Notice of Intent to Sole Source Purchase Order to Spark Holland Inc.

This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source purchase order and is not a request for competitive proposals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Laboratory Sciences (DLS) in Atlanta, GA, hereby announces intent to solicit and enter into a contract with Spark Holland Inc. dba iChrom Solutions, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), only one source [is] reasonably available, brand name required and under authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1, Other Than Full and Open Competition procedures. Sole source acquisition of: Purchasing of Workstation CHRONECT Symbiosis Advanced 1,000 bar UHPLC system with online SPE capability with trade-ins. The Workstation CHRONECT Symbiosis Advanced 1,000 bar Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) system with on-line Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) is the only system fully compatible with our current systems and methods, and capable of exchanging the SPE cartridges in a way that is completely synchronized with the operation of mass spectrometer data collection. The exchange of cartridges is needed to ensure validity of the analytical results because of the complexity of complex biological matrices. The new Symbiosis online SPE system with supported software suits the needs of the Division of Laboratory Sciences. The instrument being procured is required to replace outdated, non-serviceable make and model instrumentation that are failing. CLIA approved laboratory methodology has already been extensively validated using this instrument configuration. Any change to the instrument manufacturer would require an extensive time and financial effort to re-validate methodology that is unacceptable due to current project deadlines. Further, iChrom is the only manufacturer and distributor of this instrument. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals, however, the Government shall consider all responses received within fifteen (15) days of this posting, in accordance with FAR 5.203 (A)(1). If no affirmative responses are received within fifteen (15) days, negotiations will be conducted with Spark Holland Inc., as the only source and a contract will be issued without any additional notices being posted. The Government will review any/all capabilities statements and pricing information submitted and determine if other qualified sources do exist that could provide this requirement. Information received in response to this announcement will be used solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement for these services and/or supplies in the future. This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals. No solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can meet the requirement are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Specialist within fifteen (15) days of publication of this notice by August 23, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. All information received within fifteen (15) days of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government to determine if more than one firm can meet the Government's requirements and is capable of providing technically acceptable services. Responses to this posting must be submitted in writing via e-mail only. A determination not to compete the described requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Federal Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Any questions or comments should be directed via e-mail ONLY to Marie Bartkevicius at vgj6@cdc.gov. Thank you for your interest.