Notice of Intent to Sole Source - 990 Micro GC

The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announces its intention to negotiate and issue a sole source award to Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2850 Centerville Rd. Wilmington, DE 19808-1610 for MicroGC System for Natural Gas Analysis. This system includes the 990 Micro GC, Micro GC Installation Took Kit, OpenLab EXChrom Workstation including software and core license, and the Agilent GC Instrument driver. Agilent 990 Micro GC systems provide needed answers with innovative, industry-leading features with the quality and speed that are critical to gas analysis. Up to four channels of separation and detection, micro-machined TCD detection, and use of only 10% of power and carrier gas compared to conventional lab GC. This purchase needs to be made from Agilent Technologies. Changing the specific gas analyzer measurement instrument with a different one that is not suited to be a simple replacement/drop in would significantly impact other components and elements of the fire lab calorimetry system. Other potential instruments staff reviewed would result in significant additional costs to CPSC to modify the accompanying gas flow controllers, piping, valving, electronic data interface, and related programming of the overall calorimetry testing system software that uses the data from the analyzer in part to calibrate test results for regulated product testing. Also, there would be significant CPSC staff time involved to make the system changes that would be needed with a different analyzer and then to conduct several weeks of overall test system calibration. This could impact CPSC's ability to conduct ongoing regulated product testing where on average 2-3 full sized mattress samples are being tested each week. The award would be for a purchase order for four pieces of equipment. Agilent is the manufacturer of the Micro GC system and installation kit and is the only vendor that can provide service, support and updates of this product therefore this requires a sole source purchase. CPSC intends to negotiate this requirement under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 and 41 U.S.C. 253(c)1. The sole source procurement will be awarded as a simplified acquisition in accordance with FAR Subpart 12 & FAR Subpart 13 procedures. Interested persons may identify their interest and submit a capability statement demonstrating their ability to meet this requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all quotations/responses received within seven (7) business days of the issuance of this notice will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Any quotation/response must be in writing and can be sent via email to the Contract Specialist at lbourne@cpsc.gov by 3:00 pm Eastern Time August 3, 2021. No phone calls will be accepted.