Light Scanner 96 Well System

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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation No. AG-5615-S-01-BB02 is being issued as a Request for Proposals (RFP). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-26. The NAICS code applicable to this acquisition is 334516. For a company to qualify as a small business, the small business standard is 500 employees or less. The USDA, ARS, MWA, Great Lakes Water Institute, Milwaukee, WI has a requirement/need for a Light Scanner 96 Well System. The High-Resolution Melt-Curve (HRM) analysis machine will be used for SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) detection and discovery in aquaculture finfish species. This equipment will support the ongoing efforts to genotype yellow perch brood stock progeny for growth and disease resistance studies/selection efforts. THE SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Light Scanner must meet or exceed these minimum requirements: 1) Instrument must be new or Mfr. Demo model/condition with full warranty. 2) Instrument must be able to perform high resolution melt analysis and be licensed for this purpose. 3) Must have minimum 96 well high-throughput format capable of simultaneous measurement of all wells. 4) Manufacturer must be able to provide compatible chemistry for single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping using high-res melt analysis. 5) Temperature-controlled block must have a temperature accuracy and uniformity of - 0.20 - C or less across the plate. 6) Ramping temperature should be precise and must be within 0.1 - C/sec. 7) Data acquisition must continuous and take less than 10 minutes per plate with a minimum of 96 data points per 0.1 oC. 8) Instrument must come with analytical software that enables the following: Detection of wild-type and mutant alleles, classify polymorphic alleles via HRM, data normalization, temperature-curve shifting, comprehensive assay design and development for mutation detection and SNP genotyping assays, and genotyping accuracy must be greater than 99%. 9) System must be controlled by an adjacent computer (with flat-panel monitor) equipped with Windows XP Pro SP2, 1 GB RAM memory, 2.4 GHz processor, 500 GB hard drive, and graphics card with at least 64 MB RAM. 10) System must be powered by 115V power cords (both HRM machine and computer). 11) System must be compatible with standard laboratory micro-well plate formats. 12) The vendor must be able to supply all necessary chemistry to perform Hi-Res melting. 13) Instrument must be provided with a warranty for a period of one year from the date of installation. Optional second and third year extended warranties (service agreements) should be listed on quote. 14) Installation and on-site training are required. DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE: Offerors shall submit 2 copies of the Descriptive Literature describing their proposed equipment in enough detail to ascertain whether the equipment meets the criteria listed above. REJECTION OF PROPOSAL: 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. The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and can be found in full text at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference are as follows: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; FAR52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items: FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (Provide with Proposal); FAR 52.214-21, Descriptive Literature (Provide with Proposal); FAR 52.204-7. Central Contractor Registration (ALL OFFERORS MUST BE REGISTERED IN THE CENTRAL CONTRACTOR REGISTRATION (CCR) DATABASE IN ORDER TO RECEIVE AN AWARD). The website address for registration is: http://www.ccr.gov; and FAR 52.222-22, Previous Compliance Report, FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference are as follows: FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items are applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.222-3, Convict Labor (E.O. 11755): FAR 52.222-19, Child Labor; 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans; 52.225-13, Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration (31 U.S.C. 3332); 52.232-36, Payment by Third Party (31 U.S.C.3332) and FAR 52.233, Protest After Award. The above FAR clauses may be viewed at http://www.acquisition.gov/comp/far/loadmainre.html. SHIPPING: FOB Destination. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN PROPOSAL: In order to be considered for award Offerors shall provide 1) a Quote on company letterhead detailing the item description, unit price and total price; 2) descriptive literature, brochures, information on service and support; 3) at least 3 to 5 references for the proposed equipment. References must have received the proposed equipment within the last three (3) calendar years (Government references preferred but will accept commercial references). References shall be provided for the product proposed and if possible include the email address of the person to be contacted; and 4) Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provisions FAR 52.212-3, OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS, with this offer; a copy of this provision may be obtained at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/loadmainre.html. DELIVERY TO: USDA-ARS Great Lakes Water Institute, Milwaukee, WI. PROPOSAL PRICE MUST INCLUDE: any freight or shipping, as well as any applicable duties, brokerage, or customs fees. DELIVERY DUE DATE: The Government requires delivery on or before August 15, 2010, however, each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their quote. 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. EVALUATION & AWARD FACTORS: The contract resulting from this solicitation will be awarded to the responsible party whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, is determined most advantageous to the government, cost, and other factors considered. Each Proposal shall respond to each of the evaluation factors identified below. With the exception of past performance, a technical evaluation will be performed on each quote based solely on the information furnished and not on previous knowledge or associations. The evaluation factors are as follows: (1) Technical Evaluation Factors: A) All quotes will be rated against the salient characteristics and minimum requirements. B) Delivery/Installation. C) Training. D) Warranty. The Offeror shall extend to the Government the full coverage of any standard commercial warranty normally offered in a similar commercial sale, provided such warranty is available at no additional cost to the Government. Acceptance of the standard commercial warranty does not waive the Government's rights under the inspection clause nor does it limit the Government's right with regard to the other terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. The contactor shall provide a copy of its standard commercial warranty (if applicable) with this response. Any amendment and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Internet site: http://www.fbo.gov. Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of those documents related to this procurement, if any. Furnish Proposals to Dolores Milton, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, Dairy Forage Research Center, Administration Office, 1925 Linden Drive West, Madison, WI 53706-1108, no later than 4:30 p.m. July 1, 2010. Proposals and other requested documents may be provided by facsimile to (608) 890-0048 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Contracting Officer at (608) 890-0045 or email dolores.milton@ars.usda.gov Subject: FBO Light Scanner System