Ultra Low Temperature Freezers

Added: Nov 21, 2017 1:54 pm 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 is a Request for Quote (RFQ) and the solicitation number is 36C24E18Q0020. This listing supersedes the previously posted 36C24E18Q0011 in order to change the type of set aside. The government anticipates awarding a firm-fixed price contract resulting from this combined synopsis/solicitation, issued as a 100% set aside for small business concerns. It is the responsibility of the contractor to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at www.acquisition.gov.



STATEMENT OF NEED (SON)



CONTRACT DESCRIPTION AND REQUIREMENTS

The Minneapolis VA Medical Center has a requirement to purchase 25 NuAire Upright -86°C Ultralow Freezer to replace the current models reaching end-of-life in the research laboratory. A firm-fixed price contract will be awarded for the purchase of Brand Name or Equal equipment in accordance with all terms, conditions, provisions, specifications and schedule of this solicitation herein. Quotes shall contain the Offeror s best terms for cost/price and technical capabilities of the required NuAire, Inc., or equivalent equipment. The government reserves the right to award without discussions.



1.1 PRICING

The Offeror shall submit price quotes for the required brand name or equal equipment, to the specifications listed in Section 1.2 below. Please enclose the established price list and description of capabilities and product specifications for the required equipment. The Offeror shall submit a separate price sheet for equal items to include Manufacturer Name, Stock/Part #, Unit of Issue and Price. Items offered that are brand name or equal shall identify items as being on GSA schedule and reference the contract number for each item.

Note: The Offeror should include a description of any support services or warranty information in the technical quote.



1.2 REQUIRED PRODUCTS & SPECIFICATIONS

25 NuAire Upright -86°C Ultralow Freezers, brand name or equal equipment to replace the current models reaching end-of-life:





ITEM INFORMATION

ITEM NUMBER

DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES

QUANTITY

UNIT

0001

UPRIGHT -86C ULTRALOW FREEZER

LOCAL STOCK NUMBER: NU-9728GA

25.00

EA

0002

FIXED INVENTORY RACK FOR 24X2" BOXES

40.00

EA

0003

FREIGHT TO DOCK

1.00

EA











1.3 Product Capabilities & Salient Characteristics or equal

The investigator will be utilizing the above named item in continuing support of on-going research.

Product Description:

Interior Volume 25.7ft(3) (728L)



Exterior Dimensions under 40x35x78.5 (additional space can be added for hinges/latch (66mm) and electrical box (64mm)



Floor level condenser



Cascade cooling system (which is a Panasonic trademark but included in more than one model/manufacturer)

Door gasket seals and insulation

Multiple (2+) inner doors, air insulated, to avoid exposure of multiple shelves to ambient when freezer opened

LATCHING inner doors, so that opening one does not incidentally open adjacent doors

Dual compressor

Vacuum insulation (prevents icing which can jam doors)

Temp pulldown (re-cooling after door opens) - must be fast to avoid temperature variance of samples

Temperature variance must be very tight under normal conditions (e.g. stable temp when closed - 5% temp variance)

Low noise level (will be lots in rooms safety concern w/ respect to volume) - 48 dba operating noise level

115v so we can use standard outlets (avoids cost of wiring a lot of special outlets especially for those on backup supply)

Environmentally safe / ozone safe refrigerants (GEMS requirement)

Microprocessor based digital temperature set point system with lockout capacity to avoid accidental reset of temperature by users

CFC-free foam insulation (5 inches minimum or 127mm)

User-facing issues:

One-hand operation door latch

Eye-level controls

Ground level compressor (ease of repair / ease of access as shelves are not at foot level)

Keyed door lock for sample security (some models feature a spot to put a padlock, we need integrated locks if used for PHI/PII samples)



Ideally shelf dimensions/spacing must be compatible with existing models so that transfers can be made without re-racking in case of failure.



The product capabilities and salient characteristics identified above by a brand name or equal" description are intended to be descriptive, not restrictive, and to indicate the quality and characteristics of the product that will be satisfactory. Quotes offering "equal" products (including products of the brand name manufacturer other than the one described by the brand name) will be considered if such product is clearly identified in the quote and is determined by the VA to meet fully the salient characteristics on above products. If offering an equivalent product, the brand name of the equivalent product shall be clearly identified in the quote. Unless visibly identified as an equivalent product, offered items shall be considered as the brand name product referenced in this announcement.



The evaluation of quotes and the determination as to the equality of the products shall be the responsibility of the Government and shall be based on information provided by the Offeror. The Government is not responsible for locating or securing any information not provided in the quotation by the Offeror. To ensure that sufficient information is available, the Offeror must furnish, as a part of the quote, all descriptive material necessary for the purchasing activity to determine whether the products meet the salient characteristics of this requirement. Vendors proposing to modify a product to make it conform to the requirements of this announcement shall include a clear description of the proposed modification and clearly mark any descriptive material to show the proposed modification. Offers that do not have descriptive material will not be considered for award.



Instructions to the Offeror

Basis for award resulting from this RFQ will made to the Best Value Offer that provides a complete package pursuant to the preparation requirements set forth in 52.212-1. FAR 52.212-2 (Evaluation- Commercial Items) will be incorporated in full text into the RFQ and will be evaluated on the following factors. Evaluations will be in accordance with FAR 13 Simplified procedures.



Evaluation Factors for Award:

Factor 1 - Technical Capabilities

All offerors must meet or exceed all requirements and salient features as listed in the Statement of Need.

Factor 2 - Past Performance - Past Performance will be based on the most current PPIPRS

Report.

Factor 3 Price



The following FAR provision and clauses apply to this solicitation and are incorporated by reference. The solicitation document, incorporated provision and clauses are those in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-89, Effective July 2, 2015. It is the responsibility of the contractor to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at www.acquistion.gov. This contract incorporates one or more clauses by reference, with the same force and effect as if they were given in full text. Upon request, the Contracting Officer will make their full text available.



FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation- Commercial Items

FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications

FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions

FAR 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Item

FAR 52.219-6 Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2011)

FAR 52.219-8 Utilization of Small Business Concerns (Oct 2014)

FAR 52.233-3 Protest After Award (Aug 1996)

FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal

FAR 52.233-2 Service of Protest



Quotes shall be submitted via email to millicent.covert@va.gov and Offerors must reference Solicitation 36C24E18Q0020 in the subject line of the email. No telephone request for information will be considered. Incomplete packages will be considered nonresponsive. All offers must be received by the closing date Tuesday, November 28, 2017, NLT 12:00 PM EST.