Inactive

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 announce... 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 12505B21Q0085 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2021-07. 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 6640. The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following products: 001) Pour, Cloud and Freeze Point Analyzer Scope of Work: The USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research (NCAUR) in Peoria, IL is requesting quotes for a pour, cloud and freeze point analyzer. Background: Develop technology for converting low-cost agriculture-based raw materials to biodiesel and value-added bioproducts with applications in multiple markets. Bioproducts developed from this research include biodiesel with improved performance, oils for environmental remediation of heavy metals from soil and wastewater streams, household and industrial cleaners, surfactants and detergents, biobased lubricant additives and base oils, fire-resistant polymers and plasticizers. A bench-scale instrument for analyzing the cloud point and pour point of biodiesel and biobased lubricants is necessary in pursuit of this research project’s goals and objectives. To facilitate the testing of large numbers of samples, this instrument must be fully automated and capable of delivering results within 8-10 min. Furthermore, available quantities of some biobased fluids may be limited such that small sample sizes (less than 1 mL). The instrument is designed to measure the cloud point of fuels or lubricants by rapidly cooling a small liquid sample, optically scan for the formation of small solid crystals, and report the temperature where the crystals begin to form. The same instrument can detect the pour point by determining the temperature where the liquid “gels” and fails to show motion as it is cooled below the cloud point. The selected automatic cloud and pour point detector will replace a similar instrument that was acquired 20 years ago. The older instrument was purchased from Phase Technology (Richmond, BC, Canada) and has reliably served the research needs throughout its lifetime. However, the instrument is out of date and servicing is no longer technically supported by the manufacturer. Repairs may not be possible owing to difficulties in finding available replacement parts. Technical Requirements: Contractor will provide an automated cloud point and pour point tester with the following required features: 1) integrated cooling system 2) temperature range between ?80 °C and 60 °C 3) programmable temperature ramping and cooling 4) touch-screen control/interface 5) internal memory for data storage 6) external printer capable 7) USB ports for external data backups and peripherals 8) automatic temperature calibration The instrument must meet the following technical specifications: 1) cloud point measurements resolution = 0.1 °C 2) pour point measurement resolution = 1, 2 or 3 °C 3) yields results within 8-10 min; 4) simultaneous measurement of cloud and pour points 5) small footprint (maximum depth = 22 in) to fit on bench 6) light weight (maximum = 55 lb) 7) user-friendly high resolution touch-screen control/interface 8) graphical results viewed on screen in real time 9) cloud and pour point measurements in compliance with ASTM standard test methods 10) repeatability (maximum) ? 2 °C. Name Brand or Equal: Phase Technology’s PSA-70Xi Automatic Pour, Cloud and Freeze Point Tester. Security Requirements: A copy of an official government photo ID (State-issued driver’s license or ID card, passport, green card, etc.) must be provided before secure access to the NCAUR facility will be provided. Freight drivers must comply with NCAUR COVID-19 pandemic guidelines to include the wearing of face masks and maintaining six-foot social distancing. 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: Pour, Cloud and Freeze Point Analyzer Touch Screen Protectors Delivery Service Plan Delivery: Delivery is to be made to USDA-ARS NCAUR located at 1815 N University Street, Peoria, IL 61604 by no later than 120 days after award. The vendor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard USDA-ARS Peoria, IL 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 aaron.dimeo@usda.gov 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 aaron.dimeo@usda.gov by no later than Monday, September 27, 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 22, 2021. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation.