The Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU) is the Nation's federal health sciences university and is committed to excellence in military medicine and public health during peace and war. We provide the Nation with health professionals dedicated to career service in the Department of Defense and the United States Public Health Service and with scientists who serve the common good. We serve the uniformed services and the Nation as an outstanding academic health sciences center with a worldwide perspective for education, research, service, and consultation; we are unique in relating these activities to military medicine, disaster medicine, and military medical readiness. USU is located in Bethesda, MD on the grounds of the Naval Support Activity Bethesda.

Additional information regarding USU can be found on our website: www.usuhs.mil.

USU has a requirement for a Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 microscopy system.

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items 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. This is a request for quotes (RFQ) for commercial items in accordance with the procedures of FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This RFQ incorporates all provisions and clauses in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular FAC 2005-82, effective May 7, 2015 and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), effective April 20, 2015.

This requirement is subject to the non-manufacturer rule. This requirement is not set-aside for small businesses.

Offerors interested in responding to this requirement must provide a quote for a Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 microscopy system that best meets the specifications listed below. A single firm-fixed price (FFP) purchase order (PO) will be issued. Offerors are encouraged to submit multiple quotes for a Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 microscopy system, which will be evaluated separately by the Government. Competition is limited to the Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 microscopy system, IAW FAR subpart 13.106-1(b):

(b) Soliciting from a single source.

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold.

(i) Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name, or industrial mobilization).

The Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 will replace the existing Zeiss Axiovert 200 and we plan to continue to use the existing components, including objectives, prisms, the XY-motorized scanning stage, filter cubes, etc. Due to compatibility issues, we are only interested in purchasing the Zeiss Axio Observer.Z1 microscopy system.

Quotes for alternatives microscopy system will not be considered.

Refer to the CLIN Structure attachment for the complete list of required components.

USU will consider purchasing the installation service, training, and extended warranty provided by Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Inc. (OEM); therefore, interested offerors must also offer these services through the OEM. We would like to purchase an extended warranty to cover this system as long as possible under a single purchase. Please remember to include the details of your offered extended warranty terms.

This is a first-time purchase and we do not have any related previous purchase order information.

Evaluation / Award Detail:

The Government intends to award a single firm-fixed price (FFP) purchase order (PO) on the basis of Lowest-Price Technically-Acceptable (LPTA) source selection process.

The government reserves the right to award without discussions.

Offerors must also submit a copy of the completed CLIN Structure spreadsheet* in the quote package. Those offerors who fail to provide this copy in the quote package may be deemed nonresponsive.

* Refer to the attached CLIN Structure spreadsheet.

CLIN 0001: A complete Zeiss Observer.Z1 microscopy system
CLIN 0002: Installation
CLIN 0003: Training
CLIN 0004: Extended Warranty

The Federal Government prefers not to use third-party-payment merchants, e.g. PayPal, to exchange currencies. This is because these merchants can mask the actual merchant/vendor and impede the Government's effort to promote transparency. If these third-party-payment merchants must be used, offeror must include a compelling justification in the quote package. This will be considered as a part of the Price evaluation factor.

See attached list for applicable provisions and clauses for this requirement.

Offerors must also submit the following required provisions with their quote:
a. Completed copy of provision 252.209-7992
b. Completed copy of provision 252.225-7035
c. Completed copy of provision 52.222-48

Quoted items must be new. Quotes for refurbished equipment will not be considered.

Offerors must also indicate in quote where item is manufactured.

Items will be shipped to Bethesda, MD.

Deadlines:

Questions/clarifications regarding this solicitation must be submitted via email to [email protected] by 2:00PM ET on May 19, 2015. Any question received after 2:00PM ET on May 19, 2015 will not be answered. Questions will not be answered over the phone or submitted by any other means. All questions will be answered in an amendment to the solicitation posted on or around May 20, 2015.

Quote packages are due by 10:00PM ET on May 26, 2015. Quotes must be submitted via email to [email protected]. Quotes will not be accepted by any other means. Late quotes will not be considered. Quote packages should include a cover sheet that provides the following information:
a. Official Company Name;
b. Point-of-contact (PoC), including name, email address, and phone number;
c. DUNS Number; and
d. Statement that acknowledges the latest amendment number-only if an amendment had been issued for this RFQ.