66--Stereo Microscopes

Introduction: Pursuant to FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b)(1), the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division, on behalf of the Naval Health Rearch Center (NHRC), intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis to: B & B Microscopes, LTD, Pittsburgh, PA 15237. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT IS AVAILABLE. 1. Nature and description of the supplies or services required to meet the agency's needs: The Discovery, Early Detection, Evaluation, Treatment and Prevention in Cancer Research at Penn State require a research capable stereo microscope, inverted microscopes and Petri dish holder for microscopes. The stereo microscopes and related accessories have the following salient characteristics: " Stereo Microscope x1 o Transmitted Light Base o Reflected Light Source o Zoom Ratio 10:1 (0.63x-6.3x) o Built-in AS Zoom Body o Objective Mounting Screw Mount o Eye Piece Focusable x2 o Trinocular Observation Tube o 30 Degree Trinocular Head o Fine Focusing Unit o LED Light Stand RoHS Compliant o AC adapter o 3-Prong Powercord o Fitted Dustcover o Dual Chrome Gooseneck " Stereo Microscope x1 o Transmitted Light Base o Reflected Light Source o Zoom Ratio 10:1 (0.63x-6.3x) o Built-in AS Zoom Body o Objective Mounting Screw Mount o Eye Piece Focusable x2 o Trinocular Observation Tube o 30 Degree Trinocular Head o Fine Focusing Unit o LED Light Stand RoHS Compliant o AC adapter o 3-Prong Powercord o Fitted Dustcover o Dual Chrome Gooseneck " Petri Dish Holder Variable Diameter 25-86mm for H117 Stage 2. A demonstration that the proposed contractor is the only source available to provide these services or goods (i.e. unique qualifications, proprietary rights, etc.): Olympus is an innovative company that produces research capable and clinical microscopes. Olympus microscope systems are configured to provide the best environment to view samples. Distortion free viewing and authentic color representation are ingrained qualities that represent their research grade microscopes. The built-in AS zoom body is a feature that is found in limited availability in microscopes. Olympus can also provide expansion support for its microscopes with available digital photography and analysis software options to ensure a long product use life. B&B Microscopes is the regional vendor for Olympus microscopes that covers the area where the Penn State study takes place. They are registered as a small business under CAGE code 4X834. B&B Microscopes has also provided microscopes for the study on award W911QY-09-P-0187. 3. A description of the market research that was conducted and the results, or a statement of the reason a market research was not conducted: A search was conducted between 25 Feb and 1 Mar 2010 using Internet search engines, the Central Contractor Registry (CCR) database, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) Dynamic Small Business Search. The CCR and SBA search referenced NAICS code 333314 Optical Instrument and Lens manufacturing and keywords stereo microscope, inverted microscope, optical equipment. The SBA Dynamic Small Business Search returned several small businesses associated with both the NAICS 333314 and any of the relevant keywords. The found vendors offer a variety of related products which are compared in the attached market research. The competing models did not meet the qualifications set out by the principal investigators. Internet research found that the model that best meet the salient characteristics of the stereo microscope is available from a single vendor. While there are other stereo microscopes available on the market they do not fit the salient characteristics. The Olympus SZX 10 manufactured by Olympus sold by B&B Microscopes best meets the requirements. 4. Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition: None 5. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required: There are different options for stereo microscopes and inverted microscopes available on the market. The principal investigators have determined that the feature that best help their research is found on the two types of microscopes requested. Some of the available microscopes fulfill part of the requirements but microscopes manufactured by Olympus managed to fulfill all of the requirements. The two models that best fit the characteristics can be purchased through Olympus regional vendors. The Discovery, Early Detection, Evaluation, Treatment and Prevention in Cancer Research at Penn State are located in the area covered by B & B Microscopes. 6. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement to the U.S. Army RDECOM Contracting Center, Natick Contracting Division via e-mail to: contact@example.gov no later than noon on March 23, 2010. Contracting Office Address: RDECOM Contracting Center - Natick CCRD-NA-SU, Natick Contracting Division Kansas Street, Building 1 Natick, MA 01760-5011 Point of Contact: Steven Streeter, Contract Specialist +1 (555) 000-0000 contact@example.gov