Handheld Automatic Refractor Q&A

Reference 36C24524Q0438 Questions and Answers: Vendor question: Can you please edit the salient characteristics to allow for comparable products to be quoted?

Answer: The solicitation language will remain the same at this point. This is a brand name or equal solicitation. Vendors have the opportunity to provide quotes that meet or exceed the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics specified in this solicitation. The solicitation states: Offeror quotations must demonstrate meeting the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation, otherwise it will be considered non-responsive.

The technical specifications for this requirement are listed for Brand Name or Equal per FAR 52.211-6. Additionally, the solicitation states: Acceptability of equipment/services shall be established by review of each submitted quotation by the designated evaluator(s) and verification that any equal-to items meet the salient characteristics included in this solicitation.

Submissions to this solicitation must show clear, compelling and convincing evidence that equal-to items meet all the salient characteristics (see Attachment A). Offers that include any items that are not determined as Brand Name or Equal shall result in an unacceptable offer. See 52.211-6 Brand Name or Equal for additional information.

52.211-6 - Brand Name or Equal (Aug 1999) (a) If an item in this solicitation is identified as brand name or equal, the purchase description reflects the characteristics and level of quality that will satisfy the Government s needs.

The salient physical, functional, or performance characteristics that equal products must meet are specified in the solicitation. (b) To be considered for award, offers of equal products, including equal products of the brand name manufacturer, must (1) Meet the salient physical, functional, or performance characteristic specified in this solicitation; (2) Clearly identify the item by (i) Brand name, if any; and (ii) Make or model number; (3) Include descriptive literature such as illustrations, drawings, or a clear reference to previously furnished descriptive data or information available to the Contracting Officer; and (4) Clearly describe any modification the offeror plans to make in a product to make it conform to the solicitation requirements.

Mark any descriptive material to clearly show the modification. (c) The Contracting Officer will evaluate equal products on the basis of information furnished by the offeror or identified in the offer and reasonably available to the Contracting Officer.

The Contracting Officer is not responsible for locating or obtaining any information not identified in the offer. (d) Unless the offeror clearly indicates in its offer that the product being offered is an equal product, the offeror shall provide the brand name product referenced in the solicitation. (End of clause) These sections give information on how vendors who submit equal to brands should respond.