This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source purchase order and is not a request for competitive proposals. The National Center for Infectious Diseases Division of Viral Hepatitis Laboratory Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, intends to solicit and enter into a contract with SEQUENOM, INC.3595 John Hopkins CourtSan Diego, CA 92121-1121. They are the only manufacturer on the market that makes this particular equipment. These instruments does require regular tune up and maintenance and no other company can support that service because of the specifics of the configuration. Use of alternative means and sources to accomplish the maintenance objectives would require extensive validation and expense on the part of CDC and might jeopardize the integrity of the instrument and interfere with our work. The Government intends to solicit, negotiate and award to only one contractor using other than full and open competition procedures pursuant to the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The NAICS code for this acquisition is 811219 and the small business size standard is 500 employees. This requirement will be procured under the guidelines of FAR Part 12, Commercial Items. Award will be made using Simplified Acquisition Procedures, FAR Part 13. Interested parties should submit a capabilities statement demonstrating their ability to provide the required system to Deborah T. Workman by email at
[email protected]. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, the Government shall consider all responses received. A determination by the CDC not to compete this proposed contract, based upon responses to us notification, is solely within the discretion of the Contracting Officer.