66 -- Software upgrade for an existing Dionex DX-600 ion chromatography system

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, on behalf of the Analytical Chemistry Division, intends to negotiate on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1), with Dionex Corporation of Sunnyvale, California, to purchase a software upgrade for an existing Dionex DX-600 ion chromatography system. The software is required in order to accommodate the instrumental upgrade to include an autosampler. The autosampler functionality will aid in the automation of chromatographic elemental speciation measurements by coupling the DX-600 system to an existing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). In addition, the software equipment and software upgrade will allow all of the new and existing Dionex components to operate as one system. Sole source determination is based on the following: The required items will be used to integrate with existing NIST equipment. Sole source determination is based on the need to maintain 100 percent compatibility with existing equipment at NIST. Dionex Corporation provides the proprietary software and proprietary firmware necessary for the automation and communication of the existing DX-600 chromatography instrumentation modules with the new autosampler. Dionex Corporation manufacturers its products and does not utilize resellers or distributors. The items are only available from Dionex Corporation. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responses received on or before June 1, 2007 will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.