The purpose of this modification #2 is to make changes and additions in the specifications, to change the shipping requirements, to extend the deadline for submission of offers, and to respond to Questions.1. The Specification for the Automated Microplate Washer is changed. The requirement for 16 channels is deleted. 2. Offers shall provide price for shipping equipment to USAID/CDC, American Embassy, Almaty, Kazakhstan (16 sets), and USAID/CDC, American Embassy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan (19 sets), quoted both for shipment via air freight, and via surface. Delivery is due within 90 days from the effective date of award. The equipment shall be consigned to the USAID/CDC, US Embassies in these countries. 3. Offers are due at 10 AM, Almaty time on October 6, 2003. 4. Questions and Answers: Question 1: The specification for the microplate washer calls for 8, 12 and 16 channel manifolds. Does this mean that you would like an 8, 12, and 16 channel manifolds (all 3) included with the proposal? Or simply that the washer should have the capability of using these 3 types of manifolds? Answer: The washer must be compatible with both 8 and 12 channel manifolds, and must include both. (16 channel capacity is not needed). Question 2: Under the pipette tip section, there is no mention of whether the tips are to be bulk (in a bag), box racked, box rack sterile or rack packs. What racking configuration is required? Box Racked 200ul and P2/P10 style tips come 960/unit traditionally to accommodate microtitre spacing, not 1000 per unit as is mentioned in the specification. 1000ul tips do come 1000 per unit in both bulk and box racks. It would be very inconvenient to use the multichannel pipettors mentioned in the solicitation with bagged bulk pipette tips. Answer: The tips should be bulk, and hence will be nonsterile (we had specified STERILE in the posting). While we realize that it may be less convenient to use the multichannel pipettors mentioned in the solicitation with bulk pipette tips, given the cost difference, the inconvenience is far outweighed by the cost savings. Question 3. In the RFP it mentions the option of a two step water system with RO or distillation on the front end and a cartridge based polishing system on the back end. Can you please clarify this? Is a two step system required (RO or distillation on the front end) or if another configuration will satisfy the requirements, would it be acceptable? Since it mentions the option of a two step system, would it be possible to offer two choices in water systems? One a classic two step and perhaps a second alternative, without being judged as not having properly responded to the solicitation? Answer: The two-step water purification process in the subject RFP was an example of one possible configuration. The water purification system proposed by the offeror must be capable of producing analytical grade ultrapure water, as stated in solicitation document. Offerors may propose alternative water purification systems, bearing in mind that price is the most important selection factor. Question 4. For the Cryovials mentioned in the RFP, is a silicone seal required? Answer: A silicone seal is NOT required for the cryovials. Question 5: Do the displays and printouts from the instruments have to be in Russian or is the requirement that just the manuals be in Russian. Answer: The displays and printouts do NOT need to be in Russian, as long as the Russian-language manuals show the English words which would be in displays, and explains the meaning in Russian. For example, if the display reads Error 6A, the manual should explain the meaning of Error 6A in Russian. Question 6: What is the speed range for the shaker/rotator in RPM? Answer: Orbital, variable speed, 100-1500 RPM. Question 7: Please advise what material the cylinders are to be made from - glass, plastic (what type, ie PMP, PP, PE, etc) and the error limits, graduation marks? Answer: (1) Cylinders; Polypropylene or Polymethylpentene; Graduated with 1.0 mL subdivisions; Error limit: < or = 1.0 mL. (2) Cylinders, 1000 ml; Polypropylene or Polymethylpentene; Graduated with 10.0 mL subdivisions; Error limit: < or = 6.0 mL Question 8: Please provide the specifications on the centrifuge tubes - conical, constructed of what material, graduated, sterile/nonsterile, etc? Answer: Conical leakproof polypropylene or polystyrene tubes, 15mL, clear or translucent, with polypropylene, polystyrene or polyethylene plug seal cap, nonsterile, graduation marks not necessary Question 9: Specifications for the item listed as CENTRIFUGES. At a minimum, we would need- RPM speed, fixed or variable speed, rotor type, number of places and number of tubes, size of tubes to be spun, timer and range, any other requirements. Answer: Centrifuge for Serum Separation, Speed range: 0-3200 rpm or greater; Maximum Relative Centrifugal Force: 1,212 x g or greater; Timer: at least 30 min in 5 min increments; Tubes accepted: 2-15 mL (or broader; tube holder adjusters must be supplied); Rotor: angled Question 10: Can you please indicate where we may find 22CFR228.51? Could you advise where we may find an explanation of the meaning of the following paragraph; or, could you offer an explanation, please? Origin (country of manufacture) of each product. The Authorized Geographic Codes for this contract are 000 (United States) and 110 (independent countries of the former Soviet Union). If a 000 or 110-origin product is not available, the offeror must provide an explanation and request a waiver in accordance with 22CFR228.51. The origin of the products we could offer differ from the codes 000 or 110. Could we still proceed with our products? Answer: 22CFR 228.51 may be found at the following link: http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_01/22cfr228_01.html It is a Federal Regulation that specifies administrative practice and procedures regarding Source, Origin and Nationality of USAID-financed commodities and services. For this solicitation, products manufactured in and shipped from countries in Geographic Codes 000 and 110 are being sought. However, if one of the required products is not manufactured in any of the authorized countries, then the offeror may propose a product manufactured elsewhere, with an explanation and request for a waiver of the geographic restriction. There is no prescribed format or form for a waiver request. For example, if there is no company in the United States or the independent countries of the former Soviet Union that manufactures an incubator that meets the solicitation's specifications, then an offeror may propose a product manufactured elsewhere. Geographic code 000 is defined as USA. Geographic Code 110 is defined as New Independent States - Collective for New Independent States of the former Soviet Union. Question 11. NAICS code is 541990. Does it mean that the company whose business status is not applicable to this code could not send their offers? Answer: The code is intended to describe the product or service, not the seller. Question 12: For some of the countries in question, standard freight delivery services will not deliver palletized goods to the US embassy. Since the bid calls for a delivery cost to the US embassy in each of the countries mentioned, is one able to quote the delivery cost to the airport only, if obvious carriers such as Federal Express will not deliver palletized goods directly to the embassy? Answer: 16 sets of equipment must be consigned to USAID/CDC, American Embassy, Almaty, Kazakhstan. 19 sets of equipment must be consigned to USAID/CDC, American Embassy, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Freight costs should include the cost of local delivery from the port of entry to a warehouse, exact location TBD, within Almaty and Tashkent. USAID will arrange for duty and tax-free customs clearance at ports of entry. Question 13: Is used equipment acceptable? Answer: No. [End of Modification]
