Annual HVAC Maintenance

Questions on the updated SOW. Q1: Would the USDA please adjust the 2-hour response time to 4 hour Often techs are in the middle of whatever project they are working. In order to meet a two-hour repair, they would need to immediately stop what they are doing, pack truck and tools, and hit the road. We believe a 4-hour timeframe is a more reason expectation for all vendors. A1: The HVAC under discussion services our BSL-2/3 Biocontainment facility containing live insects from overseas. These are often rare and not easily replaced, in fact some are irreplaceable due to current geopolitical circumstances. The two hour window is to help prevent overheating of the BSL greenhouses that would thus endanger these insects. Previous vendors maintaining this equipment in past years have generally responded within two hours. It is possible we could extend to three (3) hours and be safe, but I think four hours would really be pushing the envelope too far. Q2: Would the USDA please put a limit on the refrigerant amount per year. We request a limit of one 24 pound R410A jug per year. The problem here is if the chiller has a rupture, the entire refrigerant charge is lost. This can become very expensive to cover and it is a major unknown each year to cover in the standard material budget. A2: The request for the equivalent of a 24 lb jug of refrigerant seems reasonable to me. This solicitation has been reopened because we noticed that the SOW did not clearly descriped part of the project. An updated SOW has been attached. This solicitation has been extended to facilitate time to incorporate Q&A's that were provided on 09/05/2023. Adding drawings. 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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12405B23Q0573 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-83. The associated NAICS code is 811310 (Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance) with a small business size standard of $12.5 Million. USDA, ARS, IPRL 3225 College Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314 Is looking for procurement of the Annual HVAC Maintenance that fits into the associated Statement of Work. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract. Each offer must show a breakdown giving price of each element, provide descriptive literature or information showing that the offered services meet all parts of the Statement of Work. Also, please provide past performance information. Vendors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote in accordance with FAR 52.212-1. Submission of quote shall include the following: (1) Technical Specifications and (2) Price (to include shipping). Site visit information is listed in the Statement of Work. Electronic submissions are preferred. Please email all quotes to contact@example.gov. NO LATE QUOTES WILL BE ACCEPTED. The basis for award is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable. "LPTA" means the expected outcome of the acquisition that result from selection of the technically acceptable proposal with the lowest evaluated price. Pursuant to FAR 52.212-2, the criteria for evaluation are: (1) Technical Specifications, (2) Price, and must also have satisfactory Past Performance. INSPECTON AND ACCEPTANCE TERMS: Supplies will be inspected by requiring office's technical representative and accepted at destination. The following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Department of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.202-1 Definitions; FAR 52.203-5 Covenant Against Contingent Fees; FAR 52.203-6 Restriction on Subcontractor Sales to the Government; FAR 52.203-7 Anti-Kickback Procedures; FAR 52.203-17 Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights and Requirement to Inform Employees of Whistleblower Rights; FAR 52.204-7 Central Contractor Registration; FAR 52.204-10 Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards; FAR 52.204-14 Service Contract Reporting Requirements; FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting; FAR 204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror; FAR 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting; AGAR 452.204-70 Inquiries; FAR 204-19 Incorporation by Reference of Representations and Certifications; FAR 52.209-6 Protecting the Government's Interests when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended or Proposed for Debarment; FAR 52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations; AGAR 452.209-71 Assurance Regarding Felony Conviction or Tax Delinquent Status for Corporate Applicants; FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offers-Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation- Commercial Items (filled in as follows: Technical specifications and price); FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes of Executive Orders-Commercial Items; FAR 52.216-24 Limitation of Government Liability; FAR 216.25 Contract Definitization; FAR 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside; FAR 52.219-28 Post Award Small Business Program Re-representation; AGAR 452.219-70 Size Standard and NAICS Code Information; FAR 52.222-3 Convict Labor; FAR 52.222-17 Non-displacement of Qualified Workers; FAR 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity Employment; FAR 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons; FAR 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging While Driving; FAR 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; FAR 52.225-25 Prohibitions on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or Transactions Relating to Iran-Reps and Certs; FAR 52.232-1 Payments; FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration; FAR 52.232-39 Unforceability of Unauthorized Obligations; FAR 52.233-2 Service of Protest; FAR 52.233-3 Protest After Award; FAR 52.233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of Contract; FAR 52.242-15 Stop-Work Order; FAR 52.243-FAR 52.244- 6 Subcontractors for Commercial Items; FAR 52.252-1 Solicitations Provisions Incorporated by Reference; FAR 52.243-1, Alternate 1, Changes - Fixed Price; FAR 52.243-4 Changes; FAR 52.249-2 Termination for Convenience of the Government (Fixed Price); 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). A contractor can contact SAM by calling +1 (555) 000-0000 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A UEI (Unique Entity ID) number is required in order to register. All invoices shall be submitted and paid electronically. Quotes must be received no later than September 6, 2023, 4:00pm Central Standard Time. Questions regarding this combined synopsis/solicitation are due no later than 3:00 PM CST on Friday September 1, 2023. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.