<OFFADD>USDA, ARS, ERRC; Location Administrative Office; 600 East Mermaid Lane; Wyndmoor, PA 19038
<<SUBJECT>70- SIMULATION SOFTWARE
<SOLNBR>108-00016-13
<RESPDATE>07-26-2013
<CONTACT>Point of Contact, Regina Dennis, Purchasing Agent, (215)233-6553, fax
(215) 233-6485
United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Eastern Regional Research Center, Sustainable Biofuels and Co-Products (SBCP) Reseach Unit in Wyndmoor, PA is seeking to purchase Simulation Software to be furnished and delivered (F.O.B. Destination within Consignee=s Premises) to the USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center located in Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania; in accordance with the terms, conditions, and specifications contained in this document. The Sustainable Biofuels and Co-Products (SBCP) Research Unit at the Eastern Regional Research Center is in need of modeling software which can accurately compute chemical engineering process models and porperties, for use in process design and simulation. This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR subpart 12.6 (current as of FAC 2005-66), as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation quotations are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued. The NAICS is 511210. The Solicitation number is 108-00016-13 and is issued as a Request For Quotation (RFQ). SCHEDULE OF ITEMS - Furnish and deliver, F.O.B. Destination (shipping included) Simulation Software:
Specifications: Simulation Software:

A process modeling software is needed which can accurately compute chemical engineering process models and properties, for use in process design and simulation. The software should contain a strong thermodynamic and chemical database from which to take information for computations. The computations in question are based on equations and heuristics that are well-established in the chemical engineering field. A list of chemical engineering processes should include, but not be limited to:
-Fluid flow and heat transfer
-Heat exchangers of various types
-Reactors of various types (batch, plug flow, packed bed)
-Separation processes (distillation, cyclones, absorption, extractions)
- Thermodynamic properties calculations based on thermodynamic theory
The ability to sketch a process diagram and specify unit operation parameters
Furthermore, the software should be capable of carrying out simulations to model pyrolysis-type reactions. The purpose is to size equipment for on-the-farm pyrolysissystems, which would convert biomass into fuels and chemicals. Our research objectives are part ofa NIFA-funded BRDI grant(BRDI#USDA-NIFA-9008-003828). These conversion systems would exist as part of a network of distributed processing systems as opposed to a fully centralized system. The software should have capabilities to accurately model relatively small-scale systems, in addition to systems that are on the order of 10 to 20 metric tons per day. In addition to technical support, periodic updates to the software should be made available. It is desired for at least 1 to 2 users torun the software simultaneously.
The government would like to extend the offer for two additional option years. Please submit pricing for the two additional option years along with the base year.
The articles to be furnished hereunder shall be delivered, all transportation charges paid
by the vendor, and in accordance with the FOB designation clause (FAR 52.247-30) to:
Eastern Regional Research Center
Attn: Shipping & Receivng (Reference the order number)
600 E. Mermaid Lane.
Wyndmoor, PA 19038
SECTION 508 - ACCESSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC AND INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
(a) This Request for Quotation is subject to Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
U.S.C. 794d) as amended by the workforce Investment Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-220).
Specifically, subsection 508(a)(1) requires thatwhenthe Federal Government procures
Electronic and Information Technology (EIT), the EITmustallow Federalemployees and
individuals ofthe public with disabilities comparable access to and use ofinformation and
data that is provided to Federal employees and individuals oft the public without disabilities.
(b) The EIT accessibility standards at 36 CFR Part 1194 were developed by the Architectural
and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board ("Access Board") and apply to contracts and
task/delivery orders, awarded under indefinite quantity contracts on or after June 25,2001.
(c) Each Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) product or service furnished under this
contract shall comply with the Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility
Standards (36 CFR 1194), as specified in the contract, as a minimum. If the Contracting
Officer determines any furnished product or service is not in compliance with the contract, the
Contracting Officer will promptly inform the Contractor in writing. The Contractor shall,
without charge to the Government, repair or replace the non-compliant products or services
within the period oftime to be specified by the Government in writing. If such repair orreplacement is not completed within the time specified, the Government shall have the
following recourses:
1. Cancellation ofthe contract, delivery or task order, purchase or line item without
termination liabilities; or
2. In the case of custom Electronic and Information Technology (EIT) being
developed by a contractor for the Government, the Government shall have the right to
have any necessary changes made or repairs performed by itself or by another firm
for the noncompliant EIT, with the contractor liable for reimbursement to the
Government for any expenses incurred thereby.
(d) The contractor must ensure that all EIT products that are less than fully compliant
with the accessibility standards are provided pursuant to extensive market research and
are the most current compliant products or servicesavailableto satisfy the contract
requirements.
(e) For every EIT product or service accepted under this contact by the Government
that does not comply with 36 CFR 1194, the contractor shall, at the discretion ofthe
Government, make every effort to replace or upgradeit with a compliant equivalent
product or service, if commercially available and cost neutral, on either a contract
specified refresh cycle for the product or service, or on a contract effective
option/renewal date; whichever shall occur first.
Section 508 Compliance for Communications
The Simulation Software shall comply with the standards, policies, and procedures below. In the
event of conflicts between the referenced documents and this Request for Quotation shall take
precedence.
Rehabilitation Act, Section 508 Accessibility Standards
1. 29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended)
2. 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards)
3. www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm (508 standards)
4. FAR 39.2 (Section 508)
5. USDA Standards, policies and procedures (Section 508)
In addition, all contract deliverables are subject to these 508 standards as applicable.
Regardless offormat, all Web content or communications materials produced, including text,
audio or video - must conform to applicable Section 508 standards to allow federal
employees and members ofthe public with disabilities to access information that is
comparable to information provided to persons without disabilities. All contractors
(including subcontractors) or consultants responsible for preparing or posting content must
comply with applicable Section 508 accessibility standards, and where applicable, those setforth in the referenced policy or standards documents above. Remediation of any materials
that do not comply with the applicable provisions of 36 CFR Part 1194 as set forth in the
Request for Quotation, shall be the responsibility ofthe contractor or consultant.
The following Section 508 provisions apply to the content or communications material
identified in mis Request for Quotation:
36 CFR Part 1194.21 a- 1
36 CFR Part 1194.22 a- p
36 CFR Part 1194.31 a- f
36 CFR Part 1194.41 a- c
The contractor shall provide a completed Section 508 Product Assessment Template andthe
contractorshall state exactly how proposed EIT deliverable(s) meet or does not meet the
applicable standards.
The following Section 508 provisions apply for software development material identified in
this SOW, PWS, or TO:
Forsoftware development, the Contractor/Developer/Vendor shall comply with the
standards, policies, and procedures below:
Rehabilitation Act, Section 508, Accessibility Standards
(1) 29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended)
(2) 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards)
36 CFR Part 1194.21 (a -1)
36 CFR Part 1194.31 (a -f)
36 CFR Part 1194.41 (a -c)
(3) www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm (508 Standards)
(4) FAR 39.2 (Section 508)
(5) USDA Standards, policies and procedures(Section 508)
a. Information Technology - General Information
http://www.ocio.usda.gOv/508/index.html#resources
For web-based applications, the Contractor shall comply with the standards, policies, and
procedures below:
Rehabilitation Act, Section 508, Accessibility Standards(1) 29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended)
(2) 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards)
36 CFRPart 1194.22 (a-p)
36 CFR Part 1194.41 (a -c)
(3) www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm (508 Standards)
(4) FAR 39.2 (Section 508)
(5) USDA Standards, policies and procedures (Section 508)
a. Information Technology - General Information
http://www.ocio.usda.gOv/508/index.html#resources
Companies with the demonstrated capability of providing this equipment must submit a
descriptive statement, including descriptive literature, specifically addressing the
equipments components and availability. The statement and literature must be submitted to
the Contracting Office Address at the dayandtime specified in the synopsis. Thisis not a
request for proposal. No solicitation is available. The items to be furnished shall be labeled with
the purchase ordernumber and delivered, all transportation charges paid by the Contractor in
accordance withthe F.O.B. Destination Clause to USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research
Center. Theprovision at 52.217-5 Evaluation of Options (July 1990) applies to this acquisition.
ADDITIONAL QUOTATION INFORMATION: The provision at 52-212-1, Instruction to
Offerors - Commercial Items (Feb 2012), applies to this acquisition. FARClause 52.212-1, is
amended to include the following clauses by reference: 1. Submission of Offers is amended to
include the following: Submit yourquotation and descriptive literature on the proposed
software, and the Certifications at FAR52.212-3 to the Contracting Officer. FAILURE TO
SUBMIT THIS INFORMATION MAY RENDER THE OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE.
FACSIMILE OFFERS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE. The provision at 52.212-2, Evaluation -
Commercial Items (Jan 1999), applies to this acquisition. ADDENDUM TO FAR CLAUSE
52.212-2. Any resulting order will be issued to the company offering the best value to the
Government, price and other factors considered. EVALUATION FACTORS FOR AWARD
will be based on technical capabilities, price and price-related factors. FAILURE TO PROVIDE
THE INFORMATION RELATIVE TO EACH EVALUATION FACTOR MAY RENDER
YOUR OFFER NON-RESPONSIVE, a) Technical Capability will be based on technical
features, and product literature. Each offer is required to submit descriptive literature and
documentation, and show how the offered product meets or exceeds the requirements as
specified in the specifications, b) Price includes software,discount terms, and transportation.
Your offer shall include pricing in accordance with the SCHEDULE OF ITEMS identified
above, c) Offerors shall include a complete copy ofthe provision at FAR 52.212-3,
Offeror/Representation and Certifications-Commercial Items (Dec 2012), with the quotation.
FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (Feb 2012), applies to this
acquisition. 2. Item (g) Invoice is amended to include the following: The invoice shall be
submitted in an original and one copy after delivery ofall items. The Invoice shall be mailed to:
USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA
19038, ATTN: Regina Dennis. USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center plans to award
forth in the referenced policy or standards documents above. Remediation of any materials
that do not comply with the applicable provisions of 36 CFR Part 1194 as set forth in the
Request for Quotation, shall be the responsibility ofthe contractor or consultant.
The following Section 508 provisions apply to the content or communications material
identified in mis Request for Quotation:
36 CFR Part 1194.21 a- 1
36 CFR Part 1194.22 a- p
36 CFR Part 1194.31 a- f
36 CFR Part 1194.41 a- c
The contractor shall provide a completed Section 508 Product Assessment Template andthe
contractorshall state exactly how proposed EIT deliverable(s) meet or does not meet the
applicable standards.
The following Section 508 provisions apply for software development material identified in
this SOW, PWS, or TO:
Forsoftware development, the Contractor/Developer/Vendor shall comply with the
standards, policies, and procedures below:
Rehabilitation Act, Section 508, Accessibility Standards
(1) 29 U.S.C. 794d (Rehabilitation Act as amended)
(2) 36 CFR 1194 (508 Standards)
36 CFR Part 1194.21 (a -1)
36 CFR Part 1194.31 (a -f)
36 CFR Part 1194.41 (a -c)
(3) www.access-board.gov/sec508/508standards.htm (508 Standards)
(4) FAR 39.2 (Section 508)
(5) USDA Standards, policies and procedures(Section 508)
a. Information Technology - General Information
http://www.ocio.usda.gOv/508/index.html#resources
For web-based applications, the Contractor shall comply with the standards, policies, and
procedures below:
Rehabilitation Act,a single, firm-fixed price contract to the offerorwhose quotation is most advantageous to the
Government price and other factors considered. Award may be made without discussions;
however, ERRC reserves the right to conduct discussions later if determined necessary by the
contracting officer. This contract incorporatesone or more clauses by reference, with the same
force and affect as ifthey were given in full text. The full text ofthese clauses may be accessed
electronically at: http://www.arnet.gov/far/. 52.214-21, Descriptive Literature ( Apr 2002); 52.214-
34, Submission ofOffers in the English Language (Apr 1991); 52.214-35 Submission ofOffers
in U.S. Currency (Apr 1991); 52.247-35, F.O.B. Destination, Within Consignee=s Premises
(APR 1984); 52.212-5, ContractTerms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or
Executive Orders - Commercial Items (Jan 2013); 52.232-33 Payment By Electronic Funds
Transfer -Central Contractor Registration (Oct 2003), 52:233-4 Applicable Law for Breach of
Contract (Oct 2004), appliesto this acquisition. Responses are due by 4:00 p.m. local time, on
July 26,2013, at the USDA, ARS, Eastern Regional Research Center, Location Administrative
Office, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038. Point of Contact for this acquisition is
Regina Dennis, Purchasing Agent, (215) 233-6553 or fax (215) 233-6485