Portable Photosynthesis Instrument with Fluorometer

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation 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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation number 12505B21Q0162 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-07. This solicitation will be a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 500 employees and the PSC code is 6630. The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following products: 001) Portable Photosynthesis Instrument with Fluorometer Scope of Work: The USDA-ARS Dairy Forage Research Center in Madison, WI is requesting quotes for a portable, field-rugged photosynthesis system with fluorometer, including instrument training, shipping, and 2-year warranty extension. Background: Scientists and personnel at the US Dairy Forage Research Center have identified the need for a field-rugged, portable photosynthesis system with fluorometer that is capable of measurement of both fluorescence and photosynthetic gas exchange to inform comparisons of gross and net primary productivity and water use efficiency among varied crop types and plant communities. Research programs at the US Dairy Forage Research Center are interdisciplinary, and include assessment of the economic and environmental performance of crop-dairy livestock systems. A portable photosynthetic system will advance carbon sequestration and productivity research exploring aspirational land management and novel cropping system rotations at Prairie du Sac research station, and inform comparisons of production outcomes and ecosystem services generated at plot, field, and farm scales. Technical Requirements: Specifications General Vendor must be able to demonstrate expertise in developing research-grade photosynthetic gas exchange technology and instrument training opportunities. Portable photosynthesis system with multiphase fluorometer System must be lightweight (<15lbs), including battery, for field applications System must be weather proof for field applications System must allow for simultaneous measurement of photosynthetic gas exchange and fluorescence Quote must include three batteries and an external battery charger Quote must include a durable carrying case Quote must include line item for a durable system carrying case (for transport between sites, and storage) Quote must include a training session for employees who will use the equipment Quote must include parts as necessary to operate the instrument in the field Quote must include a 2-year warranty extension option Contractor's Key Personnel: Vendors must have an established record of providing instruments for measurement of photosynthetic gas exchange and fluorescence and calibration for research (e.g., record of sales to university and government research scientists). Data Rights: Procurement is for the hardware required for acquisition of photosynthetic gas exchange and fluorescence data at field sites associated with the US Dairy Forage Research Center's research programs. Companies that sell instruments that do not provide access to the raw data to the USDFRC scientists will not be considered for the procurement. Any software required for operation of the instrument will be purchased separately, through our IT professionals. Evaluation Factors: Lowest price, technically acceptable. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price award based on the lowest price technically acceptable product. The lowest priced product will be evaluated first; if not found acceptable, the next lowest priced product will be evaluated, and so on until an acceptable product is identified. The government will not review higher priced products if the lowest priced product is determined to be technically acceptable. For a vendor's products to be considered technically acceptable, they must meet all of the technical requirements identified in the solicitation. Key Deliverables: Portable Photosynthesis System Fluorometer Delivery Training 2-Year Warranty Extension Delivery: Delivery is to be made to the USDA-ARS DFRC located at 1925 Linden Drive West, Madison, WI 53706 by or before November 1, 2021. The vendor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard USDA-ARS Madison, WI and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract. Submitting a Quote: To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A contractor can contact SAM by calling +1 (555) 000-0000 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their DUNS# on their quote. Also, to be eligible, all vendors must be NDAA 889 Certified. If they do not currently have a NDAA 889 Certification, then they must complete the attached NDAA 889 Certification form and submit it to contact@example.gov so that they can be added to the list of NDAA 889 Certified vendors. The submission and payment of invoices on the resulting contract will be made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). As such, vendors must be currently registered or register in IPP in order to be able to submit and receive payment on invoices for the resulting contract. Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF 1449 (see attached). The quote should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. This will be a tax-exempt purchase. Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please email all quotes in writing on the SF 1449 to contact@example.gov by no later than Thursday, September 23, 2021 at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time. Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email and are due no later than 12:00 PM CST on Monday, September 20, 2021. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.