(i) 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; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.
(ii) The solicitation number is 75N95024P00543 and the solicitation is issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).
This acquisition is for a commercial item or service and is conducted under the authority of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13—Simplified Acquisition Procedures; and FAR Part 12—Acquisition of Commercial Items and is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold.
(iii) The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) Number 2024-05, with an effective date April 22, 2024 .
(iv) The associated NAICS code is 333415 and the small business size standard is 1250 Employees. This requirement is full and open with no set-aside restrictions.
(v) This purchase requirement is to obtain two (2) -80 degrees C Ultra-cold Upright Freezers to preserve and store the dissected post-mortem human brains and other biological relevant material for scientific research.
(vi.) The NIMH Human Brain Collection Core (HBCC) maintains large collection of normal control and psychiatric patient brains for medical research. This one-of-a-kind collection must be stored at -80 degrees C in order to preserve the integrity of the tissue for research purposes. Any thawing and refreezing of this tissue destroys its viability for medical research. Accordingly, this incredibly valuable collection needs to be stored in deep freezers.
The following brand name or equal items are required:
- Two (2) Thermo Scientific TSX Universal Series Ultra-Low Freezers, Capacity:
- 28.8 cu. ft., Rack Capacity: 24, Amperage: 8.9-4.9 A, Defrost:
- Manual, Display: Touch-Screen LCD, Exterior Finish: Painted Cold
- Rolled Steel, Holds: 2 in. Boxes (600)
- Hazardous Material
Salient characteristics include:
- The Thermo Scientific™ TSX Series ultra-low freezers are designed to meet the highest standards in reliability, sustainability and temperature management.
- The upright freezer unit with an easily adjustable shelving system can hold up to 600 2-inch boxes
- 5 compartments inner freezer structure includes 5 inner doors and 4 shelves.
- With peak variation less than 5°C, the samples are protected and safely stored throughout the entire cabinet space. No need to worry about where the samples are stored within the freezer
- Long warm-up time from -50°C to -80°C: 5.05 hours
- Quiet enough to reside directly in the laboratory, rather than in the hall. At just 45.5 dBA, its sound level is comparable to a home refrigerator
- A V-drive’s adaptive control can detect usage patterns such as door openings when a higher compressor speed is needed and periods of stability where the compressor runs at a lower speed, saving energy without compromising protection
- Newly re-designed touch-screen user interface with easy-to-use: set-up wizard, event log, temperature mapping and data downloads via a built-in USB port
- Ergonomic design including comfortable door handle, eye-level touch-screen and shelf-level placement that don’t require floor-level loading of racks
- Security features including alarm settings, padlock-compatible doors and optional access card entry
- ENERGYSTAR, cULus, Certifications/Compliance
- Manual defrosts
(vii) The Government anticipates award of a firm fixed-price purchase order for this acquisition, and the anticipated delivery date is within 75 days after receipt of order (ARO). Delivery will be f.o.b. destination, The place of delivery and acceptance will be HBCC, NIMH-IRP, Building 10, Room 4A11A, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892.
(viii) The provision at FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. 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 these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html
(End of provision)
The following provisions apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:
- FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018)
- FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (AUG 2020)
- FAR 52.211-6, Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999)
- FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors--Commercial Items (SEP 2023)
- FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representations and Certifications – Commercial Items (SEP 2023)
- FAR 52.222-22 Previous Contracts and Compliance Reports (FEB 1999)
- HHSAR 352.239-73 Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility Notice (December 18, 2015)
The clause at FAR 52.252-2, Clauses Incorporated by Reference (Feb 1998), applies to this acquisition. 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 these addresses:
https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far https://www.hhs.gov/grants/contracts/contract-policies-regulations/hhsar/index.html
(End of clause)
The following clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated by reference:
- FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (OCT 2018)
- FAR 52.204-18 Commercial and Government Entity Code Maintenance (AUG 2020)
- FAR 52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (DEC 2022). Addendum to this FAR clause applies to this acquisition and is attached.
- HHSAR 352.222-70 Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 18, 2015)
- HHSAR 352.239-74, Electronic and Information Technology Accessibility (December 18, 2015)
The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and are incorporated as an attachment. Offerors MUST complete the provisions at 52.204-24 and 52.204-26 and submit completed copies as separate documents with their proposal.
- FAR 52.204-24 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021)
- FAR 52.204-26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (OCT 2020)
- FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders-Commercial Items (SEP 2023)
- NIH Invoicing Instructions With IPP
(ix) The provision at FAR clause 52.212-2, Evaluation-Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.
(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: (i) technical capability of the service offered to meet the Government requirement; (ii) past performance [see FAR 13.106-2(b)(3)]; and (iii) price.
Technical capability and past performance, when combined, are significantly more important than price.
(b) Options. The Government will evaluate offers for award purposes by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. The Government may determine that an offer is unacceptable if the option prices are significantly unbalanced. Evaluation of options shall not obligate the Government to exercise the option(s).
(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.
(x) The Offerors to include a completed copy of the provision at FAR clause 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications-Commercial Items (SEP 2023), with its offer. If the offeror has completed FAR clause 52.212-3 at www.sam.gov, then the offeror does not need to provide a completed copy with its offer.
(xi.) The following additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions as determined by the contracting officer are necessary for this acquisition and consistent with customary commercial practices. A one (1) year warranty must be included with this system upgrade.
(xii) The clause at FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items (DEC 2022), applies to this acquisition. Addendum to this FAR clause applies to this acquisition and is attached.
(xiii) There are no additional contract requirement(s) or terms and conditions applicable to this acquisition.
(xiv) The Defense Priorities and Allocations System (DPAS) are not applicable to this requirement.
(xv) Responses to this solicitation must include sufficient information to establish the interested parties’ bona-fide capabilities of providing the product. The price quote shall include: unit price, list price, shipping and handling costs, delivery days after contract award, delivery terms, prompt payment discount terms, F.O.B. Point (Destination or Origin), product or catalog number(s), product description, and any other information or factors that may be considered in the award decision. Such factors may include: past performance, special features required for effective program performance, trade-in considerations, probable life of the item selected as compared with that of a comparable item, warranty considerations, maintenance availability, and environmental and energy efficiency considerations.
Respondents proposing on an equal product of the brand-name product specified in this announcement must provide, as part of their response: (a) product, catalog, model, and/or part number(s); (b) product description; (c) all relevant information and documentation that the item(s) offered meets the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics as specified in the purchase description; quantity; estimated price or cost; shipping, handling, and/or installation charges; and delivery date after receipt of order.
The Unique Entity ID from SAM.gov, the Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), and the certification of business size must be included in the response. All offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov.
All quotations must be received by Monday, September 16, 2024, at 12:00pm Eastern Daylight/Standard Time and must reference solicitation number 75N95024P00543.
Responses must be submitted electronically to Diedra Prophet, Contract Specialist, at diedra.prophet@nih.gov.
Fax responses will not be accepted.
