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 12505B21Q0191 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-06. The associated NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees and the PSC code is 6630.

The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following products:

001) Microplate Reader Spectrophotometer

Scope of Work:

The UDSA-ARS Cell Wall Biology & Utilization Research Unit (CWBURU) is requesting quotes for a microplate reader spectrophotometer.

Background:

We plan to purchase a microplate reader spectrophotometer with internal temperature control, does not use filters to change wavelengths, has internal shaking available and is able to hold programs for different assay requirements. Several research programs here at Dairy Forage Research Center are presently performing sophisticated assays for the detection and quantification of proteins and carbohydrates. Due to the objectives of our CRISs, our research projects include analysis of cattle feeds and fluid samples. Our research programs currently cover a wide range of sample types including cattle urine, blood, rumen fluid, feed ingredients and more. The current microplate reader has been in use for seven years and is aging. It is the main workhorse for two labs, both of which have increased their use of the machine.  To fulfill the research needs, we are looking for a similar reliable microplate reader spectrophotometer this will facilitate the running and reading of our various different assays and cover the range of conditions they need.  It will increase thru put of samples and give us a backup when the older unit no longer functions.

Technical Requirements:

Microplate reader Spectrophotometer Requirements       

1. Reads 200-999 nm wavelengths at 1nm increments
2. Filter free wavelength creation (i.e. monochromator)
3. Heats to 65C with condensation control.  Convection heating vs forced air.
4. Shaking: orbital, linear, figure 8; with frequency & duration programable
5. Software compatible to our system…windows 10
6. Software can save different programs with various read, incubate, duration parameters.
7. Can export to excel file format.
8. Handles Plate types:  6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 384-well microplates
9. Read modes: Endpoint, kinetic, spectral scanning and well area scanning
10. Wavelength Accuracy:  +/- 2 nm
11. Wavelength Repeatability: +/- 0.2 nm
12. Performance Accuracy: 0-2.0 OD +/-1%  +/-0.010;  2.0-2.5 OD  +/-3% +/-0.010
13. Performance Repeatability:  0-2.0 OD +/-1%  +/-0.005;  2.0-2.5 OD  +/-3% +/-0.005
14. 96 well plate read speed ~8 seconds
15. Fits standard 120V outlet
16. Has USB ports

Data Rights:

Any log data on the instrument belongs to the government and cannot be distributed with government permission.  

Section 508 – Electronic and Information Technology Standards:

Needs to be Windows 10 compatible and export data in CVS or excel style.

Evaluation Factors: 

Lowest price, technically acceptable. The government intends to award a firm-fixed price award based on the lowest price technically acceptable product. The lowest priced product will be evaluated first; if not found acceptable, the next lowest priced product will be evaluated, and so on until an acceptable product is identified. The government will not review higher priced products if the lowest priced product is determined to be technically acceptable. For a vendor’s products to be considered technically acceptable, they must meet all of the technical requirements identified in the solicitation.

Key Deliverables:

• Microplate Reader Spectrophotometer

Delivery

Government will review the instrument upon time of delivery. The instrument should be delivered before October 30th, 2021 to the UDSA-ARS CWBURU located at 1925 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53706. It is open Monday-Friday, from 8-4PM.

The vendor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard USDA-ARS Madison, WI and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract.

Submitting a Quote:

To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. 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. Vendor must also include their DUNS# on their quote.

Also, to be eligible, all vendors must be NDAA 889 Certified. If they do not currently have a NDAA 889 Certification, then they must complete the attached NDAA 889 Certification form and submit it to [email protected] so that they can be added to the list of NDAA 889 Certified vendors.

The submission and payment of invoices on the resulting contract will be made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). As such, vendors must be currently registered or register in IPP in order to be able to submit and receive payment on invoices for the resulting contract.  

Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF 1449 (see attached). The quote should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. This will be a tax-exempt purchase.

Only electronic submissions will be accepted. Please email all quotes in writing on the SF 1449 to [email protected] by no later than Monday, September 13, 2021 at 5:00 PM Central Standard Time.

Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email and are due no later than 5:00 PM CST on Wednesday, September 8, 2021. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.