Laser Tissue Cassette Printer

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in 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 number 12505B22Q0228 is issued as a request for quote (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2022-07. This solicitation is a 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside. The associated NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees and the PSC is 3610.The Department of Agriculture (ARS) has the need for the following product(s):001) Laser Tissue Cassette PrinterScope of Work:  The USDA-ARS National Animal Disease Center (NADC) in Ames, IA is requesting quotes for a laser tissue cassette printer to print

tissue cassettes with barcodes for animal tissue studies in histology lab.Background:Laser tissue cassette printer to print tissue cassettes with barcodes for animal tissue studies. This easy-to-use cassette printer will be utilized by many and will replace the present cassette printer in the unit.Technical Requirements: Laser tissue cassette printer that prints on 3 sides of cassette.Compact footprint not to exceed length of 12 inches, a diameter of 25 inch and a height of 22 inches.Laser printing for sharp, crisp text and 2D barcodes.Cassette printer assigns bar code compatible with information to be read by existing Aperio whole slide scanner digital pathology.Must be capable of printing on multiple manufacturer’s cassettes such as lidded, lidless, frames for auto-embedder and other manufacturer cassettes.Print speeds as fast as 5 seconds/cassette.Barcode scan rates at 99% or better.Capable of holding 6 magazines that hold up to 80 cassettes each.No additional consumables (such as filters, foil tape, light bulbs, printheads) other than cassettes are required to run the cassette printer.Shall include designed system cassette printing software.Shall include both unit installation and basic unit operational training.Travel:To the USDA-ARS NADC locate at 1920 Dayton Avenue, Building 24, Ames, IA 50010 for installation and training.Key Deliverables:Laser Tissue Cassette PrinterCassette Printing Software SystemShipping/Freight/Delivery/TransportationInstallationTrainingDelivery: Delivery, installation, and training at the USDA-ARS NADC locate at 1920 Dayton Avenue, Building 24, Ames, IA 50010 within 90 days of award.The vendor shall provide all items F.O.B: destination. Location of the Government site is aboard Ames, IA and will be identified in the contract. The Government anticipates award of a Firm Fixed Price contract.Evaluation Factors:The basis for award will be Lowest Price, Technically acceptable. The Government intends to make a single firm-fixed price award based on the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) quote received. "LPTA" means the best value is expected to result from selection of the technically acceptable quote with the lowest evaluated price. Pursuant to FAR 52.212-2, the criteria for evaluation are: (1) Price; (2) Technical Requirements. The lowest priced quote will be evaluated first; if NOT found acceptable, the next lowest priced quote will be evaluated, and so on until a technically acceptable quote is identified. The government will NOT review higher priced quotes if the lowest priced quote is determined to be technically acceptable. For quoted products to be considered technically acceptable, they must meet ALL of the technical requirements identified in this solicitation.Submitting a Quote:Failure to demonstrate compliance with all instructions presenter herein will constitute sufficient cause to reject a quote without further discussions. All responsible sources may submit a quote which will be put into considered for award.Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote in accordance with FAR 52.212-1. The applicable FAR clauses and provisions that apply to this acquisition are included with the attached quote submission form (SF1449). The Government anticipates award of one Firm Fixed Price Contract.To be eligible for an award, all contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) with a current and active registration. A contractor can contact SAM by calling 1-866-606-8220 or e-mail at www.sam.gov. NO EXCEPTIONS. A Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number is required in order to register. Vendor must also include their UEI# on their quote.The submission and payment of invoices on the resulting contract will be made through the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP). As such, contractors must be currently registered or register in IPP in order to be able to submit and receive payment on invoices for the resulting award.Offerors responding to this announcement shall submit their quote on SF1449 (see attached) and provide completed FAR provisions. The quoted price(s) should include all fees, delivery charges, and/or surcharges. This will be a tax-exempt purchase.Questions in regards to this combined synopsis/solicitation must be submitted through email (NO calls with questions will be accepted) and are due by NO later than 5:00 PM CT on Wednesday, September 14, 2022. Answers to any questions received by that time will be posted as an amendment to this combined synopsis/solicitation. No questions will be answered after this date unless determined to be in the best interest of the Government.Only electronic submissions made via email will be accepted (NO phone calls or quotes submitted by USPS mail will be accepted). Please email all quotes in writing on the SF1449 with completed FAR provisions to aaron.dimeo@usda.gov by NO later than Monday, September 19, 2022 at 5:00 PM Central Time (CT).Note: Be absolutely certain to reference the RFQ number “12505B22Q0228” and/or title of the solicitation “Laser Tissue Cassette Printer” in the subject, body, and/or attachments on your quote submission email to ensure your submission can be located and attributed to this solicitation. Failure to do so could potentially result in your submission being deemed “unresponsive” and as a result your quote may NOT be put into consideration for award (as your quote may NOT be located when searching the recipients email to ensure all responses to the solicitation have been logged before making an award determination).