This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (CSS) 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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The solicitation number is HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-RFQ-75N95019R00010 and the solicitation is being issued as a request for proposals (RFP). This acquisition is for commercial items and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13-Simplified Acquisition Procedures; FAR Subpart 13.5- Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items; and FAR Part 12-Acquisition of Commercial Items, and is expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-101, dated October 2018. The associated NAICS code for this requirement is 311119 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This requirement is being solicited as full and open with no set-aside restrictions. Background: The NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. The IRP of the NIA provides a stimulating setting for a comprehensive effort to understand aging through multidisciplinary investigator-initiated research. The NIA IRP animal research colony consists of an average daily population of over 18,000 rodents (mice, rats). These animals are used to further the mission of aging related studies at NIA. Purpose and Objectives: The primary objective is to provide the NIA Intramural Research Program (IRP) with high quality feed and bedding. The feed and bedding will provide nutritional and environmental support to the animal research colony at NIA. Project requirements: General Requirements: The contractor shall provide animal feed and bedding for the NIA IRP animal colony. The contractor shall provide the feed and bedding products within 72 hours of order. The NIA will order feed and bedding approximately every two weeks, quantities will vary depending on the population of the animal colony. Specific Requirements: 1. Feed and Bedding should be delivered on plastic pallets. 2. Feed and bedding deliveries must be delivered within 72 hours of PO receipt, government must be contacted immediately if order delivery is delayed for any reason. 3. Deliveries can only be made between 7AM to 2PM, Monday through Friday. Orders will not be received on Holidays. NOTE: In the case of a government shutdown, deliveries will need to continue as animal care is exempt from the shutdown status. 4. Bags of feed and bedding must not be wet, torn or breeched in any manner upon delivery to the NIA. 5. All feed must have a "mill date" (expiration date) no less than three months out from date of PO receipt. Place of Performance: The National Institute on Aging 251 Bayview Blvd Baltimore, MD 21224 Anticipated period of performance: It is anticipated that a contract with a 12-month base year and four 12-month option periods will be awarded on or about 1/1/2019. Government Responsibilities: The following FAR provisions shall apply to this solicitation: 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items, 52.212-2, Evaluation--Commercial Items. Evaluation factors that will be used to evaluate the offer most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered, include ability to meet the technical requirements stated in this CSS and on basis of best value to the government. Technical and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than cost or price. Offerors must include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items, with their offer. The Clause at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition and the Clause at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items applies to this acquisition. Pricing: Quotes should provide a complete list of available feed and bedding items and specify the price per bag for the base year and each option year. Options: The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s). A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer's specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award. There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement. Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties' bona-fide capabilities of providing the product or service. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s); product description; and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: past performance; special features required for effective program performance; trade-in considerations; probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item; warranty considerations; maintenance availability; and environmental and energy efficiency considerations. In addition, the Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS), the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov." All responses must be received by December 19, 2018 at 4:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) and must reference solicitation number HHS-NIH-NIDA(AG)-RFQ-75N95019R00010. Responses may be submitted electronically to Eric McKay,
contact@example.gov. Fax responses will not be accepted.
