Instructions for Offerors G4-225004.docx

Inquiry No. 4-B176-Q-00765-00 September 17, 2024

INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS

A. General Information

Argonne National Laboratory is operated by the UChicago Argonne, LLC under Prime Contract with the U. S. Department of Energy. As contractor, UChicago Argonne, LLC is responsible for the management of Argonne and endeavors to ensure that Argonne effectively carries out the mission assigned to it by the sponsoring government agency. UChicago Argonne, LLC is a nonprofit, limited liability corporation.

B. Bidding Requirements

1. Content:

a) All quotations shall be responsive to the terms and conditions contained in this specification.

b) Any exceptions taken shall be detailed and refer to specific paragraphs of the technical requirements. The Laboratory reserves the right to accept minor deviations from the specifications attached.

2. The bid shall be firm for a period of at least sixty (60) days after the due date.

3. To be considered for an award the Department of Energy has mandated that all Offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM). The SAM is the Official U.S. Government system that consolidated the capabilities of CCR/FedReg, ORCA, and EPLS. There is no fee to register for this site.

4. Offeror is requested to furnish a published price list or line card of all available catalog items.

C. Prices

1. Firm Fixed Price, “F.O.B” Destination (Lemont, Illinois)” Proposals are requested. Contractor must be able to deliver oversized products directly to the required laboratory building (requires driver with REAL ID and U.S. Citizenship). If other than firm prices are quoted, conditions of escalation are to be stated.

2. Proposals shall be firm for a minimum period of sixty (60) days after the “due date” defined on page one (1) of the Request for Quotation, dated September 17, 2024.

3. Offeror is asked to propose the best pricing available to the Laboratory, including any type of government discounted pricing (GSA, ICPT, etc.). If applicable, the proposal should include full details.

D. Completion of Services

Offerors are requested to quote their earliest and most realistic delivery lead time for standard ordering with the knowledge that said delivery may be a prime factor in making an award.

E. Selection

In making final selection of a supplier, the Laboratory will consider such factors as price, delivery, demonstrated experience and capabilities, and other requirements of this solicitation. Execution of individual transactions (“calls”) after award is based upon pricing being competitive in the market at time of purchase.

It is anticipated that a Blanket Purchase Agreement will result from this solicitation with an estimated ceiling price. It is Argonne’s good faith estimate that we will utilize the estimated ceiling price worth of equipment; however, this estimated amount may fall short or exceed the actual amount ordered. The Contractor is not guaranteed any minimum dollar amount under the proposed blanket agreement.

F. Award

1. Argonne will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible bidder whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Laboratory, cost or price and other factors, specified elsewhere in this solicitation, considered.

2. Argonne may (a) reject any or all quotations, (b) accept other than the lowest quotation, and (c) waive informalities and minor irregularities in quotations received.

3. The Laboratory may award a contract on the basis of initial offers received, without discussions. Therefore, each initial quotation should contain the bidder's best terms from a cost or price and technical standpoint.

G. Submission of Offers

1. Proposals are due by 12:00 PM. (CDT) on the “due date” defined on page one (1) of the “Request for Quotation,” dated September 17, 2024.

2. Offers and modification thereof must be submitted by electronic mail (1) addressed to mmurtaugh@anl.gov , and the subject line must identify the Argonne solicitation number and the name of the offeror.

3. The following must be provided at the time of proposal and executed by a person authorized to legally bind the offer :

The following applicable documentation is attached hereto and made a part hereof:

1. Appendix “A” Argonne Terms and Conditions for Commercial Items, ANL-71-COM, dated 2/13/2023 (REVIEW)

2. Pre-Award Information and Representations and Certifications, ANL-70B, dated 04/12/2022 (SIGN AND RETURN) image1.jpeg