Federally-inspected Beef Processor

The USDA, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) is seeking a federally-inspected beef processor to participate in a study of long postmortem aging effects on tenderness, flavor, lean color, and color stability of beef top loin and top sirloin steaks. The company must regularly slaughter grain-fed beef and process carcasses into vacuum-packaged boxed beef. The experimental protocol requires obtaining the boneless top sirloin (NAMP 184) and strip loin (modified NAMP 180) from both sides of 50 U.S. Choice carcasses, with marbling scores from Small 00 to Small 40, and 50 U.S. Select carcasses, with marbling scores from Slight 50 to Slight 90. The packing company must utilize the VBG2000 beef grading camera for determination of marbling scores for USDA quality grading. The packing company must allow USMARC personnel access to their facility and provide sufficient space for product selection during carcass grading, product tagging before fabrication, and allow for cut tracking through fabrication. The packing company must have facilities for collection of cuts for immediate transport to the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center. The company must regularly process enough U.S. Choice and U.S. Select carcasses to facilitate the completion of cut selection and fabrication for 40 carcasses of each grade representing the aforementioned range of marbling scores in one day. To facilitate completion of the experiment, the plant must be located within 120 miles of Clay Center, Nebraska. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 (current as of FAC 2001-24), as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The NAICS is 311612. The Solicitation number AG6538S11AA40 is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The description of items and clauses incorporated in this synopsis/solicitation are applicable to this procurement and will be incorporated into any resultant purchase order. This acquisition is being conducted using commercial items best value basis. Evaluation criteria in no order of preference are price, quality, distance from USMARC, and past performance. The offer response date is scheduled for May 6, 2011. You may fax an offer to +1 (555) 000-0000 or email to contact@example.gov. The Government shall award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsive/responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government per FAR 13.106-2. CCR and ORCA: Vendor must be registered in the Central Contractor Register (CCR) and Online Representation and Certifications (ORCA) prior to the award of the contract. You may register by going to www.ccr.gov. You will need to your Tax ID, Duns Number, Bradstreet number and banking information. PAYMENT: Any award made under this solicitation is subject to 31 CFR Part 208 which requires all payments made by the government to be made by electronic funds transfer. Please note on your proposal if you will accept a government purchase (VISA) card. This solicitation incorporates the following FAR clauses, provisions and addendums: 52-212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Item; 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items - annual representations and certifications are required. Offers shall include a statement as follows on their offer: the offeror verifies by submission of this offer that the representations and certifications currently posted electronically at http://orca.bpn.gov have been entered or updated in the last 12 months, are current, accurate, complete, and applicable to this solicitation (including the business size standard applicable to the NAICS code referenced for this solicitation), as of the date of this offer and are incorporated in this offer by reference, except for paragraphs ______________; 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items; 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. In paragraph B of 52.212-5, the following apply: 52.219-28, 52.222-3, 52.222-19, 52.222-21, 52.222-26, 52.222-36, 52.223-15, 52.223-16, 52.225-3, 52.225-13, 52.225-33, 52.211-6. In the event the vendor will accept payment via the Government Purchase Card (VISA), the vendor shall annotate on its offer that it will accept the purchase card, and clause 52.232-33 will be superseded by clause 52.232-36.