Purchase of lab supplies with thorlabs

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has issued a Notice of Intent to award a sole source purchase order to Thorlabs, located in Jessup, Maryland, for the provision of laboratory supplies. This Special Notice, published on October 28, 2025, by the Department of the Navy, indicates that NRL has determined only one responsible source can satisfy its requirements for this procurement. The procurement falls under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and PSC code 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies). The purchase order will be issued using Simplified Acquisition Procedures under FAR Part 13.106-1(b), with an estimated value not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000. This is a Notice of Intent and does not constitute a solicitation or request for proposals.

Interested parties have until October 30, 2025, to submit responses demonstrating clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government. Contractors wishing to challenge the sole source determination must provide capability information showing their ability to meet NRL's requirements within the posted opening and closing dates. The Government will consider all responses solely to determine whether a competitive procurement should be conducted, with the final decision to compete or proceed with the sole source award remaining at the Government's discretion. No reimbursement will be provided for costs associated with submitting capability information, and all correspondence must reference Notice of Intent number N00173-26-Q-1102. This opportunity is classified as large business in size standard and represents a non-competitive procurement pathway contingent upon the absence of compelling competitive justification.