Description
The USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspections Service (APHIS), Plant and Protection Quarantine (PPQ), Frederick, MD, intends to procure the following: 40 Model 3065 Accu-Scope Inc. Teaching Stereo Microscopes , Brand Name or Equal. NAICS 334516 Code . This is a firm fixed price contract. 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. This solicitation document incorporates provisions and clauses which are in effect through the current Federal Acquisition Circular. Applicable FAR clauses are incorporated by reference: Prompt Payment 52.249-1; Changes--Fixed price 52.243-1; Small Disadvantaged Business Concert 52.219-1; Notice of price Evaluations preference for HUB Zone Small Business Concern 52.219-4; Instruction to Offerers - Commercial Items 52.212-1; Evaluation-Commercial items 52.212-2; Offerer Representations and Certifications 52.212-3; Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items 52.212-4; Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items 52.212-5; Brand Name or Equal 52.211-6; 52.204-7 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration. AGAR clause 452.211-70 Brand Name or Equal.BRAND NAME OR EQUAL (NOV 1996) (As used in this provision, the term "brand name" includes identification of products by make and model.) (a) If items called for by this solicitation have been identified by a "brand name or equal" description, such identification is intended to be descriptive, but not restrictive, and is to indicate the quality and characteristics of products that will be satisfactory. Offers of "equal" products (including products of the brand name manufacturer other than the one described by brand name) will be considered for award if such products are clearly identified in the offer (see clause 452.211-71) and are determined by the Contracting Officer to meet fully the salient characteristics requirements listed in the solicitation. (b) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that it is offering an "equal" product, the offeror shall be considered as offering the brand name product(s) referenced in the solicitation. (c)(1) If the offeror proposes to furnish an "equal" product or products, the brand name(s), if any, and any other required information about the product(s) to be furnished shall be inserted in the space provided in the solicitation. The evaluation of offers and the determination as to the equality of the product(s) offered shall be the responsibility of the Government and will be based on information furnished by the offeror or identified in its offer as well as other information reasonably available to the contracting activity. Caution to offerors: The contracting activity is not responsible for locating or securing any information which is not identified in the offer and is not reasonably available to the contracting activity. Accordingly, to assure that sufficient information is available, the offeror must furnish as a part of its offer all descriptive material (such as cuts, illustrations, drawings, or other infor-mation) necessary for the contracting activity to (i) determine whether theproduct offered meets the salient characteristics requirement of the solicitation, and (ii) establish exactly what the offeror proposes to furnish and what the Government would be binding itself to purchase by making an award. The information furnished may include specific reference to information previously furnished or to information otherwise available to the contracting activity. (2) If an offeror proposes to modify a product so as to make it conform to the requirements of the solicitation, the offer shall include (i) a clear description of such proposed modifications and (ii) clearly marked descriptive material to show the proposed modifications. AGAR 452.211-71 Equal Products Offered. As prescribed in 411.171, insert the following or substantially the same clause in solicitations seeking offers on a "brand name or equal" basis to allow offerors the opportunity to clearly identify the "equal" item being offered, and to illustrate how that item meets the salient characteristics requirements of the Government. EQUAL PRODUCTS OFFERED (NOV 1996) (a) Offerors proposing to furnish an "equal" product, in accordance with the "Brand Name or Equal" provision of this solicitation, shall provide the following information for each offered "equal" product: Contract Line Item Number (if any): _____________________________ Brand Name or Equal Product identified by the Government in this solicitation:________________________________________________ Offered Product Name:_______________________________________ Catalog Description or part number:___________________________________________________ Manufacturer's Name:________________________________________ Manufacturer's Address:___________________________________________________________________ (b) Offerors are responsible for submitting all additional information on the above product necessary for the Contracting Officer to determine whether the product offered meets the "brand name or equal" product's salient characteristics listed in the solicitation. All contractors must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CCR). ALL RESPONSIBLE SOURCES MAY SUBMIT A QUOTATION FOR CONSIDERATION. Award will be made to the lowest technically acceptable priced responsive responsible offerer. Proposals are due by Friday April 13, 2007, 11:00 AM CDST. Proposals may be faxed to 612-370-2136 with signed original forwarded by mail to: USDA APHIS Contracting, Butler Square West, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55403. Referenced FAR clauses can be accessed for review on the Internet at the following web site: http://www.arnet.gov/far. The following evaluation process is used in accordance with 52.212-2: Low Price Technical Acceptable All offers must be signed. Any other comparable scope would have to be demonstrated at the Professional Center in Frederick, Md. before award can be made. Offers should include tax payer identification number and DUNS number and business size. SPECIFICATIONS: Zoom Stereo binocular microscope with dovetail stand and top and bottom illumination (internal reflected and transmitted light). HWF 10/21 mm eyepiece, 0.65-4.5 zoom range for total magnification of 45x. This magnification is critical to match current microscope range. Binocular viewing head, inclined 45 degrees and rotatable, Interpupillary distance adjustment, zoom ratio of 7:1. Must have easy bulb replacement, smooth zoom and light adjustment, clear glass, B+W stage plate, power cord, eye guards and dustcovers. Must have 5 year warranty with parts and service available..