Microscope equipment

The Commonwealth of Kentucky's Finance and Administration Cabinet, on behalf of the Division of Water, issued Request for Bid (RFB) 758 2000000508 for the procurement of microscope equipment for delivery to Elliott County. The solicitation seeks three distinct line items: a Martin RZ-APO Trinocular Zoom Stereomicroscope with 10x-90x zoom range and LED stand, a Motic BA410T Elite phase contrast compound microscope with specified objectives and accessories, and a Jenoptik Gryphax Subra USB3 digital microscope camera with HD video recording and Z-stacking functionality. All equipment must be new, current year model, in first-class condition, and accompanied by instruction and operating manuals. Vendors may bid on one or more line items, with the contract to be awarded by individual line item. The RFB was posted on February 28, 2020, with a deadline for vendor written questions by March 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. ET and bid submissions required by March 13, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. ET. All proposed pricing must remain valid for a minimum of 60 calendar days following the bid due date. Evaluation criteria allocate 90 points for price (with the lowest price receiving maximum points and others scored proportionally), 10 points for delivery time measured in working days (with one percent daily invoice deductions for late delivery), and 10 points for warranty provisions, totaling 110 possible points. Line 1 requires minimum one-year electrical and limited lifetime mechanical warranty; Line 2 requires minimum one-year electrical and five-year mechanical warranty; and Line 3 requires minimum two-year warranty.

All quotations must be F.O.B. Destination with freight prepaid and allowed, with vendors responsible for all shipment and freight charges. Kentucky resident bidders and qualified bidders, including Kentucky Correctional Industries, receive reciprocal or additional preference scoring under state procurement guidelines. All bidders and offerors must complete the Annual Affidavit for Bidders, Offerors, and Contractors, effective through February 26, 2021, certifying compliance with Kentucky campaign finance laws, tax registration requirements, and freedom from state tax delinquency. Foreign entities must provide Secretary of State registration certificates, and all entities must complete the Kentucky Tax Registration Application (Revenue Form 10A100) before contract award. Bidders proposing alternate brands or equivalent specifications must submit descriptive literature for verification; failure to do so may result in non-responsive bid determination. All equipment includes 30-day return privileges for full refund, and delivery must include installation, calibration, training, and associated travel and lodging costs. No budget range or incumbent vendor information was specified in the solicitation documents.