This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR 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 No. AG-51LA-S-11-AA02 is being issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ). This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-52. The NAICS code applicable to this acquisition is 334516. For a company to qualify as a small business, the small business standard is 500 employees or less. The USDA, ARS, MWA, NCAUR, Peoria, IL has a requirement/need for a contractor to provide an automated microbiology growth curve analysis system. The details and specifications for the automated microbiology growth curve analysis system are as follows: (a) the instrument must be specifically designed for bacteria and yeast growth curve experiments; (b) the instrument must be designed with heating elements above and below the plate to prevent liquid condensation on the lid during extended incubations; (c) the instrument must be capable of determining growth curves for anaerobic (in the absence of atmospheric oxygen) as well as aerobic bacteria and yeast; (d) must be capable of precise incubation control with a variation of no more than +/- 0.1ºC; (e) must have multiple wavelength capability (transmission); (f) able to measure growth in up to 200 independent bacterial cultures.

DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE: Offerors shall submit 2 copies of the descriptive literature (with pictures) describing their proposed equipment with enough detail to ascertain whether the equipment meets the criteria listed above.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN QUOTE: In order to be considered for award Offerors shall provide 1) a Quote on company letterhead detailing the item description, and unit price per item and total price; 2) at least 3 to 5 references. (Government references preferred but will accept commercial references). References shall be provided for the service proposed and if possible include the email address of the person to be contacted; and 3) 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.acquisition.gov/comp/far/loadmainre.html. REJECTION OF QUOTATION: Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quote without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit an offer which will be considered. The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and can be found in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html. FAR 52.252-1, Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference are as follows: FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items; FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications Commercial Items (Provide with Quote); 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. The following FAR clauses cited in 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders - Commercial Items are applicable to this acquisition: FAR 52.222-3, 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; 52.225-2, Buy American Act Certificate ; 52.225-13, Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases; 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer - Central Contractor Registration (31 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.acquisition.gov/comp/far/loadmainre.html.

DELIVERY: FOB Destination. DELIVERY TO: USDA-ARS-MWA-NCAUR, Peoria, IL. QUOTE 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 60 days ARO, 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 requirement including delivery date; (ii) past performance; and (iii) price (based on F.O.B. Destination), technical and past performance are more important than price. Award will be made based on overall BEST VALUE to the Government. EVALUATION & 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 Quote shall respond to each of the evaluation factors identified below. With the exception of past performance, a technical evaluation will be performed on each quote based solely on the information furnished and not on previous knowledge or associations. The evaluation factors are as follows: (1) Technical Evaluation Factors: A) All quotes will be rated against the technical capability of the item offered to meet the Government requirement. B) Delivery. Any amendment and documents related to this procurement will be available electronically at the Internet site: http://www.fbo.gov. Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of those documents related to this procurement, if any. Furnish Quotes to Sofia M. Basso, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, MWA, NCAUR, 1815 N. University St., Peoria, IL 61604, no later than 2:00 p.m., July 21, 2011. Quotes and other requested documents may be provided by facsimile to (309) 681-6473 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Contracting Officer at (309) 681-6481 or email below.

Bid Protests Not Available