Bruker D2 x-RAY diffractometer spectrometer

THIS IS A Sources Sought Notice ONLY.  The U.S. Government currently intends to award a contract for Bruker D2 X-ray Diffractometer Spectrometers on an SOLE SOURCE basis, but is seeking vendors that may be able to perform this requirement in order to support a competitive procurement.  Accordingly, the U.S. Government highly encourages all interested businesses (large and small) to respond to this sources sought notice.  In addition, small businesses, in all socioeconomic categories (including, 8(a) Business Development Program, Small Disadvantage Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Women-Owned Small Business concerns), must describe their identifying capabilities in meeting the requirements at a fair market price, i.e., information which may help support a set-aside.

Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

The proposed sole source Firm Fixed Price contract to Bruker AXS LLC for Bruker D2 X-ray Diffractometer Spectrometers.  The statutory authority for the sole source procurement is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1): For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), only one source reasonably available, urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand name, or industrial mobilization. 

This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ)/Invitation for Bid (IFB)/Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFQ, IFB or RFP in the future.  This notice does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any supply or service.  Further, the U.S. Government is not seeking quotes, bids or proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals in response to this sources sought notice.  The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice.  Submittals will not be returned to the responder.  A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government.  However, if a competitive solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Governmentwide Point of Entry.  It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor the Governmentwide Point of Entry for additional information pertaining to this requirement.  The NAICS code is: 334516

ITEM(S) NEEDED:

2 EACH - D2 PHASER - X-RAY DIFFRACTOMETER SPECTROMETERS

(SEE ATTACHED END ITEMS LIST FOR ALL COMPONENTS)

In response to this sources sought, including any capability statement, shall be electronically submitted to the Contract Specialist, Devin Knight, in either Microsoft Word or Portable Document Format (PDF), via email devin.knight.civ@mail.mil please provide:

1.  Name of the firm, point of contact, phone number, email address, Unique Identifier number, CAGE code, a statement regarding small business status (including small business type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) and the corresponding NAICS code.  If the company has a GSA Schedule provide the schedule number.

2.  Identify whether your firm is interested in competing for this requirement as a prime contractor or not.  Identify subcontracting, joint ventures or teaming arrangement that will be pursued, if any.

3.  Identify what percentage of work will be performed by the small business prime contractor and all similarly situated entity subcontractors.  Note: In accordance with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting (DEVIATION 2019-O0003) “Similarly situated entity” means a first-tier subcontractor, including an independent contractor, that has the same small business program status as that which qualified the prime contractor for the award and that is considered small for the NAICS code the prime contractor assigned to the subcontract the subcontractor will perform.  An example of a similarly situated entity is a first-tier subcontractor that is a HUBZone small business concern for a HUBZone set-aside. 

4. Identify type(s)/certifications(s) such as SDB, 8(a), HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.) of the proposed subcontractors.

5.  Information in sufficient detail regarding previous experience (indicate whether as a prime contractor or subcontractor) on similar requirements (include size, scope, complexity, timeframe, government or commercial), pertinent certifications, etc., that will facilitate making a capability determination. 

6.  Identify how the Army can best structure these contract requirements to facilitate competition by and among small business concerns.

7.  Recommendations to improve the approach/specifications/draft PWS/PRS to acquiring the identified items/services.

8.  Identify any condition or action that may be having the effect of unnecessarily restricting competition with respect to this acquisition.  Please contact the MICC Advocate for Competition, Scott Kukes, at scott.d.kukes.civ@mail.mil or 210-466-2269, if you believe that this action is unreasonably restricting competition.  Include the subject of the acquisition, this announcement, and the MICC POC information from the Sam.gov notice.  Provide the specific aspects that unreasonably restrict competition and the rationale for such conclusion.