NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Neutron Imaging System Camera

DESCRIPTION: The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with Andor Technology, 425 Sullivan Avenue, Suite #3 South Windsor, CT 06074 USA for the purchase of a neutron imaging system camera for NIST's Neutron Imaging Facility. The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is FAR 13.106-1(b) by the authority of FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. NIST requires a Andor sCMOS Neo camera to backup aging versions of the same camera. This camera supports the imaging work at the NIST Neutron Imaging Facility. This facility is a Director Designated National User Facility providing neutron imaging services for Industry, Universities and National Laboratories for 100's of users yearly. To meet this mission, it is critical to back up the current workhorse camera that insures the timely and efficient operation of the facility. Andor Technology is the sole source Contractor for this product. The reason is the software that runs the camera and operates the Neutron Imaging Facility took several years to develop and debug. Changing to a different manufacturers camera would cause require the agency to create new software resulting in extended facility downtime costing the government roughly $5,000.00 per day and a duplication in costs to recreate software. To maintain compatibility with the software the same camera must be used. Andor Technology does not distribute its cameras through third parties, so there is only one responsible vendor. Delivery shall be FOB Destination, Gaithersburg, MD, and be completed in accordance with the Contractor's commercial schedule. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 333314 and the size standard is 500 employees. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by 1:00 p.m. Eastern on March 19, 2018. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to contact@example.gov . No telephone requests will be honored. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.