USDA, ARS, PPD, Contracts Branch, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Rm. 3-2126-C, Beltsville, MD 20775-5100

66 -- QUALICON RIBO PRINTER MICROBIAL CHARACTERIZATION SYSTEM SOL RFQ 09-3K06-00 DUE 031300 POC Contact Contracting Officer Darleen Masten (301) 504-1709 E-MAIL: click here to contact the contracting officer via, dmasten@ars.usda.gov. The USDA, ARS, intends to purchase four (4) Qualicon Ribro Printer Systems, Catalog Number 200200001 and a minimum of 1,000 total per instrument of the following disposals (IDIQ buys): (a) RiboPrinter System Eco RI Batch kit, 48-Test kit, 17720533; (b) RiboPrinter System PstI Batch Kit, 48-Test kit, 17720596; (c) RiboPrinter System PvuII Batch Kit, 48-Test kit, 17720601, as a sole source from Qualicon, Inc., Route 141 and Henry Clay Road, Wilmington, Delaware 19880-0357, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The shipping locations are: Athens, GA; College Station, TX; Albany, CA; and Beltsville, MD. The system shall include the characterization unit, manuals (operation and site preparation), start-up supplies (i.e., RiboPrinter System Sample Preparation Pack, 480-Test Pack, 17020464), license to RibroPrinter pattern identification database, credit for disposables used in installation, software control system, analysis software, computer workstation with CPU, monitor, removable hard disk drive, keyboard, mouse, laser printer, heat treatment station, hand-held mixer, sample tube rack, one year of maintenance, and five days of training on-site. The system is patented by Qualicon and can create sub-species typing information on 32 bacterial isolates per day with less than 2 hours of hands-on time. The typing data is electronically stored and available for further study in a computerized system. A standardized format allows for easy interchange of the data with other sites using the RiboPrinter System, which is unique to this system. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 97-15. The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition: (1) 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial; (2) 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, and (3) 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, which include the following FAR Clauses under this provision: (a) 52.203-6, Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales to the Government, with Alternate I (41 U.S.C. 253g and 10 U.S.C. 2402); (b) 52.219-8, Utilization of Small Business Concerns and Small Disadvantaged Business Concerns (15 U.S.C. 637 (d)(2) and (3)); (c) 52.222-21, Prohibitation of Segregated facilities; (d) 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (E.O. 11246); (e) 52.222-35, Affirmative Action for Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212); (f) 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities (29 U.S.C. 793); (g) 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Disabled Veterans and Veterans of the Vietnam Era (38 U.S.C. 4212); (h) 52.225-3, Buy American Act -- Supplies (41 U.S.C. 10); 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer -- Central Contractor Registration (31 U.S.C. 3332); 52.247-64, Preference for Privately Owned U.S.-Flage Commercial Vessels (46 U.S.C. 1241); 52.222-41, Service Contract Act of 1965, As Amended (41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.);52.222-42, Statement of Equivalent Rates for Federal Hires (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et. seq.); and 52.222-44, Fair Labor Standards Act and Service contract Act -- Price Adjustment (29 U.S.C. 206 and 41 U.S.C. 351, et seq.). Offerors are to include a completed copy of provision FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, with their offer. The SIC is 3826. System must be year 2000 compliant. 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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. All responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. Any such quotes must be submitted by 3:00pm, Eastern Time, March 13, 2000, and include at a minimum the following: a price quote (including shipping cost), descriptive literature, five references for the proposed instrument that have received the proposed instrument (Government references preferred but will accept commercial references). Please include a name and telephone number for all references. Quotations shall be submitted to the address shown in No. 7 of this synopsis. Facsimile or E-MAIL responses will be acceptable, but the government is not responsible for failed deliveries of offers. Responses should indicate solicitation number Request For Quotations (RFQ) 09-3K06-00.***** Posted 03/02/00 (W-SN430248). (0062)

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