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-14-0003 is being issued as a Request for Quotes (RFQ) using full and open competition. This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-74. 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 a bench-top fermentation system to support the Bioenergy Research Unit. The salient characteristics for the bench-top fermentation system are as follows:

1) The system must have a single controller for independent control of a minimum of four (4) culture vessels


2) Have independent control of pH, gassing, dosing, heating/cooling and agitation for a minimum of Four (4) VESSELS


3) The system must have continuous controlled feeds with at least two (2) lines/vessel

4) The working volume must be as low as 60ml and as high as 250ml

5) Must have PC interface capabilities and provide dedicated PC for the system, with software and licenses included and operate in Windows
environment and have USB ports


6) The system must have variable speed drive motors for independent control to each vessel

7) For mixing solids-containing cultures, the system needs to have an over-head drive capable of 3000 RPM

8) The system must have a Peltier cooling temperature control system because the temperature must be precisely controlled during fermentations

9) The system must be expandable with potential for up to approximately 24 fermentation vessels controlled independently in parallel


10) The system must continuously monitor readings of pH and pO2 for all vessels; and must regulatepH by automatic addition of base/acid and pO2 by controlled gas flow

11) Must use standard pH and pO2 sensors

12 Must have the capacity for seamless integration of off-gas analyzing system with control software

13) On-site training/installation and follow-up support for protocol design

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, unit price per item, total price and valid for at least 60 days after receipt of quote; 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/far

REJECTION OF QUOTATION: Failure to demonstrate compliance will be cause to reject the quote without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit an offer with will be considered.

The following provisions and clauses apply to this acquisition and can be found in full text at http://www.acquisition.gov/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.sam.gov; provide on quote business DUNS number, 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 52.240-10, Reporting Executive Compensation and First Tier Subcontract Awards, Far 52.222-3, Convict Labor (E.O 11755), FAR 52-222-19, Child Labor, FAR 52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities, FAR 52.222-26, Equal Opportunity, FAR 52.222-35, Equal Opportunity of Veterans, FAR 52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities, FAR 52.222-37, Employment Reports on Special Disabled Veterans, FAR 52.225-1, Buy American Certificate, FAR 52.225-13, Restriction on Certain Foreign Purchases, FAR 52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer-central Contractor Registration (31 U.S.C. 3332), far 52.232.36, Payment by Third Party (31U.S.C. 3332), and FAR 52.233-3 Protest After Award. The FAR clauses may be viewed at http://www.acquisition.gov/comp/far/loadmainre.html

DELIVERY: FOB Destination. Delivery to: USDA-ARS-NCAUR, Peoria, Illinois. QUOTE PRICE MUST INCLUDE any installation, 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.

FAR52.212-2, 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-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 Chris Gunterman, Contracting Officer, USDA, ARS, MWA, 1815 N. University St. Peoria, IL 61604, no later than 2pm, July 28, 2014. Quotes and other requested documents may be provided by email to [email protected] or facsimile to (309) 681-6473 if desired. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Contracting Officer at (309) 681-6481.