Request for quotation Continuaton _PILS System.docx

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6- STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS-AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. THIS SOLICITATION IS BEING ISSUED USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF FAR 13.5 SIMPLIFIED PROCEDURES FOR CERTAIN COMMERCIAL ITEMS.

The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2023-04 June 2, 2023 The solicitation number and a statement that the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). All communications and documents must include the proposed solicitation number 1333ND23QNB730445 The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516-Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 1,000 employees

BACKGROUND

The Fire Research Division (FRD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory provides measurements observed in fire and combustion experiments to enhance the standards and practice of the U.S. firefighting services and other fire-related organizations. The research conducted in FRD requires instrumentation that is utilized in various experiments that observe a wide range of compositions, including particulate matter generated from fires (i.e., soot). One of the tools to extract particulate matter from fires and plumes is a particle-into-liquid-sampler- system (PILS). The PILS’s ability to automatically collect particulate matter would provide a pathway to collect samples to be analyzed on advanced analytical equipment. A PILS with the listed specifications would significantly upgrade the division’s capabilities for performing composition analysis of soot in different fire experiments.

NIST requires a particle-into-liquid sampler system (PILS) that meets or exceeds the following draft minimum specifications:

1.1) The PILS shall be a bench-top design, weighing less than 30 lbs. Components and sub-systems that require power must operate between 110 V and 240 V, 60 Hz;

1.2) The PILS must have the capability to collect aerosols in a densely populated environment and either store them in a vial collection system or continuously feed them into an analytical technology (e.g., inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, ion chromatography system, or total organic analyzer);

1.3) The PILS hardware shall be new, not refurbished, and be supported by a single entity;

1.4) The PILS must be rack mountable to be secured in a 19-inch rack;

1.5) The PILS must include an auto-collection carousel subsystem capable of hosting at least 60 vials controlled via computer software;

1.6) The PILS must include an internal subsystem capable of completely removing interfering gasses from the incoming sample flow;

1.7) The PILS must be able to extract samples at a temperature of at least 40 Celsius, wherein upon entering the system particulate matter must be introduced to a supersaturated environment which generates droplets via jet impactor that are collected onto an impactor plate. The jet impactor but be able to maintain a flow of 12 liters per minute;

1.8) The PILS must include a mechanism to transport the collected droplets from the impactor plate to tubing, whereupon afterward, the remaining gas and liquid sample are separated;

1.9) The PILS must include a subsystem capable of supplying a wash flow to the impactor unit;

1.10) The PILS must include a vacuum pump that drives the incoming sample flow;

1.11) The PILS shall include a computer, monitor, instrument control, and operation software to perform simultaneous control and data acquisition of the PILS and all its accessories. The computer used for instrument control and data acquisition shall be a new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment, with a Microsoft Windows 11 operating system or better, two network interface cards, or more than two if the PILS’s subsystem communicates via IP addresses. The system shall include an i7 processor or faster, at least 8 Gb RAM, six or more USB ports, and a 1 Tb SSD, or greater. The computer system and monitor shall not consist of any refurbished materials. The computer must include software capable of controlling and communicating with all components of the PILS, executing all data acquisition, and performing quantitative and qualitative analysis.

CONTRACT LINE-ITEM NUMBERS (CLINs):

II. ADDENDUM TO FAR 52.212-1, INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS – COMMERCIAL ITEMS -- QUOTATION PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS A. Offerors shall clearly demonstrate their ability to meet the technical requirements and deliverable schedule as outlined in the associated solicitation.

B. ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION ONLY Please reference the Request for Quote (RFQ) number 1333ND23QNB730445 in the subject line of email communications. Offerors quotations shall not be deemed received by the Government until the quotation is entered in the Contract Specialist e-mail inbox: rene.edwards@nist.gov

SUBMITTAL REQUIREMENTS

a) Quotations must conform to solicitation provisions and be prepared in accordance with this section. To aid in evaluation, the quotation shall be clearly and concisely written as well as being neat, indexed (cross-indexed as appropriate) and logically assembled. All pages of each part shall be appropriately numbered and identified with the name of the offeror, the date, and the solicitation number.

b) All quotations are due no later than August 4, 2023 by 11:00 am EST.

c) All questions must be submitted in writing no later than July 29, 2023 by 9:00 am, EST to rene.edwards@nist.gov.

d) All quotations shall indicate the UEI number and CAGE code.

e) Please limit the quotation to no more than five (5) pages.

PRICE QUOTATION

Interested offerors, shall submit a Quotation which will be evaluated for price reasonableness. The offeror shall submit an electronic copy of the completed price quotation to the Contract Specialist. The price quotation shall be separate from any other portion of the quotation. The offeror shall propose a separate firm-fixed-price, FOB Destination, for each CLIN. Price quotations shall remain valid for a period of 45 calendar days from the date quotations are due. Contractor shall state express warranty coverage.

III. BASIS OF AWARD

The Government will award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose quotation is technically acceptable, lowest price.

An offers failure to quote all of the part numbers listed above may be considered indicative of the offerors lack of understanding of the Government’s requirements and may result in the offer being determined unacceptable.

Price - The Government will evaluate the offeror's proposed prices to determine whether the proposed prices comply with the instructions articulated above and are realistic, complete, and reasonable in relation to the solicitation requirements. Proposed prices shall be entirely compatible with the technical quotation. For evaluation purposes, the Government will evaluate the total price for all CLINS.

The Government does not intend to enter discussion and may award a task order on the basis of initial offers received, without discussions. Therefore, each initial quotation shall contain the offeror’s best terms. Nonetheless, the Government reserves the right to conduct discussions if it is in the best interest of the Government.

IV. TERMS AND CONDITIONS

The provision at 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See enclosed Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provision at 52.212-1 for additional specific paragraph(s) that are applicable to the acquisition by addendum included into this provision.

The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See enclosed FAR provision at 52.212-2 for specific evaluation criteria included that are applicable to the acquisition by addendum included into this provision. Offerors shall clearly demonstrate their ability to meet the technical requirements and deliverable schedule (period of performance) as outlined in the associated solicitation. Quote shall include all shipping costs.

The provision at 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The Offeror must have completed the annual representations and At electronically via the System for Award Management (SAM) Web site located at http://www.sam.gov/portal. If the Offeror has not completed the annual representations and certifications electronically, the Offeror shall complete only paragraphs (c) through (u) of the enclosed FAR provision at 52.212- Clauses at 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See enclosed FAR Clause at 52.212-4 for additional FAR clauses cited in the clause that are applicable to the acquisition.

Clauses at 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. See enclosed FAR Clause at 52.212-5 for additional FAR clauses cited in the clause that are applicable to the acquisition.

The following CAR provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition; full text is available at (https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2010/03/08/2010-4132/commerce-acquisition-regulation-car#h-372) CAR 1352.201-70, Contracting Officer’s Authority CAR 1352.209-73, Compliance with the Laws CAR 1352.209-74, Organizational Conflict of Interest CAR 1352.215-72, Inquires CAR 1352.233-70, Agency Protests

(a) An agency protest may be filed with either: (1) The contracting officer, or (2) at a level above the contracting officer, with the appropriate agency Protest Decision Authority. See 64 FR 16,651 (April 6, 1999).

(b) Agency protests filed with the Contracting Officer shall be sent to the following address:

NIST/ACQUISITION MANAGEMENT DIVISION

ATTN: Robert Singman, CONTRACTING OFFICER

(c) Agency protests filed with the agency Protest Decision Authority shall be sent to the following address:

(d) A complete copy of all agency protests, including all attachments, shall be served upon the Contract Law Division of the Office of the General Counsel within one day of filing a protest with either the Contracting Officer or the Protest Decision Authority.

(e) Service upon the Contract Law Division shall be made as follows:

1352.246-70 Place of acceptance Place of Acceptance (APR 2010) (a) The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will accept supplies and services to be provided under this contract.

(b) The place of acceptance will be:

NIST, 100 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20899 (End of clause)

NIST LOCAL-53 CONTRACT PERFORMANCE DURING CHANGES IN NIST OPERATING STATUS

Unless otherwise stated in the contract terms and conditions, normal days of business operation are Monday through Friday, excluding Federal Holidays. However, throughout the contract period of performance, there may be circumstances beyond the control of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), that will impact normal days of business operation, such as inclement weather, power outages, etc. In circumstances such as these, the Contractor must call the appropriate NIST campus status line to verify the operating status:

Gaithersburg Campus Operating Status Line: (301) 975-8000 (800) 437-4385 x8000 (toll free) Boulder Campus Operating Status Line: (303) 497-4000

During a lapse in appropriation, access to Government facilities and resources, including equipment and systems, will be limited to excepted personnel for both Federal employees and Contractor personnel. If performance of the contract is onsite and/or requires Government interaction, unless you have been, or are notified that you are to work under an excepted status, you will automatically enter a temporary work stoppage. The work stoppage shall remain in effect until the lapse is resolved and notification is provided via the NIST website at https://www.nist.gov/ and/or the NIST operating status lines. Additionally, Contractors are encouraged to monitor public broadcasts or the Office of Personnel Management’s website at www.opm.gov for the Federal Government operating status. NIST will provide notification to all contractors that are determined to have excepted status. All excepted contractors are required to continue performance and communicate with the appointed Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for further guidance, or NIST Contracting Officer if a COR is not appointed.

Contractors with supply or service contracts that are fully funded at the time of contract award and do not require access to Government facilities, resources, or active administration by Government personnel in a manner that would cause the government to incur additional obligations during the lapse in appropriation may continue performance.

NIST LOCAL-54 ELECTRONIC BILLING INSTRUCTIONS

NIST requires that Invoice/Voucher submissions are sent electronically via email to INVOICE@NIST.GOV. Each Invoice or Voucher submitted shall include the following:

(1) Contract number;

(2) Contractor name and address;

(3) Unique entity identifier (see www.sam.gov for the designated entity for establishing unique entity identifiers);

(4) Date of invoice;

(5) Invoice number;

(6) Amount of invoice and cumulative amount invoiced to-date;

(7) Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN);

(8) Description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and extended price of supplies/services delivered;

(9) Prompt payment discount terms, if offered; and

(10) Any other information or documentation required by the contract.