66 -- Complete Slam Freeze System

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.This procurement is being conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures in accordance with FAR Part 13. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the November 2006 Federal Acquisition Regulation revision, which includes the consolidation of all Federal Acquisition Circulars through 2005-16. This acquisition is a small business set-aside and the NAICS code is 339112. This announcement constitutes the formal Request for Quotation (RFQ) and a written solicitation WILL NOT be issued. The National Institute of Deafness and Child Development (NIDCD) seeks the following equipment: "The equipment should consist of a complete slam freezing system, based on the rapid contact freezing methods , that can operate with either liquid nitrogen or liquid helium. It should have vacuum insulated supply lines and polished freezing copper bock and the entire system should be capable of producing vitrified biological samples up to 20 um depth. The sample holders should be of the proper dimensions that can be directly used for either freeze fracture or freeze substitution electron microscopy." . Evaluation Criteria is as follows: 1) The machine must be able to use liquid helium and freeze sample to liquid helium temperature. 2) The frozen samples should show vitrification up to 20 micrometers from their exposed surface. 3) the sample holders must feet directly into the conventional freeze-fracture sample holder. 4) The system must be capable of recycling in less than 2 minutes All responses from responsible sources will be considered. The contractor shall comply with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, executive orders, rules and regulations applicable to its performance under this order. Full text of clauses and provisions are available at Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR): http://www.arnet.gov/far/. The following clauses and provisions apply to this acquisition and may be obtained from the web site: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items (September 2006); FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items (January 1999); FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (November 2006) - with DUNS Number Addendum [52.204-6 (October 2003)]; FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items) (September 2005); FAR 52.212-4, Addendum to Clause for Year 2000 Compliance (July 1997); and FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items (November 2006). Inquiries regarding this procurement may be made to the Office of Acquisitions & Logistics Management (OALM) 6011 Executive Blvd. Rm. 529V Rockville, Maryland 20892, Attention: Lloyd Garnes, Contracting Officer, on (301) 402-3341. Email: garnesl@od.nih.gov (NOTE: please use this email address only)