66--1 - Spectrmax M3 Microplate Reader with Softmax PRO, Part # Molecular D M3-G

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Army Research Institute Environmental Medicne (ARIEM) intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: Government Scietific Source, Inc. 12351 Sunrise valley Drive, Reston, VA. 20191-3415 THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. No solicitation document is available. 1) FAR Statutory Authority cited: 13.106-1(b)(1) only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. 2) Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agencys needs: The Military Nutrition Division is conducting research to better understand the complex regulatory mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of skeletal muscle mass during energy restriction. Potential findings would provide support for future research for nutritional interventions, designed to preserve skeletal muscle protein under conditions of intense physiological strain. The findings from this study will improve our current understanding of dietary conditions to prevent the damaging effects of sustained/repeated combat missions on musculoskeletal health in warfighters. These analyses require the use of a multimode microplate reader, a system currently not possessed by the Military Nutrition Division, to perform a series of experiments in order to characterize the cellular mechanisms associated with muscle loss. The intent is to award a Firm Fixed Price type contract for $35,875.00. 3) A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): The SpectraMax Multi-mode Microplate reader is a state-of- the-art multimode microplate reader that measures fluorescence and luminance. Other plate readers can measure simple measures of absorbance, but cant measure more advanced absorbance such as the fluorescence and luminance required for assays conducted by the Military Nutrition Division. The SpectraMax Multi-mode Microplate reader manufactured by Molecular Devices and is only distributed through Government Scientific Source, Inc. is the only product which meets the Military Nutrition Divisions requirements. 4) A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: Market research was not conducted because this is the only viable product to conduct our research. An assay was developed using the SpectraMax Multi-mode Microplate reader. To achieve consistent results to compare to previous studies, this instrument is required. Otherwise, the prior studies would need to be repeated to proceed forward with this new study, resulting in lost time and additional expenditures. 5) Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: NA 6) A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: Not feasible at our level. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: [email protected] no later than 8:00 a.m. on October 11, 2010. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Greg Wilson, Contract Specialist [email protected]