Commercial Item Combined Synopsis/ Solicitation: 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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is AG-81J8-S-14-00823 and is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). This solicitation is a small business set-aside. The NAICS code is 325120 Industrial Gas Manufacturing. The small business size standard is 1,000 employees. This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-76. The USDA, Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Pacific West Area (PWA) Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center in Maricopa, Arizona has requirement for weekly delivery of industrial gas. Commonly used products: Argon, Refrigerated Liquid Helium Compressed Helium Ultra High Purity Liquid Nitrogen Nitrogen Compressed Ultra High Purity Nitrogen Zero Compressed Air Helium Compressed Ultra High Purity Hydrogen Carbon Dioxide Hazmat Charge Other gaseous supplies made be requested. Delivery and acceptance of product will normally be made Monday through Friday, from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. The Contractor shall deliver subject gas weekly on a designated day of week. If designated day lands on a holiday, delivery of subject gas will be delivered the day before or day after the holiday. Delivery of subject gas is extremely time-sensitive and an essential piece utilized in government research. Contractor to set up three separate accounts. A mutual day of the week will be agreed upon between the contractor and the government for weekly delivery. Delivery driver must check in with receptionist each week. Delivery driver will meet designated employee in a designated area for dropping off and picking up empty cylinders and / or dewars. Please ensure your quote is valid until October 31, 2014. Rejection of Quotation: Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quote without further discussions. All responsible small business may submit an offer and will be considered. The following clauses and provisions apply to this acquisition. 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference; 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS; 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS applies, with the following clauses 52.209-10, Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations; 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.233-3, Protest after award, and 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside; 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Representation; 52.222-19, Child Labor - Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52.223-18, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving; 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management; 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party; applicable to this acquisition; 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference; 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS; 52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification; 52.223-4 Recovered Materials Certification; 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items ; 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS. Availability of Funds (APR 1984) Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government's obligation under this contract is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer. (End of clause) Delivery: FOB Destination. Deliver to USDA, Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Arid-Land Agricultural Research Center, 21881 North Cardon Lane, Maricopa, AZ 85138. Quote must include: Any delivery charge, emergency request charge, hazmat fees, daily or monthly cylinder and dewar rental. Evaluation Factors: Price of listed commonly used industrial gases, delivery and emergency charges, hazmat fees, contractor's delivery schedule, contractor's ability to meet the essential government requirements listed in this solicitation. Offerors will be evaluated on past performance for work on government contracts for similar requirements in the past three (3) years. Please provide a minimum of three references. Quotations submitted by Offerors will also be evaluated on best value in relation to pricing to the Government. Delivery Due Date: Each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their quotation. Payment: Payment will be made by government credit card monthly in arrears. 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. All sources wishing to furnish a quotation must respond by no later than 6:00 a.m. pacific standard time, September 17, 2014. Quotations are to be addressed to Sheri Eiri, Purchasing Agent at sheri.eiri@ars.usda.gov. All businesses wishing to conduct business with the US. Federal Government are required to obtain a DUNS number and register in SAMS (System for Award Management). The System for Award Management (SAM) is a Web-enabled government wide application that collects, validates, stores and disseminates business information about the federal government's trading partners in support of the contract award, grants and the electronic payment processes. https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/
