This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial services prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6 of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), 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 USDA, ARS, Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit in Athens, Georgia requires one (1) enhanced darkfield illumination system.
In accordance with the procedures in FAR Part 12 and 13, this Request for Quotes (RFQ), number 12405B24Q0483, is available through electronic commerce via the System for Award Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov. This RFQ is being issued as a total set aside for small business under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The applicable small business size standard is 1,000 employees. The resulting purchase order will be a firm-fixed price type.
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The resulting award will include one (1) line item that includes all items listed below:
Enhanced darkfield illumination system (EDIS) for microscope. EDIS is needed to develop high-resolution hyperspectral microscope imaging system for foodborne pathogen identification. Will be assembled in microscope with a scientific CMOS camera. Essential to conduct research pertinent to the NP108 project plan for rapid, high-throughput smart optical system for foodborne bacteria detection.
EDIS with Liquid Light Guide VIS-NIR, Illumination System with Output Regulation & IR Filter Holder, Necessary Adapters, and User Manual.
Must fit onto research grade Nikon and Olympus upright or inverted microscopes.
Must contain a 1.2-1.4 NA cardioid oil condenser, capable of accepting source illumination directly via liquid light guide and producing automated realigned Koehler illumination.
Must include a variable power halogen light source with aluminum housing bulb to produce smooth illumination from 400nm-1,000nm. Variable power must produce a maximum of 150 watts. This light source must connect via liquid light guide.
Must allow for user-controlled optimization of critical illumination without any degradation of Koehler illumination. System must fit onto condenser mount the research grade optical microscopes outlined in the first bullet above.
Must enable optical detection of metal nanomaterials down to 10nm in solution or adhered on glass slide. The enhanced darkfield optics must enable signal-to-noise enhancement of up to 7x over standard microscope darkfield condenser optics.
Verification of both the optical detection of 10nm metal nanoparticles and a 7x improvement in the optical signal-to-noise over standard darkfield optics must be provided in an independent documented manner, such as a peer-reviewed publication.
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In accordance with FAR 52.212-3(b)(2) vendors must be registered and active in SAM at the time of quote to be considered for award. SAM is a Federal Government owned and operated FREE website located at www.sam.gov.
The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular Number 2024-05. The following provisions and clauses apply to this solicitation:
Clauses
52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)
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. Also, the full text of a clause may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): Federal Acquisition Regulation: www.acquisition.gov.
52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance. (OCT 2018)
52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance. (AUG 2020)
52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions – Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (NOV 2023)
52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders– Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (MAY 2024). 52.203-17, Contractor Employee Whistleblower Rights (Nov 2023); 52.204-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards (Jun 2020); 52.204-27, Prohibition on a ByteDance Covered Application (Jun 2023); 52.209-6, Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment. (Nov 2021); 52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Set-Aside (Nov 2020); 52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Rerepresentation (Feb 2024)(15 U.S.C. 632(a)(2)); 52.222-3, Convict Labor (Jun 2003); 52.222-19, Child Labor-Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies (Feb 2024); 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities (Apr 2015); 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity (Sep 2016); 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans (Jun 2020); 52.222-36, Equal Opportunity for Workers with Disabilities (Jun 2020); 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Veterans (Jun 2020); 52.222-50, Combating Trafficking in Persons (Nov 2021); 52.225-1 Buy American-Supplies (OCT 2022); Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases (Feb 2021); 52.226-8, Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving (May 2024); 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-System for Award Management (Oct2018)(31 U.S.C. 3332)..
52.252-6 Authorized Deviations in Clauses. (NOV 2020)
(a) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Federal Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 1) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the date of the clause.
(b) The use in this solicitation or contract of any Agriculture Acquisition Regulation (48 CFR Chapter 4) clause with an authorized deviation is indicated by the addition of "(DEVIATION)" after the name of the regulation.
452.204-70 Modification for Contract Closeout. (DEVIATION JUL 2020)
(a) If unobligated funds in the amount of $1000 or less remain on the contract, the Contracting Officer (CO) shall issue a unilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification but will not be required to provide a signature. The CO shall immediately proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.
(b) If unobligated funds of more than $1000 remain on the contract, the CO shall issue a bilateral modification for deobligation. The contractor will receive a copy of the modification and will be required to provide a signature. (The CO may also request a Release of Claims be completed by the contractor, although not required for contract and orders using SAP.) If the bilateral modification and Release of Claims are not returned to the CO within 60 days, the CO shall release the modification as unilateral and proceed with contract closeout upon completion of the period of performance, receipt and acceptance of supplies or services, and final payment.
Provisions
52.252-1 Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. (FEB 1998)
This solicitation incorporates one or more solicitation provisions 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. The offeror is cautioned that the listed provisions may include blocks that must be completed by the offeror and submitted with its quotation or offer. In lieu of submitting the full text of those provisions, the offeror may identify the provision by paragraph identifier and provide the appropriate information with its quotation or offer. Also, the full text of a solicitation provision may be accessed electronically at this/these address(es): Federal Acquisition Regulation: www.acquisition.gov.
52.204-7 System for Award Management. (OCT 2018)
52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting. (AUG 2020)
52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal. (AUG 1999)
52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (SEP 2023)
52.212-2 Evaluation—Commercial Products and Commercial Services. (Nov 2021)
(a) The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible offeror whose offer conforming to the solicitation will be most advantageous to the Government, price and other factors considered. The following factors shall be used to evaluate offers: technical acceptability and price.
(b) RESERVED
(c) A written notice of award or acceptance of an offer, mailed or otherwise furnished to the successful offeror within the time for acceptance specified in the offer, shall result in a binding contract without further action by either party. Before the offer’s specified expiration time, the Government may accept an offer (or part of an offer), whether or not there are negotiations after its receipt, unless a written notice of withdrawal is received before award.
52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Products or Commercial Services (MAY 2024)
Quotes are due no later than August 19, 2204, 2pm (MT). All responsible sources who submit a timely quote will be considered for award. Quotes may be submitted electronically, e-mailed to amanda.somerville@usda.gov; no faxed or hard copy quotes are allowed.
For information about this requirement, vendors may contact Amanda Somerville at amanda.somerville@usda.gov.
