Ebsd/EDS system upgrade

Special Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Procurement.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE.

THIS IS A NOTICE OF THE GOVERNMENT'S INTENT TO ISSUE A SOLE SOURCE AWARD.

This Notice is to announce that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Denver Microbeam Laboratory (Geology Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center) is proposing to negotiate a contract with Oxford Instruments America, Inc, on a sole source basis. One (1) new combined electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS).

The proposed action is for products for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The reason justifying this sole source procurement is that the Government believes only one responsible source can provide the services that will satisfy the agency's requirement.

Oxford Instruments America¿s UNITY backscatter electron and X-ray Detector (P/N 51N7002) are required with the following minimum salient characteristics:

1. Instrument shall be capable of simultaneous imaging of the morphology, average Z, and constituent elements of structures, phases, and features in a sample.

2. Instrument shall allow for geometry to be optimized to maximize signal and minimize shadowing for viewing large range of magnifications.

3. Sensors shall have temperature stabilization for reliable and high sensitivity signal collection.

4. Instrument shall be capable of operating accelerated voltage range between 5¿20 kV.

5. Instrument shall include software with instructions for end-user familiarization.

6. Hardware shall include detector, PC, and 27¿ widescreen LCD display.

This is a sole source notice published for informational purposes only and not a request for competitive quotes. Therefore, no solicitation document exists for this requirement. However, all responsible parties interested in responding to this notice are invited to submit a capability statement by the time and date specified in this notice that provides sufficient details for consideration by the Government, via email to: ldwilliams@usgs.gov.

The determination not to compete the contract based on the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Phone calls will not be accepted in response to this notice. All information submitted should support the offeror's capability to provide the product required and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Responses must be in writing and must provide clear and concise documentation indicating an offeror's bona fide capability to provide these services. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. The Government reserves the right to cancel this requirement.