Brand Name or Equal Ergonomic stereo digital microscope

This Synopsis is hereby amended to provide feedback to questions raised by potential quoters. The due date for quotation has not been changed. Questions: Are all the items listed on the bid spec required for the end users application or is that a generic sole source document for the microscope? We find that more often than not the “specs” the system is bid on is more than what the end user needs for their application and includes just a generic list of all unique items for that microscope from the manufacturer. Does end user really want all of those objectives? For example we could do that range using less objectives. Is a computer required for image capture? It has a floating stage on specifications, we have either a gliding stage and/or cup stage that our customers like using. Our specialist is reviewing the requirements for solicitation # 1333ND21QNB640192 (Brand Name or Equal Ergonomic stereo digital microscope), and is requesting clarification on the following points. Can you please assist? From the required specifications: 3. The microscope may have an eyepiece but must allow viewing (mono or stereo) of the sample without the eyepiece. - Just to make sure, does this section refer to having a camera on the stereo microscope? 4. The microscope shall include a power supply unit for top-down illumination. Do they mean that the stereo microscope should have both transmitted and incident light (also known as Diascopic and Episcopic illumination)? 6. A floating stage - Do they need a stage that can be moved on the X,Y axis? They mention (in requirement#8) that it must have a transmitted substage illumination. Such illumination will be block with a moving stage NIST's response: If the vendors have a system that can meet specifications and is therefore equal to the EVO system, they should propose that system. There may be several creative ways to meet the specs that NIST would be pleased to consider. This would include the optical objectives specified. If a camera and computer are needed to allow viewing of a specimen without using an eyepiece, then the vendor should include these. NIST will consider gliding stages and cup stages instead of a floating stage, as long as they are described adequately. The specs require top-down illumination, which includes the power supply. This is for reflected light only. We are not requiring bottom-up transmitted illumination although the stand needs to be compatible with this functionality should we have a future need. COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION Brand Name or Equal Ergonomic stereo digital microscope This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 – Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; quotations are being requested, and a separate written solicitation document will not be issued. This solicitation is being issued under the authority of FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The due date for quotation is April 28th 2021, 1:00pm EST This solicitation is a Request for Quotations (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2021-03 effective February 16th, 2021. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement shall be 334516 - Analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1000 employees. This acquisition is being procured as a 100% small business set aside, Brand Name or equal competition. The NIST, The Materials Measurement Science Division at NIST requires an ergonomic stereo microscope with camera for inspection and digital archiving of trace materials prepared by inkjet printing. This microscope will facilitate mission critical work to address key stakeholder needs pertaining to the development and implementation of standards for trace detection of drugs and explosives. BRAND NAME or EQUAL The Ergonomic stereo digital microscope manufactured by Vision Engineering Inc of New Milford, CT has been identified as being capable of meeting all of the Government requirements. ITEM: DESCRIPTION: BTS-VIS-LE1 Lynx EVO System, Complete Offerors may propose another item but must include with their proposal documentation that demonstrates that it meets the specifications. Documentation must include drawings, diagrams, brochures or other literature that demonstrates these salient characteristics. Failure to provide such documentation will cause the proposal to be unacceptable. Responsible quoters shall provide pricing for the following Line Items: Line Item 0001 : Ergonomic stereo digital microscope with installation and training meeting the salient characteristics within the attached Requirements document. DELIVERY Delivery: Shall be FOB DESTINATION and shall occur within 60 days. However, due to current to access restrictions delivery shall not take place until the contractor coordinates with the designated Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) and Contracting Officer (CO). Prior to shipment, the Contractor must ensure NISTs campus is open and accepting deliveries. If the restrictions of access to the campus impacts delivery schedules, a modification may be executed by the CO to establish an extended delivery timeframe. The items shall be shipped F.O.B. Destination to: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY 100 Bureau Dr. Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640 FOB DESTINATION MEANS: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for loss of and/or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at the delivery point specified in the purchase order; and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery. ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA AND PAYMENT Government Acceptance: Acceptance will occur after the Government Technical Point of Contact has confirmed that all minimum requirements in this document have been met. Payment: Advance payment is not authorized. Partial Payments are not authorized. The contractor may submit and invoice after Government acceptance has occurred. Questions regarding this Synopsis/Solicitation can be emailed to [email protected] EVALUATION CRITERIA AND BASIS FOR AWARD The Government intends to award a purchase order resulting from this solicitation to the responsible quoter whose quotation, conforming to the solicitation, is the lowest price, technically acceptable quotation. Technically acceptable means that the Contractor’s provide equipment meeting the minimum requirements in the requirements document. Price will be evaluated for all quoters whose quotations are determined technically acceptable. Price will be evaluated to determine that total price is consistent with the technical portion of the quotation and is a fair and reasonable overall price to the Government. The Contracting Officer may, if necessary, request revised quotation(s) prior to award. REQUIRED SUBMISSIONS All Contractors shall submit the following: For the purpose of evaluation of Technical Acceptability: Quoters shall provide documentation that demonstrates the quoted product’s ability to meet or exceed the minimum specifications in accordance with the requirements document. For the purpose of Price: Quoters shall provide firm-fixed price quotations for Line Items Quoters shall include a completed copy of all required solicitation provisions contained in the attached Applicable Provisions/Clauses document (required provisions are highlighted) Any award resulting from this solicitation will contain the following statement: “The Government’s terms and conditions, identified herein, shall be the prevailing terms and conditions governing this award. In the event of a conflict between the Government’s and contractor’s terms and conditions, the Government’s terms and conditions take precedence.” If the Contractor objects to any of the terms and conditions contained in this solicitation, the contractor shall state “The terms and conditions in the solicitation are acceptable to be included in the award document with the exception, deletion, or addition of the following:” [Contractor shall list exception(s) and rationale for the exception(s)]. It is the sole responsibility of the Contractor to identify in their quote any exceptions to the terms and conditions of the solicitation. If the contractor does not include such a statement, the submission of a quotation in response to this solicitation will be regarded as the Contractor’s acceptance of the Government’s terms and conditions for inclusion into the resultant purchase order as prevailing. Quoters shall provide an active DUNS # for the System for Award Management (SAM) registration. Quoters must have an active registration at www.SAM.Gov in order to be technically evaluated. Offerors may propose another item but must include with their proposal documentation that demonstrates that it meets the specifications. Documentation must include drawings, diagrams, brochures or other literature that demonstrates these minimum requirements. Failure to provide documentation will cause the proposal to be unacceptable. Please note that this procurement IS NOT being conducted under the GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) program or another Government-Wide Area Contract (GWAC). If a contractor submits a quotation based upon an FSS or GWAC contract, the Government will accept the quoted price. However, the terms and conditions stated herein will be included in any resultant Purchase Order, not the terms and conditions of the contractor’s FSS or GWAC contract, and the statement required above shall be included in the quotation; PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES: The clauses and provisions applicable to this solicitation can be found under Applicable Clauses & Provisions. The full text of a FAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at https://farsite.hill.af.mil or www.acquisition.gov/far. The full text of a CAR provision or clause may be accessed electronically at https://farsite.hill.af.mil or http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/. ATTACHMENTS: The following attachments apply to this solicitation: 1. The Requirements Document 2. Applicable Clauses & Provisions