Cryomicroscopic stage

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 12661218B0013 is issued as a request for

quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those

in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-73. The associated NAICS code is 334516.

This acquisition is for the following item as identified in the Contract Line Item Number (CLIN):

Cryomicroscopic stage that is bundled with a microscope for observing and

recording the response of organisms and chemical mixtures at temperatures

between -150 ºC to 200 ºC

• 
  
• Temperature range: We study glass transitions in cryoprotective agents, effects
  

of liquid nitrogen storage on organismal viability and the seasonal and treatment

effects of supercoiling points of the organisms. Therefore, we require a

crytostage that can achieve a minimum of -150 ºC using a liquid nitrogen cooling

system. The maximum temperature must be at least 75 ºC. Higher temperatures

up to 200 ºC would be useful but not a stringent requirement.

• 
  
• Stage: We require the sample holder to be not just optically transparent but also
  

be X-ray transparent for use in synchrotron and similar facilities that would permit

us to observe sample freezing while being X-rayed.

• 
  
• Imaging: The stage manufacturer must pair the cryostage with an optical
  

microscope capable of light and polarizing microscopy. The microscope requires

one long working distance objective (4x to 10 x).

• 
  
• Thermal rate: The rate of cooling and heating must range between 1 ºC/min to 150
  

ºC/min with a precision of 0.01 ºC/min and a hold precision of ±0.01 ºC. On stage

quenching system for vitrification is needed in addition to the above.

• 
  
• Temperature sensor: Our sample might be a whole organism (such as an insect
  

embryo or larva) and the ability to obtain the precise freezing / supercooling point is a

stringent requisite. Therefore, the sensor must register ±0.1 ºC or better.

• 
  
• Sample holder (material): Sample holder must be tolerant to rapid changes to
  

temperatures of 5000 ºC/min or better. In addition, it must be transparent for transmitted

light microscopy.

• 
  
• Sample holder (volume): Our sample volume will range from 0 cm3 to 0.5 cm3 of solids.
  

Therefore, the cryomicroscope must be capable of analyzing both micro and macro

volume samples.

• 
  
• Electrical: 115V, 60Hz or a suitable convertor/adaptor must be provided.
  

EVALUATION FACTORS

This is a Buy Best Value acquisition. The Government will award a Purchase Order

resulting from this Request for Quotes to the responsible offeror whose quote is

conforming to the solicitation and represents the most advantageous to the Government,

price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers:

EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD

1. Past Performance -

Quotes will be evaluated based on the offeor's past performance as provided by the

offerors references. Minimum of three references

2. Offeror's Technical Solution-

The Government will evaluate the performance of the offeror's product for capability and

performance.

3. Quality and Reliability-

Quotes will be evaluated on the offeror's product for its level of Quality and Reliability.

4. Price-

The quoted price is fair and reasonable.

NOTE:

All evaluation factors other than cost or price, when combined, are significantly more

important than cost or price. Factors and sub-factors are prioritized in the following

order of importance (i.e. most important first, least important last) for award evaluation 2,

3, 1, 4.

The Government will evaluate quotes for award purposes, considering the evaluation

factors above, and will award to that offeror whose proposal represents the best value to

the Government.

52.232-18 Availability of Funds.

Availability of Funds (Apr 1984)

Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government's obligation under this

contract is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for

contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any

payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract

and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the

Contracting Officer.

(End of Clause)

Inspection and Acceptance Terms:

Purchasing Agent at destination.

Representations:

Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items.

Applicable Provisions:

of Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (AGAR) provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition:

FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management: AGAR 452.204-70 Inquiries; FAR 52.209-6

Protecting the Government's Interests when Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred,

Suspended or Proposed for Debarment; FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offers-Commercial Items;

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation-Commercial Items (filled in as follows: Technical

specifications/support, and price); FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial

Items; FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes of

Executive Orders-Commercial Items; AGAR 452.219-70 Size Standard and NAICS Code

Information; 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 Employment; FAR 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities;

FAR 52.222-50 Combating Trafficking in Persons; FAR 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policy

to Ban Text Messaging While Driving; FAR 52.225-13 Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases;

FAR 52.225-25 Prohibitions on Contracting with Entities Engaging in Certain Activities or

Transactions Relating to Iran-Reps and Certs; FAR 52.232-33 Payment by Electronic Funds

Transfer-Central Contractor Registration; FAR 52.233-3 Protest After Award; FAR 52.233-4

Applicable Law for Breach of Contract; FAR 52.252-1 Solicitations Provisions Incorporated by

Reference; FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference.

Invoices must be submitted into the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). IPP is a government-wide

secure web-based payment information service offered free of charge to government agencies

and their suppliers by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Financial Management Service (FMS).

One-time enrollment in IPP means that you will receive a series of e-mails from Treasury

services. The first email will have the IPP Logon ID and link to the IPP application. A second email,

containing the password will be sent within 24 hours. Once you receive these emails,

please login to the IPP application and complete the registration process.

Benefits of registering with IPP include the ability for your company to create invoices directly

from a contract award and submit them electronically, as well as:

• 
  
• e-mail notification when invoice(s) are paid
  
• online payment history
  
• remittance download
  

The e-mail notification of payment is sent when a payment is distributed to your bank account

and will include all pertinent payment information.

The IPP Customer Support Desk is available to assist users Monday through Friday (excluding

bank holidays) from 8:00AM - 6:00PM ET, including answering any questions related to

accessing IPP or completing the registration process. Their toll-free number is 1-866-973-3131 2

or they can be reached at: IPPCustomerSupport@fms.treas.gov. If you have any questions or

concerns, please contact the Controller Operations Division Help Desk at: 1-877-243-3072 or

cod.help@usda.gov.

The successful vendor must be enrolled in IPP to submit invoices and receive payment. If the

successful vendor firm is already enrolled in IPP invoices are to be submitted under the vendors

existing IPP enrollment.

Clause 52.223-2 requires: The contractor shall report to the environmental point of contact,

with a copy to the Contracting Officer, on the product types and dollar value of any USDAdesignated

biobased products purchased by the contractor during the previous fiscal year. The

report must be submitted not later than October 31 of each year during contract performance

and at the end of contract performance. See list of attachments for categories of Biobased

products, this list and linked descriptions can be found at

http://cfr.regstoday.com/7CFR3201.aspx

The environmental point of contact is:

Ron Buckhalt

RonB.Buckhalt@dm.usda.gov

Phone: 202-205-4008

Energy Efficient Products

Energy policy acts of 1992, 2005, 2007 and Executive Order 13423 require the purchase of

energy efficient products--either those labeled "ENERGY STAR" or designated by the U.S.

Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP). The requirement applies

both to direct purchases and contracted services, including contracts for design, construction,

renovation, or maintenance of a public building. For contracted services, the contractor must

provide ENERGY STAR, FEMP qualified, or other energy efficient products.

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award

Management (SAM). A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at

www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A DUNS (Dun and Bradstreet) number is required in order to

register.

ALL BIDS ARE TO BE EMAILED TO CONNIE.FAULKNER@ARS.USDA.GOV

Please consider making quotes valid until 09/30/2018

The following Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the DepartmentPlease include a completed copy of the provision at 52.212-3, OfferorSupplies will be inspected and accepted by the End User /..