The USDA National Veterinary Services Laboratory Ames, IA, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(2)(b)(i) (Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, brand-name or industrial mobilization), intends to negotiate a sole source Firm Fixed Price Contract for maintenance and software updates to FEI Company, Hillsboro, OR, 97124 for transmission electron microscope (TEM) Technai Spirit Biotwin, s/n D1185. This instrument is in the Diagnostic Virology Laboratory (DVL) and is a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) facility with primary mission of isolating and/or identifying viral pathogens This instrument and software are proprietary to FEI Company and establishing a new source for this product has been unsuccessful due to the proprietary nature of this equipment. The cost has been determined fair and reasonable based on current technical knowledge of fair market value. This is not a request for quotation. However, all interested parties may contact the Contract Specialist listed below. Sources interested in responding to this requirement must be able to provide compelling evidence that they can obtain/provide the service capabilities and turnaround capability required for this project. Responses must be submitted electronically, via email, to
[email protected]. The deadline for the submittal of responses is 10:00 am CST, October 6, 2015.