Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) system Maintenance Plan

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

This special notice is prepared in accordance with the Defense FAR Supplement Procedures, Guidance, and Information (R-DFARS PGI) 206.103-170 (d). The contracting office for this notice is the 10th Contracting Squadron, USAF Academy, CO 80840.

The requirement is for the acquisition of a comprehensive equipment maintenance, calibration, preventive maintenance, and repair services package for a Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) system (including Mass Spectrometer, Liquid Chromatography system, Gas Generator, and proprietary software diagnostic support). The NAICS code for this requirement is 811210. The size standard as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration is $34.0 Million.

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award a sole source commercial contract using simplified procedures in accordance with RFO part 12 to:

AB SCIEX LLC, 1201 Radio Rd, Redwood City, CA 94065-1348, USA.

The Government has deemed AB SCIEX LLC to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance.

a. Only one responsible source and no other will satisfy the USAFA requirement.

b. AB SCIEX LLC is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the only approved source for this LC-MS system maintenance, proprietary software updates, and warranty-compliant calibration. All support and authentic replacement parts must come from AB SCIEX LLC.

c. This request is issued for the US Air Force Academy. Anticipated award on 30 Sep 2026 as a Firm Fixed Price Contract. The Period of Performance will be for a Base Year: 30 Sep 2026 through 29 Sep 2027, plus four (4) 1-year option periods.

The contracting officer has determined that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source to be reasonably available IAW the authority found at RFO 6.103-1 and 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1).

A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE POSTED. Based on the market research conducted, the Government intends to proceed with this sole source action. This synopsis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement. Interested concerns must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government.

The point of contact to send responses and questions to is the Contracting Officer, Melinda Lingley at melinda.lingley@us.af.mil.

Responses and questions shall be submitted no later than 10:00 AM, MST on 14 September 2026. Responses received after this will be considered late and will not be evaluated.

Contractors must have a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) at http://sam.gov/. The Government bears no legal liability for any costs incurred by responding to this notice.

OMBUDSMAN

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman,

James Anderson

8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103

USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone number 719-333-3829

FAX 719-333-9018

Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.