Amendment #1: The purpose of amendment #1 is to address specific questions/ concerns posed by prospective offeror(s). Regarding specification 1: Is the sample to be counted for 3000 seconds and the 6 uR/hr from a nuclide which interferes with the analyte? Should we presume the objective is to obtain the MDA in the shortest possible count time using the 3" minimum equivalent lead shield specified later? RESPONSE: The 6uR/hour is the environmental background gamma exposure rate from all sources in the NAREL counting room, and is primarily from primordial nuclides in building materials and underlying soil. The length of time that NAREL counts gamma backgrounds, 3000 minutes, was provided to permit estimation of the counting time required to achieve the specified MDA's. The presumption is partially correct, that the objective is to achieve the specified MDA's in the shortest possible counting time using the specified shield thickness, but only to the extent that the sample changer can accommodate the associated number of samples in 16 hours of unattended operation. The overall objective is to meet the specified MDAs, and to count as many samples as possible in 16 hours (the two back shifts, when no operators are present to load/unload samples.) Original Synopsis/Solicitation is below: 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. PROPOSALS ARE BEING REQUESTED AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED. The solicitation number is PR-NC-07-10548 and the solicitation is being issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-14. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 334519 applies, which has a size standard of 500 employees. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) anticipates that a firm-fixed price purchase order will be awarded as a result of full and open competition using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. EPA, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, requires the following: (1) High Purity Germanium (HPGE) detector with cooling system and electronics; (2) Shield and sample changer; and, (3) On site installation and training for item #2. Separate quotations are requested for item 1 (detector, electronics, and cooling system), item 2 (shield and sample changer), and for items 1 and 2 combined. Separate contracts may be awarded for items 1 and 2 if it is determined that this will provide the greatest value to the government. Offerors must review the complete specifications and requirements which are posted with the RFP on EPA's website: http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. Arrow down to the CURRENT SOLICITATIONS section and click on the solicitation. The following FAR provision applies to this solicitation: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, and 52.212-2, Evaluation--Commercial Items. Evaluation criteria to be included in paragraph (a) of provision 52.212-2 are as follows and as supplemented with additional information in the RFP: (1) technical performance, (2) past performance, and (3) price. See the RFP for complete evaluation details. To be considered responsible and responsive, all offerors are to include with their offer a completed copy of provision 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications--Commercial Items. Quotations shall include specifications and other such information corresponding to the requirement which demonstrates the capabilities of the equipment for meeting the requirement. Following is a partial list of FAR clauses which apply to this acquisition. See the solicitation for a complete list. 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 and the following additional FAR clauses which are cited in Clause 52.212-5: 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52.225-1, Buy American Act--Supplies; and 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration. Price and technical information should be submitted separately. The completed Representations and Certifications should be included with the price proposal. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered by the agency. Anticipated award date is on or before September 30, 2007. All technical questions should be e-mailed to the Contract Specialist at the following email address:
contact@example.gov by August 10, 2007. Offerors must review the Specifications and other information posted with the solicitation on EPA's website at the following address: http://www.epa.gov/oam/rtp_cmd. It will be your responsibility to frequently check the EPA website for any amendments. Offers must contain literature which includes the specifications of the brand you are quoting, offeror's commitment to the delivery schedule outlined in the RFP, company name, address, name of individual quoting, e-mail address, phone and fax numbers. Additionally, the delivery requirements are FOB destination and are to be delivered to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory; 540 South Morris Ave.; Montgomery, AL 36115-2601. Please submit two copies of the technical and two copies of the price proposals to Otelia Newsome, Contract Specialist, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, E105-02, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Courier delivery address is U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Attn: Otelia Newsome (PR-NC-07-10548), (E105-02), RTP Procurement Operations Division, 4930 Old Page Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27703. All offers are due by August 17, 2007, 2:00 p.m., local time. No telephonic or faxed requests will be honored. E-mail proposals are acceptable and should be e-mailed to:
contact@example.gov.
