Notice of intent to single source

The National Marine Fisheries Service, Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Bruker Optics, Inc. to provide an MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer for the Resource Ecology & Ecosystem Modeling (REFM) Age & Growth Laboratory.

REFM Age & Growth Lab requires the purchase of a Bruker Spectrometer as an instrument in predicting the ageing of fish otoliths from near infrared spectra. The REFM Age & Growth Lab has developed methodologies to use FT-NIRS for producing spectra that will be used for aging Federally-managed species. One of the requirements is that the same equipment and software is used to develop more advanced methods. The Bruker equipment and software is currently being used by the REFM Age & Growth Lab with existing older equipment.

The MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer is used in various industries to ensure quality control standard are maintained. The MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer is an upgraded model of the standard FT-NIRS which the REFM Age & Growth program has developed existing methodologies on. The MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer has a 3-channel configuration to allow for 1) transmission measurements of semi/solid samples, 2) reflectance measurements of solids; and 3) liquid samples in transmission. The MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer is suited for laboratories involved in production and routine ageing since it also allows for a sample wheel/sample changer to be added so that 30+ samples can be scanned uninterrupted. MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer will allow for other biological samples (e.g., eye lenses, vertebrae, reproductive tissue, etc.) to also be scanned; therefore, it is not limited to only scanning solid biological structures such as otoliths. The Bruker Optics MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer has a cube-corner mirror, which provides greater stability for the alignment of the instrument over time; thus providing repeatability and stability over time. The standardization of technique in terms of both the interferometer and machine is critical for transferability of data from instrument-to-instrument and location-to-location.

With the purchase of this instrument, calibrations that are developed in the Age & Growth Lab can be transferred directly to the MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer seamlessly and without data loss. The calibration models that have already been developed at the Age & Growth Lab have been built on a Bruker spectrometer. Purchasing a MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer from another company could lead to a high risk in compromising the results if these calibration models cannot be transferred to an MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer that is not from Bruker or an MPA II. The current models and methodologies have been developed on a Bruker FT-NIRS and transfer of these models to a Bruker MPAII FT-NIR Spectrometer is the only equipment deemed to be compatible.

This special notice is not a request for competitive offers and no solicitation package is available. However, firms that believe they can provide the supplies may submit substantiating documentation in writing within ten (15) days of this notice. Responses can be sent via e-mail to Suzanne.Johnston@noaa.gov. Documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to conduct a competitive procurement, based upon response to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.

DOC, National Marine Fisheries Service requires that all contractors doing business with this office be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM). No award can be made to a company not registered in SAM. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site: www.sam.gov. To register, all contractors must have a Dun and Bradstreet number. A Dun and Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun and Bradstreet on-line at http://www.dnb.com/eupdate or by telephone at (800)333-0505.

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