70--Maintenance for Thermo Finnigan MAT Mass Spec

NAICS Code: 811212 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, a fixed price purchase order with Thermo Electron North America for maintenance of a Thermo Finnigan MAT 95XP High Resolution Mass Spectrometer. This instrument is part of a complex high resolution gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system. Thermo Electron is the manufacturer of this system and much of the instruments' hardware components, as well as the instrument software operating system, are proprietary. The maintenance agreement includes software updates, which are required for continuing operation. The period of performance will be for a 1-year period starting September 18, 2006, with a 1-year option to renew. This synopsis for commercial item service is prepared in accordance with the format in FAR Subpart 12.6 in conjunction with FAR 13.5, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. The NAICS Code for this purchase is 811212. The authority for this sole source procurement is FAR Part 6.302-1 in that Thermo Electron North America is the only known source for this acquisition. This is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is available. However, any firms that believe they can provide the required service may submit technical documentation to establish the potential of completing such work, within 15 days from the publication date of this synopsis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement or to proceed on a sole source basis. This announcement is not a solicitation; quotes are not being requested and a solicitation will not be issued. All questions relating to this announcement should be directed to Carole Wallace at the following e-mail address, [email protected]. No phone calls will be accepted.