Intent to award to single source - agilent

NOAA's NMFS, Alaska Fisheries Science Center intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), to Agilent Technologies, for annual , for Annual preventative maintenance services for the Tape Station, to include three option periods.

The Auke Bay Laboratories Genetics Program uses a plethora of next-generation sequencing protocols,  including but not limited to environmental DNA (eDNA), Genotyping-in-Thousands by sequencing (GT seq), and restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq), all of which are run on an Agilent  Technologies TapeStation instrument for DNA quality and integrity. Annual preventative maintenance on  this instrument by highly-trained specialist engineers is crucial for continued production of high-quality,  reproducible next-generation sequencing for fish species identification and genetic stock identification,  which are crucial to our agency’s mission.  

Award will be for annual preventative maintenance service contract (with three additional option years)  for the TapeStation. The service requirement is to include full support within 72 hours for all parts failures  due to normal wear and tear (parts, labor, travel), one preventative maintenance visit per year (parts, labor,  travel), unlimited software and firmware updates, and unlimited telephone support. Preventative maintenance  includes travel to and from the site, annual inspection, re-calibration, performance verification of  subassembly and electro-mechanical components, and certification that the instrument is performing to  specifications.  

Third party service providers will not be considered.  Having a direct source to Agilent, the sole source, available for TapeStation repairs and maintenance, is in the federal government’s best fiscal interest, and allows the Genetics Program to continue production of high quality, reproducible next-generation sequencing for fish species identification and genetic stock  identification in a timely and efficient process. 

Single Source Justification:  Only one source is capable of providing the services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized. Agilent Technologies is the manufacturer of the TapeStation and is the only company that services and provides supplies for the this platform. The TapeStation is highly specialized scientific equipment used in our genetics laboratory.. 

Award for this requirement will be in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13. Anticipated value will be under the Simplified acquisition procedures with an estimated value of less than $150,000.00. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy these requirement. 

Questions regarding this notification can be emailed to the attention of Heather Mahle at heather.mahle@noaa.gov.   Subject line should include reference number ABL-23086.