(b) Any offeror who has not previously furnished to the Government the items called for under this solicitation, or substantially similar items, may be requested to submit samples to the Government prior to award at no cost to the Government. Samples must be submitted within the time specified by the Government and must be produced by the offeror or its designated subcontractor at the place of performance identified by the offeror in this solicitation. Together with the pre-award samples, the offeror shall submit its protocol consisting of an analysis of materials and test data which establishes that the offered item conforms to all design and performance characteristics specified in this solicitation. Additional pre-award samples and contractor-supplied protocol will not be accepted or requested if the original samples and protocol are not satisfactory.
(c) Samples will be shipped to Defense Supply Center Philadelphia, Directorate of Medical Materiel Laboratory, ATTN: Code MQA, 700 Robbins Avenue, Phila., Pa. 19111-5092, unless otherwise directed by the contracting officer. In the submission of samples:
(1) Samples and protocol, consisting of test data and analysis of materials, shall be submitted at no cost to the Government within 15 calendar days after receipt by the offeror of the Government's request for such samples. NOTE: Offerors are cautioned that the submission time is vital to the Government in making a timely award. Offerors must be prepared to submit samples and protocol timely, as late receipt may render the offer ineligible for award.
(2) The contracting officer shall advise the offeror of the results of the evaluation by written notice within _________calendar days after receipt of the sample.
(d) The samples referred to in the preceding paragraphs are not bid samples; rather, these samples are for the purpose of establishing the offeror's capability, if awarded a contract, to produce items conforming to the specifications. Failure to furnish the requested number of
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samples within the time specified above, failure to furnish samples conforming to the specifications, or failure to furnish the protocol, consisting of test data and analysis of materials required by the preceding paragraph, may result in rejection of the offer. Offerors
are cautioned that upon receipt of any award hereunder, they are obliged to deliver supplies which comply with the specifications regardless of whether any sample submitted hereunder deviates in any way from the specification requirements.
(End of Provision)
