TEM MILL

DESCRIPTION: 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; quotes are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. This Solicitation No. FA8601-11-T-0253 is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-53. This is a small business set aside. The associated NAICS Code is 334516 SIZE STANDARD 500. The ASC/PKO Operational Contracting Division, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio intends to award a firm-fixed-price contract for the following requirement: An argon-ion mill is required to prepare samples for cross-sectional high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Since the unit will be used for preparing different materials of varying degree of hardness (soft to brittle), the unit should provide flexibility for operations at voltages in range 500 V - 5.0 kV. The ability to perform at 500V-1.0 kV is particularly important to reduce milling artifacts and amorphous layers on the sample. This specification for operating voltage: 500V - 5.5 kV should be available on a single ion gun rather than multiple guns with different operating voltage ranges. Specifically, the need to change ion guns for operation between different voltage ranges should be avoided, to prevent the need for realigning guns, ease of routine maintenance and time efficiency. The capability for extended-duration liquid-nitrogen cooling is important to prevent sample heating during milling. To optimize requirements for uniformity in sample thickness with effective milling rates and reduced milling damage the unit should provide adjustable milling angles in the range of 0 - 10 degrees. Extremely important for efficient and repeated production of high-quality samples is a requirement for unattended (automated) computer controlled operation, where key milling parameters and material dependent multi-step recipes can be programmed, continuously monitored, stored and recalled for future use. Computer controlled operation should also provide for automatic termination upon process completion or when programmed conditions (such as sample temperature) are not met for any reason. These specifications are imperative: Operating Voltage - 500V - 5 kV (at least) Milling Angle - Independently adjustable 0 - 10 degrees Extended Liquid Nitrogen Cooling Automatic Milling Termination Computer controlled operation Stereo Microscope for Specimen Viewing Quotations need to adhere to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors - Commercial; and include a completed FAR 52.212-3, Representations and Certifications. The Government's preferred method is Online Representations and Certifications. In addition the reps and cert in FAR 52.212-3 fill-in must be completed and returned with quote. This can be accomplished by registering in ORCA at https://orca.bpn.gov and completing the on-line Representations and Certifications. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: Technical Capability and Price. The quotations may be in any format but MUST include: 1) Proposing company's name, address, and phone 2) Point of contact's name, phone, and email 3) Quotation number & date 4) Item price 5) Total price 6) Shipping 7) Applicable discounts 8) Timeframe that the quote is valid 9) Delivery Schedule 10) Warranty Information (if applicable). 11) Completed FAR 52.212-3, Representations and Certifications Quotations MUST also contain a complete description of item offered to clearly show item meets or exceeds the requirements listed.. The Contracting Officer will review quotations based on the factors listed in this solicitation and the information furnished by the offeror. Before price is considered, the proposal must meet the technical capabilities. IMPORTANT NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS: All prospective awardees are required to register at the Central Contractor's Register (CCR) and to maintain active registration during the life of the contract. CCR can be accessed at https://www.bpn.gov. Any award resulting from this solicitation will include DFARS Clause 252.237-7003, Electronic Submission of Payment Requests. Section 1008 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2001 requires any claims for payment (invoices) under DoD contract to be submitted in electronic form. Wide area Workflow- Receipt and Acceptance (WAWF-RA) is the DoD system of choice for implementing this statutory requirement. Use of the basic system is at no cost to the contractor. Contractors must complete vendor training, which is also available at no cost at http://www.wawftraining.com. Prior to submitting invoices in the production system, contractors must register for an account at http://wawf.eb.mil/. It is the offeror's responsibility to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. Clauses and provisions in full text may be accessed via the Internet at website http://farsite.hill.af.mil. FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999) (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as "brand name or equal," the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government's needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that "equal" products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of "equal" products, including "equal" products of the brand name manufacturer, must- (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by- (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate "equal" products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an "equal" product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation The following provisions are incorporated by reference and apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors -- Commercial FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation Factors [the fill in portion of this clause is: technical and price] FAR 52.212-3, Representations and Certifications The following clauses are incorporated by reference and apply to this acquisition: 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. FAR 52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards FAR 52.209-6, Protecting the Government' Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment FAR 52.222-3,Convict Labor FAR 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity FAR 52.222.36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities FAR 52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act FAR 52.223-18, Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging while Driving FAR 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-Central Contractor Registration FAR 52.222-99, Notification of Employee Rights under the National Labor Relations Act (Deviation 2010-O0013)(Jun 2010) DFARS 252.212-7001, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders-Commercial Items. The clauses that are check marked as being applicable to this purchase are: DFARS 252.203-7000, Requirements Relating to Compensation of Former DoD Officials DFARS 252.225-7001, Buy American Act and Balance of Payments Program DFARS 252/225-7036. Buy American Act-Free Trade Agreements-Balance of Payments Program DFARs 252.232-7003 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests ASC/PKO G-001, Wide Area Work Flow Electronic Invoicing Instructions ASC/PKO H-002, Delivery Procedures Commercial Vehicles All Quotations and responses must be received no later than 5:00 PM, Eastern Standard Time on 17 AUG 2011. Submittal of quotes in response to this RFQ constitutes agreement by the offeror of all terms & conditions contained herein, which will also be the terms & conditions of resulting contract. Please fax to 937-656-1412 or email to sherry.dahm@wpafb.af.mil. Any questions should be directed to Sherry Dahm at (937)522-4580.