Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services   6

This notice announces the General Services Administration Federal Supply Service intent to solicit offers under Solicitation FCGS-y9-01-0192N, covering Worldwide Multiple Award Federal Supply Schedule FSC Group 873 for Laboratory Testing and Analysis Services. This solicitation covers a broader range of services for the scientific arena. The solicited services covered under this solicitation are: SIN 873-1 Mechanical Testing and Analysis Services (e.g., metallography, calibration, acoustic/vibration, metrology, climatic, failure analysis, forensic tests, etc..); SIN 873-2 Chemical Testing and Analysis Services (e.g., chromatography, spectroscopy, microscopy, and photometry tests, waste, water, food analysis, etc..); SIN 873-3 Electrical Testing and Analysis Services (e.g.; compliance testing, marking services; EMI/EMC testing; dielectric strength, dielectric constant, etc..); 873-4 Geotechnical and Thermal/Fire Testing and Analysis Services (e.g., construction material testing, geological , geophysical, geosynthetic, seismographic, oceanographic, meteorogical, flammability, thermal/heat testing, etc..); and SIN 873-99 Introduction of New Testing and Analysis Services (e.g., customized tests, telecom/datacom line and equipment testing and analysis, mobile laboratory services, etc..). This solicitation has been prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items which implements Title VIII of the Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) of 1994 (Public Law 103-355), the Clinger-Cohen Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-106), and the final rule, published as General Services Administration Acquisition Regulation (GSAM) Change 76, regarding commercial item acquisitions under the Multiple Award Schedule Program. The contract format and data requirements in this solicitation differ from previous solicitations. Offerors are strongly encouraged to carefully review the entire solicitation package before submission to ensure compliance with commercial item provisions. This solicitation is a standing solicitation, which allows vendors to submit offers at anytime; therefore, there is no closing date for the receipt of offers under this solicitation. This solicitation will be periodically refreshed to include new and updated provisions and instructions as they relate to the Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Program. The solicitation can be downloaded from the Internet at http://www.eps.gov. Resultant contracts will be Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ), Firm-Fixed priced with an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA). The new provision entitled GSA Advantage!, requires all schedule contractors to submit their electronic files to GSA Advantage! By July 1, 2001, or 6 months after contract award whichever is later. There is a contract sales criterion for all MAS contracts. Clause I-FSS-639 entitled, Contract Sales Criteria, states that a contract will not be awarded if the anticipated sales are not expected to exceed $25.000. Resultant contracts will be canceled unless reported sales for each 12-month period from the date of award are not $25,000 or above. Contractors are now required to accept the Government purchase card for payments equal to or less than the micro-purchase threshold for oral and written delivery orders and you are encouraged to accept the Government purchase card for payment for orders above the threshold. See GSAM Clause 552.232-77 entitled, Payment By Government Commercial Purchase Card. This solicitation contains the clause "Contractor's Report of Sales" (552.238-74), which requires the submission of sales on electronic GSA Form 72A via the Internet and the Industrial Funding Fee (IFF) (552.238-76), WHICH REQUIRES A 1% FEE DUE EVERY QUARTER, FOR SALES UNDER ANY RESULTANT CONTRACT. The IFF must be included in the offered prices to GSA under this solicitation. A new term called "Evergreen Contracting" option periods has been added to this Solicitation. The Evergreen clause provides new policies and procedures to expand the multiyear contracts for all MAS Federal Supply Schedules to a one 5-year basic contract period, with three separate 5-year option periods. The Government Contracting Officer may exercise the option to extend the contract for an additional five(5) year period, by providing a written notice to the contractor at least 150 days prior to the expiration date of the contract period. When the Government exercises its option to extend the term of this contract, option prices must be determined fair and reasonable at the time the option is exercised. The Contracting Officer will obtain a contractor statement that the basis of award customer/Most Favorite Customer (MFC) has remained the same and that pricing information provided to negotiate the contract, as well as any other pertinent information in order for the Government to determine that at the current prices are fair and reasonable. All vendors and current contractors should be award that the Evergreen Contracting option period extension can not be exercised if your electronic catalog has not been approved and posted on GSA Advantage! ATTENTION Offers are to be submitted to the following address: OVERNIGHT: GSA/FSS/FCGS Crystal Mall Bldg. #4 Room 503 , 1941 Jefferson Davis Highway, Arlington, VA 22202; REGULAR MAIL: GSA/FSS/FCGS, Crystal Mall Bldg. #4, Room 503, Washington, DC 20406. Service Contract Act Applies to All Special Item Numbers. CURRENT CONTRACTORS DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT NEW PROPOSALS.