66--Portable Digital Microscope System - Answers to Questions

The purpose of this amendment 0001 to Request for Quote (RFQ) NTSB-Q-07-0048 is to post answers to questions submitted by prospective offerors. The following questions and answers are posted for utilization by all interested parties. Quotes are due no later than 4:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 via email to Bryan Moy at contact@example.gov. 1 - Regarding the initial quote to NTSB, do we reissue the same quote but with updated prices? There are a couple of items on the quote, which are not described in your solicitation. ANSWER - The offeror's initial estimate will not be a factor in award. As stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation, selection and award will be made to the lowest priced, technically acceptable offeror. Technical acceptability will be determined by review of the information submitted by the offeror, in response to the combined synopsis/solicitation, which must provide a description in sufficient detail to show that the product offered meets the Government's requirement. At a minimum, offerors are advised to submit a quote that addresses the entire requirement as stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation. 2 - After item 13, there is a note where the offeror must describe the usability & adaptability to meet Government's requirement. The initial quote was per NTSB request per my demo @ their location. What kind of description is needed here? Or will the line item quote be sufficient? ANSWER - A line item quote is not sufficient. The award decision is based on what an offeror provides in response to the combined synopsis/solicitation. Any information outside of this will not be a factor in award. Offeror's are advised to address in writing the government's entire requirement including the usability and adaptability of their proposed system as stated in the combined synopsis/solicitation. 3 - I tried researching the ORCA BPN website using our DUN # but was not able to access our info. Our DUN # was not on record. What website link should I try? ANSWER - The Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA) website can be found at the following address: https://orca.bpn.gov/login.aspx. 4 - This is new for me. I'm concerned about leaving out any required info. If something is missing, will there be time to correct any gaps? ANSWER - In accordance with FAR 52.215-1, Instructions to Offerors-Competitive, which was included by reference in the combined synopsis/solicitation, the NTSB intends to evaluate quotes and award a contract without discussions with offerors (except clarifications as described in FAR 15.306(a)). Therefore, the offeror's initial quote should contain the offeror's best effort in terms of cost, price and a technical standpoint. The Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if the Contracting Officer later determines them to be necessary. 5 - What does 0x magnification mean? At what working distance? ANSWER - Less than 1x -- infinite focus. 6 - Can you be more specific about the depth of field requirement? This also seems to be in conflict with the 3-D requirement. Great depth of field means that there is very little depth information in the image unless it is garnered from stereo pairs. Is that your intent? ANSWER - For normal (non 3-D) viewing, depth of field should be optimized for magnification without compromising resolution. The method of achieving 3-D viewing is not specified other than it requiring limited operator intervention (ease of use). 7 - It is unclear how you wish to achieve the 0x to 200x magnification. Is this supposed to be done with a single lens? If not are the lighting adapters required for all supplied lenses? ANSWER - Multiple zoom lens may be used, however, light adapters must fit all lens used for the range or be supplied for all lens. 8 - Rather than rotating the sample would a scheme that rotates the lens be acceptable as well? ANSWER - No. 9 - Is the 3-D reconstruction required over the 0x to 200x magnification range? ANSWER - No. 3-D reconstruction is required as much as possible in the 0x to 200x magnification range.