This notice 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. The solicitation number for this solicitation is RML-RFQ-3042. The solicitation documents and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2001-15 dated 07/24/03. This acquisition will be processed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) and is not a Small Business Set-Aside. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 and the small business size is 500. The Rocky Mountain Laboratories, RML, Laboratory of Human Bacterial Pathogenesis (LHBP) performs research on multiple, diverse human bacterial pathogens and the host/bacterial response during infection. The LHBP has purchased a custom designed, multi-genome GeneChip probe array specific to RML needs, containing the following bacterial genomes: Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia pestis, Borrelia burgdorferi and Coxiella burnettii and Chlamydia trachomatis from Affymetrix. This chip is unique and specific to RML. These gene chips will be used in RML experiments to analyze the bacterial response during host infection. The LHBP intends to purchase 4 lots of custom probe arrays, at 90 chips per lot. The multi-genome GeneChip probe array must enable identification of 2-fold or greater levels of change in expression levels, and detection of as little as 1 mRNA transcript in a complex mixture of 100,000. The GeneChip probe array must contain multiple unique probes designed to be Perfect Match (PM), 25-mer oligonucleotide probe pairs, to represent each mRNA transcript (full length gene) tested, and multiple probes designed to be Mis-Match (MM), to enable calibration of non-specific hybridization data (USPNos.5527681). Additional control sequences (yeast and commensal) must also be available on the chip for hybridization control, and housekeeping gene analysis. The probe selection strategy for the multi-genome custom GeneChip probe array must be based upon a probe design database and must be able to distinguish between highly homologous sequences and those of closely related gene families, strains, species and genus of bacteria. The multi-genome custom GeneChip probe array will be housed in a fixed volume reaction chamber providing automated and consistent hybridization of samples to the array. The chips processed by NIAID are in Frederick, MD containing the Affymetrix GeneArray Scanner, Fluidics Station, 640 Hybridization Oven, Micro Array Suite/Data Mining Tool, MicroDB, and LIMS software database. The photolithography-based chip, must be compatible with the Affymetrix system currently in place in Frederick, MD. There is no photolithography-based chip processing system on site at RML. FOB Point shall be Destination, Hamilton, MT. Inside delivery shall be 60 days after receipt of order (ARO). Delivery location is Rocky Mountain Laboratories, 903 South Fourth Street, Hamilton, MT. The following FAR provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition: 52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors?Commercial; FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation?Commercial Items; FAR 52-212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions?Commercial Items; FAR 52-212.5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statues or Executive Orders?Commercial Items; FAR 52.246-2 Inspection of Supplies-Fixed Price. Offerors must include along with their offer a completed copy of the provisions at FAR 52.212-3 Offerors Representations and Certifications?Commercial Items. Award will be based on the capability of the item offered to meet the above stated salient characteristics, delivery, price and past performance. Offers may be mailed or faxed to the POC indicated above (Fax 406-363-9288). Offers must be submitted not later than 4:30 PM (MDST), 08/11/03. Copies of the above-referenced clauses are available upon request, either by telephone or fax. All responsible sources may submit an offer that will be considered by this Agency.

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