66 -- ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY TESTING SYSTEM

Notice Date

July 3, 2001

Contracting Office

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

ZIP Code

77840

Solicitation Number

6-6202-01

Response Due

July 25, 2001

Point of Contact

Gloria Lopez, Contracting Officer, 979-260-9336, Fax 979-260-9589

E-Mail Address

Click here to contact the contracting officer via (g0l7342@acs.tamu.edu)

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. In accordance with 36 CFR 1194 Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, all electronic and information technology (EIT) procured through this contract must meet the applicable accessibility standards. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is 6-6202-01 and is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 97 -- 19. The USDA, Agricultural Research Service request quotations for : 1. (1) each a Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing System. The antimicrobial susceptibility testing system is used for microbroth dilution tests to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations of antibiotics against bacteria. Specifications: (a) Autoinoculator: a microprocessor controlled instrument that automatically delivers inoculum to each well of a 96-well plate. The Autoinoculator must have a built-in nephelometer to standardize inoculum to specific optical densities. (b) Plate Reader: The reader is capable of visually measuring culture growth in wells of 96-well plates, and must interface with a computer database system for digital transfer of results. (c) Computer database system: The system will be controlled by a computer with the following minimum specifications: Pentium processor, 32 Mb of memory, 1 Gb hard drive, one 3.5" 1.44 Mb floppy drive, tape drive able to accept 1/4" cartridge DC6000 tapes, CD-ROM drive. Data management software that allows for statistical analysis of data received from the Plate Reader and for generation of customized or formatted reports must also be included. (d) Bids must include sufficient consumables for 500 susceptibility tests. Consumables include: NARMS custom MIC panel plates, Mueller-Hinton broth, demineralized water, doseheads, inoculating loops, substrate strips, and computer backup tapes. 2. The system must be compatible with Sensititre microtitre plates (TREK Diagnostics, Inc., Westlake, OH). These are standardized 96-well plates containing lyophilized antimicrobics in each well, and are used for antimicrobial susceptibility testing by laboratories that participate in the National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System. 3. Availability of a service contract and ready access to parts and labor. 4. Free Shipping, delivery, and installation. 5. Come equipped with a 12-month warranty that covers all parts and labor to repair malfunction or replace components. 6. These items shall be delivered to the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center, 2881 F&B Road, College Station, TX 77845. 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 and brochures shall also be provided for the product quoted. The Government is conducting this procurement using a trade-off approach, where technical capability of the product to perform the desired function and price will both be evaluated in making an award. For this solicitation price and technical are approximately equal factors, and the Government expressly reserves the right to award to other than lowest priced offer. The following FAR provisions apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1 "Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial", 52.212-2 "Evaluation Commercial Items", 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. 52.212-4 "Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items", 52.212-5 "Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items". Furnish quotations to Gloria Lopez, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, SPARC, 2881 F&B Road, College Station, Texas, 77845, no later than close of business July 25, 2001. Quotations my be provided by facsimile to (979) 260-9589 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the contracting officer at (979) 260-9336 (voice) or email below.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010706/66SOL010.HTM (W-184 SN50Q7M0)