Annual software license and device warranty for 2 GridION sequencing instruments

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial goods and commercial services 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. The solicitation number is 12405B24Q0041 and is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ). The NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Equipment Manufacturing. This solicitation document incorporates those provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2024-01. 

The USDA, ARS, in Stoneville, MS has a new requirement for:

Annual software license and device warranty for 2 GridION sequencing instruments (Device ID GXB02086 and GXB02012). Includes software updates as available and maintenance for instrument malfunction (cat# SLDW12M-G).  All updates and maintenance must be performed by certified Oxford Nanopore technicians as not to void any manufacturer warranties.

This will be a Base + 4 option year contract, with tentative dates of:

Base Year: 12/21/23 to 12/20/24

Option Year 1: 12/21/24 to 12/20/25

Option Year 2: 12/21/25 to 12/20/26

Option Year 3: 12/21/26 to 12/20/27

Option Year 4: 12/21/27 to 12/20/28

Any quotes not meeting the minimum specifications, or not providing a yearly price for each option year, will not be considered. 

Please ensure all email correspondence includes the solicitation number in the subject line.  Emails without the RFQ number in the subject line may not be seen, read, and /or reviewed and therefore disqualified from consideration.

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN QUOTE: In order to be considered for award Offerors shall provide 1) a Quote on company letterhead, to include: vendor’s SAM.gov UEI number, detailed item description, unit price per item, proof of certification to work on and provide software updates on Oxford Nanopore instruments, total price to include shipping, and valid for at least 60 days after receipt of quote.

REJECTION OF QUOTATION: Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quote without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit an offer and will be considered.

The following clauses and provisions apply to this acquisition. 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference; 52.212-4 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS - COMMERCIAL GOODS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES; 52.212-5 CONTRACT TERMS AND CONDITIONS REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT STATUTES OR EXECUTIVE ORDERS - COMMERCIAL GOODS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES applies,; 52.222-3, Convict Labor; 52.233-3, Protest after award; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans; 52.222-19, Child Labor - Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies; 52.223-2 Affirmative Procurement of Biobased Products Under Service and Construction Contracts; 52.223-15 Energy Efficiency in Energy-Consuming Products; 52.223-17 Affirmative Procurement of EPA-designated Items in Service and Construction Contracts; 52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - System for Award Management; applicable to this acquisition; 52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference; 52.212-1 INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFERORS - COMMERCIAL GOODS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES; 52.223-1 Biobased Product Certification; 52.223-4 Recovered Materials Certification; 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services ; 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS - COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS AND COMMERCIAL SERVICES; 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services.

AGAR Clauses

452.211-70 Brand Name or Equal.

425.211-71 Equal Products Offered.

452.204-70 Modification for Contract Closeout

As prescribed in USDA’s Contracting Desk Book 404.804 and 413.302-5, insert the following clause:

MODIFICATION FOR CONTRACT CLOSEOUT (DEVIATION JULY 2022)

“Upon contract closeout for contracts utilizing Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) according to FAR part 13,

(a) If unobligated funds in the amount of $1000 or less remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer (CO) shall issue a unilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification but will not be required to provide a signature. The CO shall immediately proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.

(b) If unobligated funds of more than $1000 remain on the contract, the CO shall issue a bilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification and will be required to provide a signature. (The CO may also request a Release of Claims be completed by the contractor, although not required for contract and orders using SAP.) If the bilateral modification and Release of Claims are not returned to the CO within 60 days, the CO shall release the modification as unilateral and proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.”

(End of clause)

QUOTED PRICE MUST INCLUDE: any delivery costs as well as any applicable duties, brokerage, or customs fees. 

DELIVERY DUE DATE: The Government requires delivery on or before 30 ARO, however, each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their quotation.

PAYMENT: Any award made under this solicitation is subject to 31 CFR Part 208 which requires all payments made by the government to be made by electronic funds transfer. 

Contractors intending to conduct business with the Federal Government MUST register with the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to submitting quotation. You may register online at www.sam.gov. Any amendment and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Internet site: http://www.SAM.gov.

FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services, the significant evaluation factors, in the relative order of importance, are (i) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement including delivery date; (ii) past performance; and (iii) price, based on F.O.B. Destination. Award will be made based on overall BEST VALUE to the Government.

The government anticipates award of a firm fixed priced contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforms to the specifications that will be the most advantageous to the government in accordance with FAR 13.106-2. Responses shall include technical specifications, descriptive material and capabilities of the offeror’s equipment. Offerors shall identity where the offered item meets or does not meet each of the Government's functional and performance minimum specifications listed herein.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS RFQ ARE DUE TO RICHARD HAWTHORNE at Richard.hawthorne@usda.gov, NO LATER THAN 1:00 p. m. ET, December 19, 2023. Questions will only be accepted via email and WILL NOT be answered if received after this date/time.

QUOTES REGARDING THIS RFQ ARE DUE TO RICHARD HAWTHORNE at Richard.hawthorne@usda.gov , NO LATER THAN 5:00 p. m. ET, December 20, 2023.

Place of Performance:

USDA-ARS
141 Experiment Station Road

Stoneville, MS 38776

Primary Point of Contact:

Richard Hawthorne

Purchasing Agent

richard.hawthorne@usda.gov.