Fungal Specimen Imaging

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared per the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations/offers are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation 12305B20RFP1712-- is being issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). Solicitation 12305B20RFP1712-- and the incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circulation FAC 2020-09, dated 08-27-2020 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) issues this Request for Quotes (RFP) for a firm fixed-price contract. The USDA, ARS Mycology and Nematology Genetic Diversity and Biology Laboratory (MNGDBL) located in Beltsville, MD requires imaging, optical character recognition and barcoding services for ongoing data entry application. MNGDBL seeks to have its fragile and irreplaceable fungal exsiccati collection imaged and specimen label data made available in a form which can be readily entered into its existing database complete with barcode stickers. The solicitation document, with the incorporated clauses and provisions, is issued in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Parts 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Commercial Items. Interested vendors should reference the solicitation documents for all terms and conditions, evaluation factors and submission requirements. Award will be Firm Fixed Price (FFP). The associated NAICS Code is 518210 Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services. The small business size standard is $35 Million. This requirement is a 100% small business set-aside This solicitation incorporates Wage Determination No 2015-4281 Source Selection The basis for award will be is Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). "LPTA" means the expected outcome of the acquisition that, results from selection of the lowest evaluated price (evaluated as total cost of all line items) technically acceptable quotation that fully meets all technical specifications in the attached PWS and past performance. Only the lowest priced quote will be evaluated for technical acceptability (to be based on the specifications). The next lowest offer will only be evaluated if the aforementioned quote is not found technically acceptable (and so on). Only one award will be made under this solicitation. Technically Acceptable means meeting or exceeding the requirements in the PWS as well as the following requirements: Past performance within last three years demonstrating experience handling material associated with preserved biological collections Must have the capability to bring personnel and equipment on site to BARC as the material is too fragile to leave our site and is also subject to regulatory restrictions In order to be considered for award OFFERORS SHALL SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING: (a) Submit documentation showing technical capability to meet or exceed Performance Elements and Benchmarks identified above. (b) Submit Firm Fixed Price price quotation and technical proposal 5 pages or less (c) Submit DUNS# with quotation. REJECTION OF QUOTATION: Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quote without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered. All questions regarding this announcement must be submitted in writing via email to john.wilkinson@usda.gov. Telephone requests for information will not be accepted or returned. The Government intends to post all notices/amendments related to this solicitation on government point of entry (GPE) Contract Opportunities at https://beta.sam.gov/. All interested firms must be registered on Contract Opportunities web site in order to obtain an Award/solicitation documents and all information regarding the solicitation. Hard copies of the solicitation will not be provided.