--Lab Supplies

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development, specifically the National Exposure Research Lab Ecosystems Research Division, plans to award a sole source fixed-price purchase order to Steris Corporation for a maintenance contract covering steam sterilizers. Steris is uniquely qualified because its service technicians are factory trained on the specific equipment and use only factory parts, ensuring proper operation and preventing malfunction. No formal solicitation or request for quote is available, though firms believing they can meet the EPA’s needs may submit a capability statement within five calendar days from the announcement date. Any such submissions must convincingly demonstrate that competition would benefit the government, although the decision to compete remains at the EPA's discretion. The contract posting was made on December 5, 2012, with a response deadline of December 10, 2012. The procurement is managed by the EPA’s Headquarters Acquisition Division in Washington, DC, with James Langan serving as the Contracting Officer and the sole point of contact for questions via email only, explicitly requesting no phone inquiries. The procurement falls under lab supplies, with no set-aside type or NAICS code specified. The EPA emphasizes that the use of factory parts by Steris is critical to maintaining equipment functionality, underscoring the justification for the sole source award.