Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry Service

The intent of this special notice is for informational purposes only. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agricultural Research Service (ARS), Midwest Area (MWA) National Soil Erosion Lab, intends to award a sole source Purchase Order to Thermo Fisher Inc., for the service and maintenance of an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) at NSERL (West Lafayette IN). The proposed contract will be awarded using a Sole Source Justification in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), "Contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, proprietary data, brand-name or industrial mobilization)." Please see the attached Sole Source Justification. The synopsis does NOT constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP) or Request for Quotes (RFQ) nor does it restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice, nor will it reimburse firms for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. However, all responsible sources, meeting all requirements of the statement of need, which, if received within 2 calendar days of publication of this notice shall be considered by the Government. All responses must be submitted to the Government primary point of contact at the contracting office address shown below. If no written responses are received after the publication of this notice the contract will be awarded without further notice. A determination by the Government not to open the requirement to competition based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.