Inactive Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5)

This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This acquisition will be made in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulat... This notice is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This acquisition will be made in accordance with the format in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6 “Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and solicitation for commercial Items,” as applicable, and as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation (a written solicitation will not be issued) and quotes are being requested. The Solicitation number is RFQ-RML-C-2112300 and the solicitation is issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ). This solicitation is a request for quotes (RFQ) Brand Name or Equal. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2022-04 Effective January 30, 2022 The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 332999 with a small business size standard of 750 employees. This acquisition is being posted as a Request for Quotes, Brand Name or Equal, with a small business set-aside. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), The NIH, Rocky Mountain Laboratories located at 903 S 4TH ST Hamilton, MT is seeking to purchase the following supplies as a Brand Name or Equal solicitation. Ferret Isolator Chamber Transmission Caging Brand Specifications of current caging system, Manufactured by Carter 2 Systems, Inc Two over three configuration isolator racks (4 racks ea 6 removable cages with integral base frame, 5" casters autoclavable Manufacturers (Carter2 Systems, Inc) Description/part #’s 1) Catalog # 46282 QTY: 3 Units 2) With 5” Autoclavable Casters on each unit The ferret cages must be 100% compatible with our existing caging for the safety of all animals and staff at NIH. Solicitation attachments and Product Descriptions for Offerors benefit include: 1) Cage specifications listed below Specifications – Ferret Isolator Chambers • Cages must be compliant with 42 CFR Part 73 and 7 CFR 331. • Ferret Isolator Chambers catalog # 46282 manufactured by Carter 2 Systems, Inc Use catalog # 46282 for brand name or equal specifications which include the following: • Must have four racks each containing 6 removable cages in a two over three configurations. • The racks must be approximately 83” tall x 74” wide. • The racks must have an integral base frame with 5” casters. • The racks must have a center vertical air plenum between the two stacks of three cages. • The racks must have vertical air plenums on the outside ends of the racks. • The two outside plenums are to be connected to each other at the top. * • The two outside air plenums must have the capability to be located inside the vertical frame members. • Must have a double blower unit located at the top of the rack with system of Filters/Dividers. • The double blower must have a system so that the air flow can be easily reversed. • Each chamber must have louvered sides to meter the horizontal air flow. • Each chamber must have a water fitting that extends through the rear of each cage. • The chambers must have hinged doors which all latch toward the center air plenum. • The hinged front doors must have Pyrex glass which can be autoclaved. • The hinged doors must have silicone foam seals which seal tight to the rack fronts. • Specifications – Ferret Isolator Cages: • Each cage must be integral to the rack and each cages has a removable waste pan. • Each cage must be approximately 24” wide x 30” deep x 20” tall. • Each cage must have a solid sheet top with solid louvered sides. • Each cage must have a hinged wire door with solid sheet on the lower ~4”. • Each cage must have a wire floor grate above the removable waste pan. • Cages must have vertical wire partition that can be positioned in the center or at third points. • Each cage must have (2) fold down handles on the solid top. • This caging must mirror the cages currently at the animal unit facility at Rocky Mountain Labs, NIH. Must be 100 % compatible with current caging designed and manufactured by Carter 2 Systems for the safety of our staff and animals. • Must guarantee and list delivery/arrival date to Rocky Mountain Laboratories located in Hamilton, MT 59840 • Must include Shipping cost FOB destination to Hamilton, MT 59840 • Delivery Terms: • These cages will be used for COVID research efforts and will be used to house incoming animals. These cages are of an urgent need in response to COVID19 protocols. • If offeror is submitting a response as “Equal products to the brand name” a prototype MUST be received within 6 weeks from the award date and the prototype MUST be approved by a Rocky Mountain Laboratories Select Agent Responsible Official and/or alternate responsible official to inspect the caging to ensure compliance with 42 CFR Part 73 and 7 CFR 331. Once compliance has been approved, a full inspection of the units will be performed for compatibility with current caging systems. Acceptance of the units will only be provided if both inspections are successful, in accordance with FAR Part 52.212-4(a)(1). The successful offeror will be notified of the acceptance of this initial unit, within seven (7) business days of delivery. If the initial unit is not accepted, the remaining units may be cancelled in accordance with FAR 52.212-4 (m) Termination for Cause if the reason(s) for non-acceptance are so substantial that the required corrections will preclude the delivery of the full requirements by the time frame specified. If any offeror’s prototype of an “Equal Product” is rejected or not approved by a Select Agent Responsible Official and/or alternate responsible official, as an Equal to the Manufacturers Catalog number and specifications, it will not be considered for any future posting responses as an Equal status. This award will become the basis for all future procurement awards requiring the awarded brand name or equal cage units. All future awards will be considered as a Follow-On Procurement. Once the award is made for the approved cage unit, the Government intends to utilize Follow-On procurement procedures when a procuring need arises within this specific laboratory Animal Unit within Rocky Mountain Laboratories. • Second delivery of remaining Units: The units will be delivered within 180 days of final acceptance of initial units. This delivery is conditional, based on the acceptance of the initial deliverable if providing an Equal product response. • If offeror is submitting the Brand Name, Manufactured by Carter 2 Systems, Inc, then NO PROTOTYPE delivery is required as the brand name units are already approved and 100% compatible with the currently caging units. • Delivery address: Rocky Mountain Laboratories 903 S 4th ST Hamilton, MT United States. Shipping shall be quoted as FOB: Destination Quoting instructions: • Please include your DUNS number on quote • Include response to FAR 52.204-26 with your quote. I. EVALUATION: NIAID will evaluate all quotes to determine the most advantageous to the government. NIAID will make that determination based on the capability of each vendor’s quote to provide all requested products/services, meet the required specifications, provide the proposed products/service in a timely manner, and at a reasonable price. Because this requirement will be used within a High Containment Bio-Safety Laboratory (BSL4), NIAID will also evaluate and assess any potential risks by conforming to the Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) 6th edition. The (BMBL) is a protocol-driven risk assessment evaluation to identify possible combinations of risks and mitigations feasible in biomedical and clinical laboratories. The (BMBL) has served as the NIAID’s basis of biosafety practice in the United States since its initial release in 1984. The Government’s objective is to obtain the highest technical solution considered necessary to achieve the project objectives with a reasonable price. In the event quotes are evaluated as equal in Technical evaluation, Delivery / Lead-time and price will become a major consideration in selecting the successful Vendor. If providing an equal product(s), please supply descriptive data for evaluation purposes to determine the validity of how it is an EQUAL. The following FAR provision apply to this solicitation and is incorporated by reference: FAR 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999) (a) If an item in this solicitation if identified as “brand name or equal”, the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government’s needs. The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that “equal” products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of “equal” products, including “equal” products of the brand name manufacturer, must – (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics specified in the solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by – (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements. Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modifications. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate “equal” products on-the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer. The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an “equal” product(s), the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. (End of provision). II. SPECIAL NOTICE TO VENDORS: Vendors are advised that the Government may share your information with non-government personnel who are assisting with the evaluation of quotes. The exclusive responsibility for source selection will reside with the Government. By submitting your quote, you will be consenting to disclosure of your quote to non-government personnel for purposes of evaluation. If an “Equal Product Quotation” is awarded. The entire award is conditional upon acceptance of the initial unit delivered. If the initial units are not accepted, the units will be rejected and returned to the offeror at the offeror’s expense. This award will be a Firm Fixed Price award and the vendor must provide products that meet the requirements of the solicitation. Modifications to increase the price will not be permitted. Submissions shall be received not later than 8:00 a.m. EST, February 26, 2022 The government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order to the responsible contractor as a result of this RFQ that will include the terms and conditions set forth herein. By providing an offer to this RFQ, confirms your facilities acceptance, that the Government Terms and conditions shall prevail over this award. The award will be based on the following: Technical capability to meet the above listed Spec Requirements, Delivery date/lead-time and Price. The following FAR provisions apply to this acquisition: FAR 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items (NOV 2021) FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items (NOV 2021) FAR 52.204-7 System for Award Management (OCT 2018) (Offerors must complete annual representations and certifications on-line at http://www.sam.gov/ in accordance with FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications- Commercial Items (Please ensure 52.209-2 -- Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations--Representation. (Nov 2015) is updated in your SAM record) FAR 52.203-18 Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements – Representation (JAN 2017) 52.204–26 Covered Telecommunications Equipment or Services-Representation (OCT 2020) *** Must complete representation if attached to this solicitation- see attachment 52.204-26 The following FAR contract clauses apply to this acquisition: FAR 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions Commercial Items (NOV 2021) FAR 52-212.5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders Commercial Items (JAN 2022) *The applicable subparagraphs of FAR52.212-5 are included in the attachment to this posting. FAR 52.232-40 Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors (NOV 2021) FAR 52.204-13 System for Award Management Maintenance (Oct 2018) FAR 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (NOV 2021) HHSAR 352.222-70, Contractor Cooperation in Equal Employment Opportunity Investigations (December 2015) 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 address: http://farsite.hill.af.mil/vffara.htm By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee shall be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation (www.sam.gov). Copies of the above-referenced provisions and clauses are available from http://www.acquisition.gov/far/loadmainre.html & http: //www.hhs.gov/regulation/index.html or, upon request, either by telephone or fax. Submission shall be received not later than February 26, 2022 8:00 am EST Offers may be e-mailed to Diana Rohlman (E-Mail/ diana.rohlman@nih.gov). Offers shall include RFQ number in the subject line (RFQ-RML-C-2112300). Late submissions shall be treated in accordance with the solicitation provision at FAR 52.212-1(f) All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency. Any questions or concerns regarding this solicitation should be forwarded in writing via e-mail to Diana Rohlman, diana.rohlman@nih.gov.