J -- Maintenance Agreement on ABI PRISM 3730XL DNA ANALYZER

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, through the Plum Island Animal Disease Center, is seeking to negotiate a sole source maintenance and service contract with Applied Biosystems North American Sales & Service for the ABI PRISM 3730XL DNA Analyzer. This is not a request for quotations or offers but a notification that the government intends to proceed with a non-competitive procurement under FAR 6.302, allowing direct negotiation with a single provider due to the specific requirements of the system. The government reserves the right to forgo full and open competition, and no formal solicitation package is provided. Interested parties must submit written responses within five calendar days, with the anticipated contract award scheduled for May 1, 2004. The contract falls under NAICS code 811310 and is managed by the Department of Agriculture, specifically the USDA Agricultural Research Service located in Beltsville, Maryland. The primary point of contact is Contract Specialist Lynda R. Biedermann, who can be reached via email or phone. The government will not cover any costs associated with the preparation of responses to this announcement. This contract ensures continued maintenance and support for vital laboratory equipment at a secure federal research facility.