Sprayer System for MALDI

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

The 10th Contracting Squadron, Operational Contracting Office, United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Colorado, intends to award a Firm-Fixed Price sole source award to HTX Technologies Inc. This acquisition is for a Sprayer System for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging projects. This sprayer system will be used for imaging-based experiments as part of the Analytical Chemistry course and may be used by other classes/researchers for the deposition of substrates onto slides or other materials. This procurement is for the acquisition of a commercially available off-the-shelf item using simplified procedures in accordance with FAR parts 12 and 13. A sole source justification for this acquisition has been completed and is attached per FAR 13.106-1(b)(1).

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516 and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. This synopsis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals. DO NOT submit a bid/quote in response to this posting.

Any offerors believing they can provide the sprayer system in accordance with the salient characteristics in Attachment 2 may provide evidence for consideration. Evidence must clearly support the offeror’s claim that they can supply this piece of equipment. All qualified sources may submit a response, which if received timely, will be considered by this agency. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining if a competitive procurement may be conducted. A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Responses must be received not later than 22 September 2021, 4:00pm MDT. Responses received after this date will not be considered. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement.

Questions should be addressed to the point of contacts (POCs) Rebecca Myers, Contract Specialist, at rebecca.myers.3@us.af.mil or Casey Pehrson, Contracting Officer, at casey.pehrson.2@us.af.mil.

AFFARS 5352.201-9101 OMBUDSMAN (OCT 2019)

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.  

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). 

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman,

James Anderson

8110 Industrial Drive, Suite 103

USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone: 719-333-3829

Fax: 719-333-2379

Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU/SMC ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer. 

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