Added: Aug 04, 2008 1:05 pm
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with Janis Research Company, Inc., Wilmington, MA, for the purchase of a Model SHI-950T Top-loading Closed-cycle Refrigerator.
NIST cites FAR 6.302-1(a)(ii)(A) and (B) (see excerpt below) as primary rationale for Sole Source Determination.
(ii) Supplies may be deemed to be available only from the original source in the case of a follow-on contract for the continued development or production of a major system or highly specialized equipment, including major components thereof, when it is likely that award to any other source would result in
(A) Substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition, or
(B) Unacceptable delays in fulfilling the agency s requirements. (See 10 U.S.C. 2304(d)(1)(B) or 41 U.S.C. 253 (d)(1)(B).)
Sole Source determination is based on the following: Janis Research Company is the manufacturer of a family of five top-loading closed-cycle refrigerators (CCRs) used for neutron scattering experiments at the NIST Center for Neutron Research in Gaithersburg, Maryland. These CCRs were acquired through two openly competed procurements (awards SB1341-03-W-1159 and SB1341-06-N-1317). This CCR family shares a modular design that enables the use of interchangeable configuration kits to adapt to the particular facility interfaces specific to different neutron scattering instruments. In ths family of CCRs, the government has invested the following: interchangeable sample sticks, special purpose configuration kits, and spare parts. A portion of this investment is in a spare coldhead to minimize downtime for maintenance, plus additional sample sticks and cables. These CCRs have proven to be an integral part of the sample environment fleet used at the NCNR. Their versatility has made accessible a very wide temperature range along with numerous options for special experimental conditions such as high pressure, high voltage, gas loading, and relative humidity. This is a follow-on contract to expand this family by the procurement of one CCR for use on a specialized neutron scattering instrument at the NCNR.
In order to maintain consistency and compatibility with the Division s existing neutron scattering instrument, the Center requires an additional closed-cycle refrigerator (CCR). Janice Research Company, Inc., is the sole manufacturer and distributor of the CCR that is required to satisfy the Government s minimum requirements.
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 500 employees.
No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, the Government will consider responses received by August 19, 2008, 3:30 p.m. EST.
A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.
