Sap Flow Sensor Systems

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 12505B22Q0120 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-06. This solicitation is 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 is 6640. The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following products: 001) Sap Flow Sensor Systems Scope of Work: The USDA-ARS Global Change and Photosynthesis Research Unit (GCPRU) in Urbana, IL is requesting quotes for sap flow sensor systems as well as sensors and gages. Background: To measure sap flux through soybean plants to estimate canopy transpiration rate. Our objective is to quantify the role of transpiration in nutrient acquisition and study effects of predicted vapor pressure deficit changes. Leaf level photosynthesis can be measured with gas exchange sensors. This is useful for understanding how leaves individually respond to the environment but scaling from leaves to the entire canopy requires many assumptions and thus gives imprecise estimates. Sap flow sensors placed at the base of plants measure the total water flux through a single plant, and by measuring several plants in an area, canopy transpiration can be more precisely estimated. Technical Requirements: The equipment should be suitable for quantification of sap flux through stems of living soybean plants in an agricultural field. The equipment should provide measurements at least every 30 minutes. The equipment should work with Campbell data loggers and multiplexors. Six sets of sensors are required in order to measure fluxes at six locations. Each set must be able to measure at least five stems independently. The equipment must include software to transform voltages and currents from the sensor into sap flow rates. Each set of sensors with loggers must have power requirements that allow it to operate from a solar panel and lead acid battery. The sensor must not pierce the stem. Soybean stems are small and piercing them will substantially alter sap flux. The sensors must be able to measure stems with diameters between 4 to 11 mm. Since sensors have a limited range of diameters are which they operate, multiple sensors may be required to cover the entire range. Key Deliverables: Sap Flow Sensor Systems; Qty: 6 Units Sensors (5 mm; Weather Shielded); Qty: 32 Units Stem Gages (9 mm; Weather Shielded); Qty: 32 Units Delivery: Delivery is to be made to the USDA-ARS GCPRU located at 1201 West Gregory Drive, Room 197, Urbana, IL 61801 within 30 days of award. The vendor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard Urbana, IL and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract. Evaluation Factors: The basis for award will be Lowest Price, Technically acceptable. The Government intends to make a single firm-fixed price award based on the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) quote received. "LPTA" means the best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable quote with the lowest evaluated price. Pursuant to FAR 52.212-2, the criteria for evaluation are: (1) Price; (2) Technical Requirements. The lowest priced quote will be evaluated first; if NOT found acceptable, the next lowest priced quote will be evaluated, and so on until a technically acceptable quote is identified. The government will NOT review higher priced quotes if the lowest priced quote is determined to be technically acceptable. For quoted products to be considered technically acceptable, they must meet ALL of the technical requirements identified in this solicitation. Submitting a Quote: Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote in accordance with FAR 52.212-1. The applicable FAR clauses and provisions that apply to this acquisition are included with the attached quote submission form (SF1449). The Government anticipates award of one Firm Fixed Price Contract. 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 Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their UEI# on their quote. The submission and payment of invoices on the resulting contract will be made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). As such, contractors must be currently registered or register in IPP in order to be able to submit and receive payment on invoices for the resulting award. Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF1449 (see attached) and provide completed FAR clauses and provisions. The quoted price(s) should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. This will be a tax-exempt purchase. Failure to demonstrate compliance will constitute sufficient cause to reject a quote without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit a quote which will be put into considered for award. Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email (NO calls with questions will be accepted) and are due by NO later than 5:00 PM CT on Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation. No questions will be answered after this date unless determined to be in the best interest of the Government. Only electronic submissions made via email will be accepted (NO phone calls or quotes submitted by USPS mail will be accepted). Please email all quotes in writing on the SF1449 with completed FAR clauses and provisions to contact@example.gov by NO later than Monday, June 20, 2022 at 5:00 PM Central Time (CT). Note: Be absolutely certain to reference the RFQ number - 12505B22Q0120 and/or title of the solicitation - Sap Flow Sensor Systems in the subject, body, and/or attachments on your quote submission email to ensure your submission can be located and attributed to this solicitation. Failure to do so could potentially result in your submission being deemed - unresponsive and as a result your quote may NOT be put into consideration for award (as your quote may NOT be located when searching the recipients email to ensure all responses to the solicitation have been logged before making an award determination).