66 -- AUTO MONTAGE SYSTEM

Notice Date

January 30, 2001

Contracting Office

USDA, ARS, Southern Plains Area, 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suit 230, College Station, Texas, 77840

ZIP Code

77840

Solicitation Number

R109-6235-2001

Response Due

February 15, 2001

Point of Contact

Michael A. Douglas, Contracting Officer, Phone: 979/260-9480; Fax: 979/260-9413

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the Contracting Officer via (mdouglas@spa.ars.usda.gov)

Description

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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is R109-6235-2001 and is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The SIC is 3826. This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97-19. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service, intends to procure on a sole source basis one (1) Auto-Montage System, (Part Number AM-SYS-PRM/70) and Workstation, (Part Number AM-PC) from K&R Technology International, 97H Monocacy Boulevard, Frederick, MD, 21701 under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. The internal colonization of native plant roots by symbiotic fungi is being evaluated microscopically at high magnification to examine the nature and extent of internal plant-fungal associations. Because of the narrow depth of field encountered when using high magnification, a fully automated imaging system that generates a perfectly focused images of internal plant-fungal interfaces over an expanded depth of field in whole root mounts is required. Such a system will facilitate 3-D documentation, measurement, and recording of microscopic data necessary to accurately describe and communicate the internal fungal interfaces in root cells. The following are the Salient characteristics for the equipment required: (1) A high resolution, high sensitivity 3-chip digital camera system capable of high resolution imaging for differential interference, phase contrast and low light fluorescence microscopy. The system must be able to scan 3 D whole root mounts at high magnification, capture and collate focused images over a wide depth of field and build a 9000 X 9000 pixel, fully focused image. (2) System support requires a 900MHz or better computer with 512 MB RAM, 32 MB,Open GL accelerated graphic board; 30GB Hard disk; 20/48x CD-ROM and 8x/4x/32x CD/RW CD-writer Iomega 250 Zip Drive; Network card, 21" Monitor, MS Office SBE software, High Resolution Digital Color Printer. All software and boards pre-loaded and tested. (3) Software must have multiple file format support, handle unlimited image size, produce both monochrome and color images, advanced montaging algorithms, and image editing capability. (4) Measurement capabilities: calibrated measurements, line profile display and ability to export to Microsoft Excel. (5) 3D surface viewer, option to view 3D model from all angles, and rendered image or color coded surface. (6) Integraded framegrabber must be software controlled, capture high resolution images, support the high resolution 3 chip digital camera, color or monochrome, live window display, and PCI bus framegrabber. (7) Integrated Z-stepper that is software controlled, attaches to fine focus knob of existing Zeiss stereo and Axiophot research microscopes, automatic source image series capture and requires integrated framegrabber option. The contractor shall perform all delivery, set-up and training so that the Auto-Montage System is complete and ready to use. The Auto-Montage System shall be delivered to the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Jornada Experimental Range, NMSU Knox Hall Room 239, Las Cruces, New Mexico, 88003. The Government "desires" delivery within 30 days or less after receipt of the purchase order by the successful offeror; however, each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their quotation. Acceptance and FOB point are destination. In order to be considered for award offerors shall provide a quotation on company letterhead detailing the unit pricing; descriptive literature, brochures, and five references for the proposed instrument that have received the proposed instrument within the last three calendar years (Government references preferred but will accept commercial references) shall also be provided for the product quoted. FAR 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial Items), FAR 52.212-2 (Evaluation -- Commercial Items), the significant evaluation factors, in the relative order of importance, are (i) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement; (ii) past performance; and (iii) price (based on F.O.B. Destination), and FAR 52.212-4 (Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items) apply to this acquisition. FAR 52.212-5 (Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items) also applies, with the following clauses from (b) applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.203-6; FAR 52.219-4; FAR 52.219-8; FAR 52.219-23; FAR 52.222-26; FAR 52.222-35; FAR 52.222-36; FAR 52.222-37; FAR 52.225-16; FAR 52.232-36. Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3 (Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items), with this offer; a copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting officer or at http://www.arnet.gov/far. Furnish quotations to Michael Douglas, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, SPA, 7607 Eastmark Drive, Suite 230, College Station, Texas, 77840, no later than 4:30p.m., February 15, 2001. Quotations my be provided by facsimile to (979) 260-9413 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the contracting officer at (979) 260-9480 (voice) or email below.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010201/66SOL006.HTM (W-030 SN50C303)