances, and regulations. 7.1.3. All equipment, tools, and devices used as Measuring and Test Equipment shall have traceability for valid calibration to an accredited standard. Calibration traceability documentation shall be provided to the COR upon request. 7.1.4. The Contractor and contractor personnel shall be responsible for the cost repair or replacement of any damage to the VA Medical Center structure or equipment caused by the Contractor or key personnel. 7.2. Government Responsibility The COR shall provide any relevant documentation regarding the work as required under this SOW. Additional documentation may be available at the request of the Contractor. Formal Acceptance or Rejection of Deliverables 8.1 Contractor shall provide detailed service report to within 10 business days after performance of service. The VA shall have 3 business days to review the report and provide comments. The contractor shall have 5 business days to incorporate comments. 8.2 If deficiencies were discovered not covered by this service contract, Contractor shall provide a written (email) detailed description of deficiencies discovered and a proposal to correct the deficiency, including a description of the work and cost. The VA shall have 10 business days to review the proposal before accepting or declining the offered correction. Acceptance of the correction will be in the form of a modification to this contract. Quality Standards for Deliverables - Performance Measures All components shall be delivered free from defect and damage. All components delivered shall meet the manufacturer s requirement as approved replacements. All parts and labor shall carry a minimum of one (1) year replacement warranty. All Service trips are schedule and completed per requirements of this SOW. Delivery and acceptance shall be F.O.B Destination (FAR 52.247-34) at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, located: George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center Building 7 - Warehouse 500 Foothill Blvd Salt Lake City, UT 84148 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items applies to this acquisition ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS COMMERCIAL Gray market items are Original Equipment Manufacturer s (OEM) goods sold through unauthorized channels in direct competition with authorized distributors. This procurement is for new OEM medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment (i.e. replacement parts) for VA Medical Centers. No remanufactures or gray market items will be acceptable. Offeror shall be an OEM, authorized dealer, authorized distributor or authorized reseller for the proposed medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment (i.e. replacement parts), verified by an authorization letter or other documents from the OEM, such that the OEM s warranty and service are provided and maintained by the OEM. All software licensing, warranty and service associated with the medical supplies, medical equipment and/or services contracts for maintenance of medical equipment shall be in accordance with the OEM terms and conditions. The delivery of gray market items to the VA in the fulfillment of an order/award constitutes a breach of contract. Accordingly, the VA reserves the right enforce any of its contractual remedies. This includes termination of the contract or, solely at the VA s election, allowing the Vendor to replace, at no cost to the Government, any remanufactured or gray market item(s) delivered to a VA medical facility upon discovery of such items. Any award made as a result of this solicitation will be made on an All or Nothing Basis. State if quoted items are available and priced through offerors existing Government-wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC), GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract, or VA-wide Acquisition Contract. If the acquisition is set-aside for SDVOSBs/VOSBs, their socioeconomic status must be VIP verified and visible in the VA Vendor Information Pages (VIP): https://www.vip.vetbiz.gov/ at the time of quote submission AND award, or will be considered non-responsive, and will NOT be considered for award. Offerors are warned against contacting any VA personnel other than the Contracting Officer and Contract Specialist prior to placement of any award made resulting from this RFQ. If such contact occurs and found to be prejudicial to competing contactors, the offeror making such contact may be excluded from award considerations. All proprietary information shall be clearly and properly marked. If the Offeror submits annexes, documentation, attachments or the like, not specifically required by this solicitation, such will count against the Offeror s page limitations unless otherwise indicated in the specific volume instructions below. All information shall be confined to the appropriate file. The offeror shall confine submissions to essential matters, sufficient to define the quote and provide an adequate basis for evaluation. Offerors are responsible for including sufficient details, in a concise manner, to permit a complete and accurate evaluation of each quote. Submission of quote shall include the following volumes: (I) Technical capability or quality of the item offered to meet the Government requirement; (II) - Completion of Attachment - VAAR Clause 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (DEVIATION) ; and (III) Price Volume I - Technical capability or quality of the item offered to meet the Government requirement The offeror shall submit specifications, cut sheets, or brochures confirming the equal products, including equal products of the brand name manufacturer submitted, meets or exceeds the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation. The product(s) quoted must be identified by brand name, if any, and make or model number. Volume II - Completion of Attachment - VAAR Clause 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (DEVIATION) The offeror shall complete the Attachment - VAAR Clause 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (DEVIATION) and submit as part of the quote. Volume III Price Price - The offeror shall complete the pricing schedule provided in Section (v) above: Price/Cost Schedule. (End of Addendum to 52.212-1) 52.212-2, Evaluation--Commercial Items applies to this acquisition ADDENDUM to FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION COMMERCIAL ITEMS: The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government considering price and other factors. The following factors shall be used to evaluate quotations: Factor 1. Technical capability or quality of the item offered to meet the Government requirement Factor 2. Completion of Attachment - VAAR Clause 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (DEVIATION) Factor 3. Price Evaluation Approach. The Government will evaluate quotations using the comparative evaluation process outlined in FAR 13.106-2(b)(3), where quotations will be compared to one another to determine which provides the best benefit to the Government. The Government reserves the right to consider a quotation other than the lowest price that provides additional benefit(s). Quotations may exceed minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government reserves the right to select a quotation that provides benefit to the Government that exceeds the minimum requirements of the solicitation, but is not required to do so. Each response must meet the minimum requirements of the solicitation. The Government is not requesting or accepting alternate quotations. The evaluation will consider the following: Factor 1. Technical capability or quality of the item offered to meet the Government requirement: The quotation will be evaluated to the extent to which it can meet and/or exceed the Government s requirements as outlined in the solicitation and based on the information requested in the instructions to quoters section of the solicitation. Factor 2. Completion of Attachment - VAAR Clause 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (DEVIATION) : The Government will evaluate the responses an offeror makes to Attachment - VAAR Clause 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (DEVIATION) for completeness. If an offeror fails to complete Attachment - VAAR Clause 852.219-76 VA Notice of Limitations on Subcontracting-Certificate of Compliance for Supplies and Products (DEVIATION) their quote will be determined ineligible for award. Factor 3. Price: The Government will evaluate the price by adding the total of all line item prices. The Government may use various price analysis techniques and procedures to make a price reasonableness determination. Offers that do not meet or exceed the technical capability or quality of the item offered to the Government requirement shall not be selected regardless of price. (End of Addendum to 52.212-2) 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) website located at https://www.sam.gov/portal in accordance with FAR 52.212-3, Offerors Representations and Certifications Commercial Items. If paragraph (j) of the provision is applicable, a written submission is required. Offerors must be registered in SAM at time of offer submission. 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions--Commercial Items applies to this acquisition 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders--Commercial Items (JUL 2020) applies to this acquisition FAR 52.212-5 applies to this acquisition with the following FAR clauses incorporated by reference; FAR 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation & First-Tier Subcontract Awards (JUN 2020) FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020) FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (OCT 2020) FAR 52.209-6 Protecting the Government s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment (JUN 2020) FAR 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Representation (NOV 2020) FAR 52.219-33 Nonmanufacturer Rule (MAR 2020) FAR 52.222-3 Convict Labor (JUN 2003) FAR 52.222-19 Child Labor Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (JUL 2020) FAR 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (APR 2015) FAR 52.222-26 Equal Opportunity (SEP 2016) FAR 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans (JUN 2020) FAR 52.222-36 Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (JUN 2020) FAR 52.222-37 Employment Reports on Veterans (JUN 2020) FAR 52.222-40 Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act (DEC 2010) FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons (OCT 2020) FAR 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (JUN 2020) FAR 52.225-1 Buy American Supplies (JAN 2021) FAR 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (JUN 2008) FAR 52.229-12 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements (JUN 2020) FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer System for Award Management (Oct 2018) Additional contract requirements or terms and conditions: 52.217-6 Option for Increased Quantity (MAR 1989) The Government may increase the quantity of supplies called for in the Schedule at the unit price specified. The Contracting Office may exercise the option by written notice to the Contractor prior to receipt of all items. Delivery of the added items shall continue at the same rate as the like items called for under the contract unless the parties otherwise agree. 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (a) This clause does not apply to the unrestricted portion of a partial set-aside. (b) Definition. Similarly situated entity, as used in this clause, means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that (1) Has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award (e.g., for a small business set-aside contract, any small business concern, without regard to its socioeconomic status); and (2) Is considered small for the size standard under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract. (c) Applicability. This clause applies only to (1) Contracts that have been set aside for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3); (2) Part or parts of a multiple-award contract that have been set aside for any of the small business concerns identified in 19.000(a)(3); (3) Contracts that have been awarded on a sole-source basis in accordance with subparts 19.8, 19.13, 19.14, and 19.15; (4) Orders expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold and that are (i) Set aside for small business concerns under multiple-award contracts, as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F); or (ii) Issued directly to small business concerns under multiple-award contracts as described in 19.504(c)(1)(ii); (5) Orders, regardless of dollar value, that are (i) Set aside in accordance with subparts 19.8, 19.13, 19.14, or 19.15 under multiple-award contracts, as described in 8.405-5 and 16.505(b)(2)(i)(F); or (ii) Issued directly to concerns that qualify for the programs described in subparts 19.8, 19.13, 19.14, or 19.15 under multiple-award contracts, as described in 19.504(c)(1)(ii); and (6) Contracts using the HUBZone price evaluation preference to award to a HUBZone small business concern unless the concern waived the evaluation preference. (d) Independent contractors. An independent contractor shall be considered a subcontractor. (e) Limitations on subcontracting. By submission of an offer and execution of a contract, the Contractor agrees that in performance of a contract assigned a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for (1) Services (except construction), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both services and supplies, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the service portion of the contract; (2) Supplies (other than procurement from a nonmanufacturer of such supplies), it will not pay more than 50 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 50 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. When a contract includes both supplies and services, the 50 percent limitation shall apply only to the supply portion of the contract; (3) General construction, it will not pay more than 85 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 85 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded; or (4) Construction by special trade contractors, it will not pay more than 75 percent of the amount paid by the Government for contract performance, excluding the cost of materials, to subcontractors that are not similarly situated entities. Any work that a similarly situated entity further subcontracts will count towards the prime contractor's 75 percent subcontract amount that cannot be exceeded. (f) The Contractor shall comply with the limitations on subcontracting as follows: (1) For contracts, in accordance with paragraphs (c)(1), (2), (3) and (6) of this clause _ By the end of the base term of the contract and then by the end of each subsequent option period; or X By the end of the performance period for each order issued under the contract. (2) For orders, in accordance with paragraphs (c)(4) and (5) of this clause, by the end of the performance period for the order. (g) A joint venture agrees that, in the performance of the contract, the applicable percentage specified in paragraph (e) of this clause will be performed by the aggregate of the joint venture participants. (1) In a joint venture comprised of a small business protégé and its mentor approved by the Small Business Administration, the small business protégé shall perform at least 40 percent of the work performed by the joint venture. Work performed by the small business protégé in the joint venture must be more than administrative functions. (2) In an 8(a) joint venture, the 8(a) participant(s) shall perform at least 40 percent of the work performed by the joint venture. Work performed by the 8(a) participants in the joint venture must be more than administrative functions. (End of clause) 52.225-2 Buy American Certificate (OCT 2022) (1) The Offeror certifies that each end product, except those listed in paragraph (b) of this provision, is a domestic end product and that each domestic end product listed in paragraph (c) of this provision contains a critical component. (2) The Offeror shall list as foreign end products those end products manufactured in the United States that do not qualify as domestic end products. For those foreign end products that do not consist wholly or predominantly of iron or steel or a combination of both, the Offeror shall also indicate whether these foreign end products exceed 55 percent domestic content, except for those that are COTS items. If the percentage of the domestic content is unknown, select no . (3) The Offeror shall separately list the line item numbers of domestic end products that contain a critical component (see FAR 25.105). (4) The terms commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item, critical component, domestic end product, end product, and foreign end product are defined in the clause of this solicitation entitled Buy American Supplies. Foreign End Products: Line item No. Country of origin Exceeds 55% domestic content (yes/no) [List as necessary] (b) Domestic end products containing a critical component: Line item No. [List as necessary] (c) The Government will evaluate offers in accordance with the policies and procedures of part 25 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (End of Provision) 852.212-70, Provisions and Clauses Applicable to VA Acquisition of Commercial Items (Apr 2020) VAAR 852.203-70 Commercial Advertising (MAY 2018) VAAR 852.219-10 VA Notice of Total Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Set-Aside (DEC 2009) VAAR 852.232-72 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests (NOV 2018) VAAR 852.233-70 Protest Content/Alternative Dispute Resolution (SEP 2018) VAAR 852.233-71 Alternate Protest Procedure (SEP 2018) VAAR 852.246-71 Rejected Goods (OCT 2018) 852.252-70, Solicitation Provisions or Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Jan 2008) The following provisions or clauses incorporated by reference in this solicitation must be completed by the offeror or prospective contractor and submitted with the quotation or offer. Copies of these provisions or clauses are available on the Internet at the web sites provided in the provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference, or the clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference. Copies may also be obtained from the contracting officer. http://www.acquisition.gov/far/index.html https://www.acquisition.gov/vaar The following FAR provisions are to be incorporated by reference: FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018) FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020) FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (AUG 1999) FAR 52.229-11 Tax on Certain Foreign Procurements Notice and Representation (JUN 2020) The following FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: FAR 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights (JUN 2020) FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018) FAR 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020) FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (NOV 2021) The following VAAR clauses are to be incorporated by reference: VAAR 852.212-71 Gray Market Items (APR 2020) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) does not apply. Date and Time offers are due to [email protected] by 3:00pm MST, 01/20/2024, 3:00 PM MDT. Name and email of the individual to contact for information regarding the solicitation: Eric Ayers [email protected]