This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items preparedin accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and written solicitation will not be issued. Solicitation No. 5361113000784 is being issued as a Request for Proposal (RFP). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-04. The NAICS code applicable to this solicitation is 333111. The USDA, ARS, MWA, Photosynthesis Research Unit, SoyFACE Division, Urbana, IL has a requirement/need for a 4-Row Plot Planter to be used primarily for planting research plots. THE SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS: The equipment must meet or exceed the following minimum specifications: 1) 4 row 15” centers 2) Row Units – 3 Pt. mounted 3) 1 to 4 row seed splitter w/manual solenoid trip. 4) Operator seat on planter 5) Large seed tray 6) No row markers 7) No insecticide system 8) Plot length set to 9' DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE: Offerors shall submit 2 copies of the descriptive literature describing their proposed equipment in enough detail to ascertain whether the equipment meets the criteria listed above. REJECTION OF PROPOSAL: Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the proposal without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered. The following provisions and clauses apply to the acquisition and can be found in full text at http://www.arnet.gov/far/loadmainre.html. FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions provided by Reference are as follows: FAR 52.204-6, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number (Provide with Proposal); FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to offerors - Commercial Items; FAR 52.2120-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3 Offeror Representation and Certifications - Commercial Items (Provide with Proposal); FAR 52.214-21, Descriptive Literature (Provide with Proposal); FAR 52.204-7, Central Contractor Registration (All offerors must be registered in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) Database in order to receive an award. The website address for registration is: http://www.ccr.gov); and FAR 52.222-22, Previous Compliance Report. FAR 52.252-2 Clauses Incorporated by Reference, FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items apply to this acquisition. FAR 52.2222-3, Convict Labor (E.O. 11755); FAR 52.222-19, Child Labor; 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities; 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity; 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Special Disabled Veterans; 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities; 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans; 52.225-3, Buy American Act - North American Free Trade Agreement - Israeli Trade Act; 52.225-13, Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.225-15, Sanctioned European Union Country End Products (E.O. 12849); 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration (3 U.S.C 3332); 52-232-36, Payment by Third Party (31 U.S.C 3332) and FAR 52.233, Protest After Award. The above FAR clauses may be viewed at http://www.ARNET.gov/far/loadmainre.html. SHIPPING: FOB Destination. DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN PROPOSAL: In order to be considered for award Offerors shall provide 1) a proposal on company letterhead detailing the item description, unit price, and extended price; 2) descriptive literature, brochures; 3) at least 3 to 5 references for the proposed equipment. References must have received the proposed equipment within the last three (3) calendar years (Government references are preferred but will accept commercial references). References shall be provided for the product proposed and if possible include e-mail address of contact person; and 4) Offerors shall include a completed copy of the provisions FAR 52.212-3 OFFEROR REPRESENTATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS - COMMERCIAL ITEMS, with this offer; a copy of this provision may be obtained at http://www.arnet.gov/far/loadmainre.html. DELIVERY TO: USDA/ARS, Urbana, IL 61801. PROPOSAL PRICE MUST INCLUDE any freight or shipping as well as any applicable duties, brokerage, or customs fees. DELIVERY DATE DUE: The Government requires delivery on or before 30 days after award, however, each offeror shall include their proposed delivery schedule as part of their quotation. FAR 52.212-2 EVALUATION - COMMERCIAL ITEM, the significant evaluation factors, in the relative order of importance are (i) technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government's requirement including delivery date; (ii) past performance; and (iii) price (based on FOB Destination), technical and past performance are more important than price. EVALUATIONS & AWARD FACTORS - The contract resulting from this solicitation will be awarded to the responsible party whose offer, conforming to the solicitation, is determined most advantageous to the government, cost and other factors considered. Each proposal shall respond to each of the evaluation factors identified below. With the exception of past performance, a technical evaluation will be performed on each proposal based solely on the information furnished and not on previous knowledge and associations. The evaluation factors are as follows: (1) Technical Evaluation Factors: A) All proposals will be rated by comparing descriptive literature against the salient characteristics. B) Delivery/Installation. C) Training, D) Warranty: Explain all details of the warranty. If an extended warranty is available explain details of extended warranty including price and availability after initial warranty expires. The Offeror shall extend to the Government the full coverage of any standard commercial warranty normally offered in a similar commercial sale, provided such warranty is available at no additional cost to the Government. Acceptance of the standard commercial warranty does not waive the Government's rights under the Inspection clause nor does it limit the Government's right with regard to the other terms and conditions of this contract. In the event of a conflict, the terms and conditions of the contract shall take precedence over the standard commercial warranty. The contractor shall provide a copy of its standard commercial warranty (if applicable) with this response. Any amendment and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Internet site: http://www.eps.gov. Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of those documents related to this procurement. Furnish proposals to Randa Plotner, no later than 2:00 pm on September 22, 2005. Proposals and other requested documents may be provided by facsimile to (217)244-7703 or to e-mail address: [email protected] if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Contracting Officer below.

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