Notice of Intent to Single Source to AB SCIEX LLC

In compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations coupled with the provisions set forth by FAR Subpart 5.101(a)(1), this Notice is hereby published to inform of the following:The U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authorities provided in the Federal Acquisition Regulations, with AB SCIEX LLC. 

The requirement is to procure the following: The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) Environmental Chemistry Program (ECP) requires a comprehensive multi-year service and support agreement for its AB SCIEX ExionLC AE liquid chromatographer coupled with QTRAP 5500 tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS) systems. The requirement comprises one base year and 3 subsequent option years to ensure uninterrupted operational capacity.

The supporting rationale is that only one source or brand name is reasonably available as detailed below: 

Exclusive Licensing Agreement/Restrictive Rights/Authorized Reseller - The source has one or more of the following: an established exclusive licensing agreement, proprietary data, limited rights in data, patent rights, OEM required certifications or OEM authorized reseller, copyrights or secret processes with regard to the supplies or services required. AB SCIEX LLC is the only capable source that can provide the required services at the necessary level of quality. LC-MS/MS is a highly specialized instrument, and the service required to maintain it is unique to the OEM. The LC-MS/MS system is an ultra-sensitive analytical platform that operates under extreme physical parameters, including high-vacuum environments and precise voltage regulations. The internal schematics, alignment protocols, and diagnostic software required for maintenance are the exclusive intellectual property of AB SCIEX LLC. The maintenance requires specialized factory training not available from other sources. Only OEM-certified engineers possess the specific technical competencies to calibrate the system to the sensitivity levels required for the ECP’s research.

Business Impact – If the particular services are not acquired from this source, it would lead to a higher risk of trial-and-error repairs, which result in compounding damage to the high-dollar-value system, creating an unacceptable gap between the failure of the instruments and repairs

The applicable Size Standard is North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code 811210 with a Small business size standard of $34M.

This Sole Source Determination is based on NOAA's requirement that AB SCIEX LLC is the only Vendor that provides the requirements.

Period of performance is the date of Award that includes base year and 3 subsequent option years. 

 **THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS AND NO SOLICITATION PACKAGE IS AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, FIRMS THAT BELIEVE THEY CAN FULLY MEET THE GOVERNMENT'S REQUIREMENTS MAY SUBMIT SUBSTANTIATING DOCUMENTATION IN WRITING TO THE IDENTIFIED POINT OF CONTACT WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER PUBLICATION OF THIS SYNOPSIS. SUCH DOCUMENTATION WILL BE EVALUATED SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DETERMINING WHETHER OR NOT TO CONDUCT THIS PROCUREMENT ON A COMPETITIVE BASIS. A DETERMINATION BY THE GOVERNMENT NOT TO CONDUCT A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT, BASED UPON RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE, IS SOLELY WITHIN THE DISCRETION OF THE GOVERNMENT. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.