The U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA, and the Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC) intend to solicit from Benetec, Inc. for the purchase of Otolith Processing Equipment that includes the following items: 1) Resin Casting Molds - OTO 910; 2) Mounting Station - OTO 914; 3) Mini Fume Hood for Slide Preparation - OTO 919; 4) Starter Kit for Resin Mounting-OTO 925; 5) Mounting Station Complete (OTO-919, OTO-925, OTO-921); 6) OTO-Labcut 250 Floor Standing Abrasive Cutting Machine; 7) Additional Sectional Blade; 8) Leveling Station- OTO 911; 9) Stereo Viewing Station - OTO 940; and installation, travel, packing and delivery. This equipment is used for embedding, sectioning and mounting Otoliths for fish aging studies. This item is being purchased for the SEFSC, to be delivered to NOAA/National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Panama City Branch 3500 Delwood Beach Road, Panama City, FL. Benetec, Inc. is the only known manufacturer of Otolith preparation/processing equipment that allows for up to 50 Otoliths to be prepared and processed at one time instead of individual processing. The methodology is based on the preparation of very thin smooth sections of embedded Otoliths. This leads to excellent image quality in age determination and makes automated analysis possible. The procedure involves preparation of resin blocks with embedded Otoliths. The sectioning of the embedded blocks will get thin sections with smooth surfaces, mounting, and viewing of the thin sections for aging. The intended procurement is for supplies for which the Government intends to acquire under the guidelines of FAR Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This is not a request for proposals and there is no solicitation available at this time. However, all responses received within 7 calendar days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. The Government reserves the right to solicit bids based on the receipt of affirmative responses to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. In order to be considered, furnish detailed information concerning their capability to provide this product. Interested firms must submit support documents if providing or proposing to provide other than the specified item referenced above that meets the same fit, form and function as the Benetec, Inc. Otolith processing equipment as referenced above. In order to be considered, firms must furnish detailed information concerning their capabilities to supply the equipment. Interested firms should submit its name, address, point of contact, telephone number, and a brief statement regarding its capability to provide the specified equipment. Also include the name, telephone number, and point of contact for businesses or other Government agency to which it has previously provided the item. Offerors may send their proposal to email address [email protected] or fax to 816-274-6952 ATTN: Karen Christian. The NAICS code for this requirement is 334519. All contractors doing business with the Eastern Region Acquisition Division (ERAD) must be registered with the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) or certification with the Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA). For information and to register, please access the following websites: http://www.ccr.gov/ and http://www.bpn.gov. In order to register with the CCR offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/product/eupdate/requestOptions.html or by phone at (800) 333-0505.

 

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