66--Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Nikon C2+ Laser Scanning Confocal Upgrade

The U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) in support of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (MRICD) intends to negotiate solely (as prescribed in FAR 13.106(b)(1)(i)) with Nikon Instruments, Inc., 1300 Walt Whitman Road, Melville, NY 11747, for the award of a firm-fixed price commercial Purchase Order for an upgrade to an existing Nikon confocal microscope. The USAMRICD requires an upgrade to an existing Nikon Ti Fluorescent microscope in order to conduct research on a DTRA project being carried out during FY 2014 funding period. The upgrade required must be provided by Nikon Instruments, Inc. as compatibility with the existing Nikon Ti-E microscope hardware and software already in MRICD's inventory is essential to the research. The requested Nikon C2+ laser scanning confocal upgrade uses the existing Nikon Fluorescent microscope stage, optics and software to add additional hardware enabling laser scanning and confocal microscopy. This upgrade will greatly enhance the capability of the current Nikon Ti Fluorescent microscope. Nikon Instruments, Inc. distributes directly and is therefore the only source that can satisfy the Government's requirement. Therefore, the Government expects to purchase this Nikon manufactured upgrade for the Nikon Ti- Eclipse inverted Fluorescent microscope directly from Nikon Instruments, Inc. without competition. See the attached spreadsheet for the product descriptions and numbers that will be purchased for this upgrade (follow the Additional Documentation link below). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this requirement is 333314 and the size standard is 500 employees. This announcement constitutes the only notice by the government; a written solicitation will not be issued. All sources that believe they are eligible to provide these items must respond in writing. Responses must be supported with clear and convincing evidence to clearly articulate the ability to provide the items outlined above. A request for documentation will not be considered an affirmative response. This Special Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotes. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. If no written responses are received by the date listed below, which reflects 15 days after the publication of this notice, the purchase will be awarded without further remark. All questions and responses concerning this notice shall be emailed to Ms. Lisa Zarick at contact@example.gov. Interested concerns must identify their capability in writing to the above e-mail address or by mail to the address listed below no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time, Wednesday, July 30, 2014. Contracting Office Address: US Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, ATTN: MCMR-AAA, 820 Chandler Street, Frederick, MD 21702-5014 Point of Contact: Lisa Zarick