Service and maintenance of scientific equipment

Special Notice: FD-2023-364

NOAA/NMFS/Northwest Fisheries Science Center


In compliance with FAR Subpart 13 coupled with the provisions set forth by FAR Subpart 5.101(a)(1), this Notice is hereby published to inform of the following:

The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Life Technologies Corporation


Using the procedures of FAR Part 13 the requirement is to procure the following: The “AB Assurance 1PM” service and maintenance contract for the 3500 Genetic Analyzer (S/N: 27128-170) and the QuantStudio 6 Flex real time PCR system (S/N 278862711) for the Northwest Fisheries Science Center Molecular Genetics Laboratory in Seattle, WA. The maintenance contract, “AB Assurance 1PM”, for the 3500 Genetic Analyzer expires 09/27/2023 and  their work cannot have any interruption in service agreement contracts. The base year service contract will include an additional IQOQ visit to re-calibrate the instruments following the January 2024 lab relocation. 
Base Period:
09/2023 – 01/2024 - location – 2725 Montlake Blvd E, Seattle, WA
01/2024 – 09/2024 - location – 6505 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA
QuantStudio 6: 9/28/2023 – 9/27/2024
Genetic Analyzer: 9/28/2023 – 9/27/2024
IQOQ post-relocation - QuantStudio 6: 9/28/2023 – 3/30/2024
[location – 6505 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA]
IQOQ post-relocation - Genetic Analyzer: 9/28/2023 – 3/30/2024
[location – 6505 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA]
Option Period 1:
[location – 6505 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA]
QuantStudio 6: 9/28/2024 - 9/27/2025
Genetic Analyzer: 9/28/2024 – 9/27/2025
Option Year 2:
[location – 6505 NE 65th St, Seattle, WA]
QuantStudio 6: 9/28/2025 - 9/27/2026
Genetic Analyzer: 9/28/2025 – 9/27/2026The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 811210 with a Small business size standard of $34M.

The Conservation Biology Molecular Genetics Laboratory requires a service and maintenance contract to support continued analysis of tissue and environmental samples for multiple projects including, but not limited to, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement forensic investigations.Life Technologies (ThermoFisher) is the only service provider that has access to Original Equipment Manufacturer Parts, and is the only service provider with technicians certified in the most up-to-date parts & techniques that the instruments require to optimally perform. The Life Technologies (ThermoFisher) 3500 Genetic Analyzer was improved from older genetic analyzer models with the addition of a single-line 505 nm, solid-state long-life laser. This laser is critical to the operation of the instrument and the Original Equipment Manufacturer Part can only be service by certified Life Technologies engineers. Our forensic genetic results and calibrations need to conform to industry standards, quality and legal service for acceptance in the courtroom. For these reasons other service providers do not have the capability to provide the required parts and service needed to fulfill this request. Life Technologies Corporation is the only company that legally holds the intellectual property (IP) license for the instrument’s Collection Software and Sequencing Analysis. All nonauthorized third party service providers are prohibited from accessing, using, or installing Genetic Analyzer software. Life Technologies Corporation is the only company currently offering service contracts for the QuantStudio 6 Flex real time PCR system.

**THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS AND NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, FIRMS THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN FULLY MEET THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUIREMENTS MAY SUBMIT SUBSTANTIATING DOCUMENTATION IN WRITING TO THE IDENTIFIED POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS SYNOPSIS. SUCH 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 RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE, IS SOLELY WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNMENT. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

Attachments

Single Source Determination