Notice of Intent to Sole Source - TA Instruments

In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13, Simplified Acquisition Procedures, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) intends to award a purchase order on a sole source basis to TA Instruments-Waters LLC for a Discovery Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) Model 5500. NETL requires this TGA for CO2 capture studies of different materials and determination of these materials’ impregnated organics loadings. The patented IR furnace delivers the fastest heating and cooling rates available. The new 25-position autosampler takes productivity to the highest level, while also featuring the pan punch mechanism for automated sequencing of materials where the sample environment must be controlled prior to testing.

This is considered a sole source to TA Instruments-Waters because, to the best of the NETL’s knowledge based on market research conducted, TA Instruments-Waters is the sole source provider of this exact Discovery TGA 5500. The TA Instruments Discovery TGA 5500 is required to continue multiple ongoing research projects involving the screening of functionalized silica sorbents for gas capture and leach resistance of functionalized species. These projects have previously made use of a similar TA Instrument which will allow for consistency of data collection. Also, this TGA’s compatibility with existing analytical software make this instrument ideal for high through-put material evaluation. TA Instrument-Waters is the only vendor that can supply this exact TGA 5500. No known potential alternate sources exist which could satisfy NETL's requirement.

This notice of intent is not a request for quote/proposal. Any interested party that believes it is capable of meeting the NETL requirement described herein may identify themselves and must provide evidence of their capability to fulfill the requirement being requested by 11:00 AM ED on April 28, 2022. Responses must be submitted in writing to the purchasing agent, Lora Stumpf, via email at stumpf@netl.doe.gov no later than the time and date noted above. Telephone responses and requests will not be received.

A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.