87 -- Pollination Cages

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. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation No. 5114-5-0028 is being issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-04. The NAICS code applicable to this acquisition is 314912. For a company to qualify as a small business, the small business standard is 500 employees. This is a total small business set-aside. The USDA, ARS, MWA, North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station, Ames, IA has a requirement/need for 187 pollination cages. THE SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS: the pollination cages must meet or exceed these minimum requirements: (1) Size must be 7 ft x 7 ft x 20 ft. (2) The screen must be a "fitted" style with flap and with a 60 inch brass zipper on each end. (3) Zippers must be installed so that when the zipper is closed the zipper pull is at the bottom. (4) Zipper must start 4 inches below the top of the screen. (5) Screen dimensions must match the drawing provided with minimal adjustment by the vendor to allow for normal shrinkage. (6) Screen material and flaps shall be 14 x 18 mesh amber color. (7) All corners must be reinforced with vinyl. (8) Frames must be constructed of 1 3/8 inch OD galvanized steel round pipe with .065 inch wall thickness. (9) Fittings must be 1 1/2 inch OD galvanized steel with .065 inch wall thickness. (10) Frame dimension must match those on the attached drawing. DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE: Offerors shall submit 2 copies of the Descriptive Literature describing their proposed equipment in enough detail to ascertain whether the equipment meets the criteria listed above. REJECTION OF PROPOSAL: Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the proposal without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered. The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and can be found in full text at http://www.arnet.gov/far/loadmainre.html. FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference are as follows: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (Provide with Proposal); FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal; FAR 52.214-21, Descriptive Literature (Provide with Proposal); FAR 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration (All Offerors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) Database in order to receive an award. The website address for registration is: http://www.ccr.gov); and FAR 52.222-22, Previous Compliance Report. FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference; FAR 52.212 4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items are applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.222-3, Convict Labor (E.O. 11755); FAR 52.222-19, Child Labor; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans; 52.225-13, Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration (31 U.S.C. 3332); 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (31 U.S.C. 3332) and FAR 52.233, Protest After Award. The above FAR clauses may be viewed at http://www.ARNet.gov/far/loadmainere.html. SHIPPING: FOB Destination. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN PROPOSAL: In order to be considered for award Offerors shall provide 1) a Proposal on company letterhead detailing the item description, unit price, and extended price; 2) descriptive literature, brochures; 3) at least 3 to 5 references for the proposed equipment. References must have received the proposed equipment within the last three (3) calendar years (Government references preferred but will accept commercial references). References shall be provided for the product proposed and if possible include the email address of the person to be contacted; and 4) Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provisions FAR 52.212-3, OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS, with this offer; a copy of this provision may be obtained at http://www.acqnet.gov/far/loadmainre.html. DELIVERY TO: USDA-ARS, MWA, NCRPIS, Ames, IA. PROPOSAL PRICE MUST INCLUDE any freight or shipping, as well as any applicable duties, brokerage, or customs fees. DELIVERY DATE DUE: The Government requires delivery on or before 90 days after award, however, each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their proposal. FAR 52.212.-2 EVALUATION - COMMERCIAL ITEM, the significant evaluation factors, in the relative order of importance, are (i) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement including delivery date; (ii) past performance; and (iii) price (based on F.O.B. Destination), technical and past performance are more important than price. Award will be made based on overall BEST VALUE to the Government. EVALUATION & AWARD FACTORS - The contract resulting from this solicitation will be awarded to the responsible party whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, is determined most advantageous to the government, cost, and other factors considered. Each Proposal shall respond to each of the evaluation factors identified below. With the exception of past performance, a technical evaluation will be performed on each proposal based solely on the information furnished and not on previous knowledge or associations. The evaluation factors are as follows: (1) Technical Evaluation Factors: A) All proposals will be rated against the salient characteristics and minimum requirements. B) Delivery. C) Warranty. The Offeror shall extend to the Government the full coverage of any standard commercial warranty normally offered in a similar commercial sale, provided such warranty is available at no additional cost to the Government. Acceptance of the standard commercial warranty does not waive the Government's rights under the Inspection clause nor does it limit the Government's right with regard to the other terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. The contractor shall provide a copy of its standard commercial warranty (if applicable) with this response. Any amendment and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Internet site: http://www.eps.gov. Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of those documents related to this procurement. Furnish Proposals to Rebecca Holzinger, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, MWA, Contracting Office, 1815 N. University Street, Peoria, IL 61604, no later than 2:00 p.m., August 4, 2005. Proposals and other requested documents may be provided by facsimile to +1 (555) 000-0000 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Contracting Officer at +1 (555) 000-0000 or email below.