MAINTENANCE/SUPPORT BECKMAN COULTER LH750 HEMATOLOGY ANALYZER

The 633 Contracting Squadron at Langley Air Force Base intends to award a sole source contract to Beckman Coulter, Inc for maintenance/support for (1) LH750 Hematology Analyzers. The company has proprietary rights for software and is the sole distributor. The procurement is authorized under FAR 6.302-1. The Government believes that only one responsible source can provide the service that will satisfy the agency requirements. A Justification for Other than Full and Open Competition has been prepared in support of this acquisition. Firms that recognize and can provide the required work described above are encouraged to identify themselves and give written notification to Contracting Officer. This notice is not a request for competitive quotes. All responses must be received within 5 days of the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the contractor's capabilities and the ability to comply with with the above requirement. UNITED STATES AIR FORCE JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION Upon the basis of the following justification and pursuant to 10 USC 2304(c) (1) and FAR 6.302-1(c) the proposed contract described below may be awarded without providing for Full and Open Competition. I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Department of the Air Force, Air Combat Command, 633D Contracting Squadron/LGCA proposes to acquire the items described below with a "Justification for other than Full and Open Competition". II. NATURE AND DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION: The use of other than full and open competition for the acquisition of the said items in section IV below is for the 633D MDG Lab oratory, Langley AFB, Virginia. The estimated contract amount is approximately for the purchase of equipment maintenance agreement with Beckman Coulter. This action will result in a firm fixed contract. III. DESCRIPTION OF SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY'S NEEDS: The requirement is to purchase a maintenance agreement that services one (1) LH750 Hematology Analyzer unit without disruption of equipment, devices or voiding current manufacturer warranty, and system readiness. IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: 10 USC 2304(c)(1) or 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1).- the property or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source or only from a limited number of responsible sources and no other type of property or services will satisfy the needs of the agency. V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR'S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE ACQUISTION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE (APPLICABILITY OF AUTHORITY: In accordance with FAR 6.302-1, the following conditions preclude competitive full and open competition procurement. Beckman Coulter, as owner and manufacturer, is the only company that can provide all software and maintenance services. Beckman Coulter software is unique hardware that no other vendor can offer or support. Beckman Coulter is the sole domestic source for the purchase of software and parts. Beckman Coulter is the sole domestic provider of software maintenance for the LH750 Hematology Analyzer. VI. DESCRIPTION OF THE EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE: Beckman Coulter is the only manufacturer of this specialized LH750 Hematology Analyzer equipment and software. Efforts have been made to obtain competition. VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE: The Contracting Officer will determine the acquisition cost to be fair and reasonable after receipt and evaluation of the contractor's quote/proposal. A base used as the manufacturer of required equipment before resell markup, and reasonable quantity discounts have been applied the anticipated costs will be considered fair and reasonable. After review of previous history for the same or similar service the cost is determined to be less than one percent of the previous year's cost and therefore found that $11500.00 is at this time fair and reasonable. VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKER RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS OR A STATEMENT OF HE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NPT CONDUCTED: Market research was accomplished by posting on FedBizOpps on 18 December 2009 and no one responded. In CCR there were seven companies listed but none services Coulter Beckman equipment. IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: There is no other source that can meet the requirements. Two previous requirements were awarded GSA to Beckman Coulter due to no other sources could meet requirements, FA4800-05-F-0056 and FA4800-09-F-0006. X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE ACQUISTION: The requirement was posted on FedBizOpps for other sources to express interest in this requirement. No one responded. XI. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE MAKING SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITION FOR SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED: At the present time, there are no competitive sources that can meet the government's minimal acceptable needs for this requirement. All the appropriate steps to foster competition were used and no other company could fill the requirements. The Government will continue its market research for future like requirements. XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S CERTIFICATION: The Contracting Officer's signature on the Justification Review Document is evidence that the Contracting Officer has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of the Contracting Officer's knowledge and belief. XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL'S CERTIFICATON: As evidenced by their signatures on the Justification Review Document, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.