Notice of Intent for Sole Source Award

This is a special notice prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.2 - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The contracting office for this notice is the Office of Acquisitions, National Institute for Environmental Health Science, Research Triangle Park, NC.

The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), Office of Acquisitions (OA) intends to award a single source purchase order to Malvern Panalytical, 117 Flanders Road, Westborough, MA 015810-1402, for the purchase of one (1) Zetasizer Ultra (item number ZSU5700) and the following accessories: one (1) universal dip cell kit (item number ZEN1002); one (1) high concentration Zeta Potential cell kit (item number ZEN1010); one (1) low volume quartz batch cuvette (item number ZEN2112); one (1) disposable solvent resistant micro cuvette (item number ZEN0040); and one (1) low volume disposable sizing cell kit (item number ZSU1002).
The Zetasizer Ultra is highly specialized and only available from Malvern Panalytical. This item has the following unique capabilities which meet the Government's requirements:

The item to be purchased must be able to assay particle size, concentration and zeta potential. Only the Zetasizer Ultra can also measure particle concentration by multi-angle dynamic light scattering. Another requirement is to perform assays with the minimum of sampling volume to preserve sample. The Zetasizer Ultra can perform assays with a 3-20 ul sampling volume.

The anticipated period of performance will be 30 to 60 days after receipt of order.

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334516 "Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing." Its associated Small Business Size Standard is 1,000 employees. The anticipated award price of the contract will not exceed $100,000.00 and the Government has deemed Malvern Panalytical to be a responsible contractor with respect to performance.

A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE POSTED. NIEHS will solicit and negotiate directly with Malvern Panalytical , and no solicitation will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals or quotations; however, if an interested party believes they can meet the above requirement, all responsible sources may submit a quotation which shall be considered by the agency. The quotation must be submitted in writing and must contain material in sufficient detail to allow the Government to determine if the party can perform the requirement. Offerors must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) www.sam.gov. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. All interested parties must express their interest or quotation in writing via email to beth.kuhaneck@nih.gov within five (5) business days after the date of publication of this notice. No faxed documents will be accepted. If no responsive statements or quotations are received within five (5) business days, an award will be made to Malvern Panalytical.

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