Neptune Multi-Collector ICPS-MS Repair and Maintenance Services

The Office of Acquisition and Agreement Management (OAAM), of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on behalf of the Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with Thermo Electron North America LLC, under the authority of 41 US 3304(a)(1), for repair and maintenance of a Neptune Multi-Collector Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. The service contract shall be for a base period of one year with one one-year option period.

To fulfill its mission, the CSD requires a service contract for the aforementioned Neptune ICP-MS so that the instrument may continue to operate without extended interruption and achieve its optimal performance.

Sole source determination is based on the following:
The Neptune ICP-MS contains equipment and electronics that are proprietary to Thermo Electron North America. Thermo Electron North America has proprietary knowledge of all component parts, spare parts, software, technical support, software updates and instrument design required to keep the instrument operating in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications. Thermo Electron North America has no authorized resellers or service providers. Thermo Electron North America field service engineers are the only certified and factory trained engineers available and authorized to service the instrument. Therefore, only Thermo Electron North America can supply the required service, maintenance, and parts that will be fully compatible with the equipment and meet the original manufacturer's specifications. In addition, the instrument's critical software updates and schematics are not available to the general public.

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 811219 - Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance. The small business size standard is $20.5M.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responses received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on August 21, 2015 will be considered by the Government.