Service of API-4000 Q-Trap Mass Spectrometer

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE-SOURCE CONTRACT AND IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. The intent of this Special notice is for informational purposes only. The USDA-ARS-Ablany, CA intends to award a sole source procurement to Advanced Spectra Technologies, Inc. (ASI), 1933 Davis Street, San Leandro, CA 94577 pursuant to the authority of 41 U.S.C 253(c)(1) and FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will satisfy Agency Requirements. This service contract is intended to provide parts, supplies and service, as well as training and additional expertise, for the instruments listed above, that we use in our research: an API-4000 Q-Trap mass spectrometer, which is attached to a Tempo 2D Nano HPLC System with Auto Sampler. These instruments allow for exquisitely sensitive detection and discrimination of the protein components of pathogens (part of the mission of our research unit, Produce Safety and Microbiology). Routine and non-routine service of these instruments is essential to ensure the continued high performance that our research requires. A service contract for these instruments keeps them running, and running better and longer, and also provides training and much needed expertise in the operation of these instruments. The Government intends to award a firm fixed price Purchase Order for the service agreement on or about April 29, 2016, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This Notice of Intent is not considered a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a Request for Proposals (RFP). No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. In order to be considered a potential source, interested parties must submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating the capabilities to satisfy the requirement specified above and advantages of the Government to consider another source. The documentation shall include prices and descriptive literature containing sufficient technical documentation to establish a bona fide capability to meet this requirement. Only written responses will be considered. All responses from responsible sources will be fully considered. As a result of analyzing responses to this synopsis, the contracting officer may determine that a solicitation will be issued. If a solicitation is issued, no additional synopsis will be published. Any such solicitation will be issued to the intended schedule vendor and all firms that respond to this synopsis. If no affirmative written response is received by Friday, April 29, 2016, an award will be pursued with the company mentioned above.