Notice of NIST's Intent to Negotiate on Sole Source Basis for bi-annual maintenance agreement on Evercool MPMS SQUID - NB643040-18-02849

Notice Type: Pre-Solicitation Response Date: 07/06/2018 10:00 am Eastern Archiving Policy: Automatic, 15 days after response due date Base Notice: Notice of NIST's Intent to Negotiate on Sole Source Basis for bi-annual maintenance agreement on Evercool MPMS SQUID - NB643040-18-02849 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Quantum Design, Inc., located at 6325 Lusk Blvd, San Diego, CA 92121 USA to purchase a bi-annual maintenance agreement on Evercool MPMS SQUID. The National Institute of Standards and Technology's Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSED) is developing the measurement science related to magnetic materials (including, but not limited to, magnetic nanoparticles for biomedical applications, magnetic sensors, and magnetic refrigerants). Our ongoing work in these areas requires sensitive instrumentation for measuring the magnetic moment as a function of applied magnetic field and temperature. The biannual service is needed for the MPMS SQUID magnetometer used to characterize magnetic materials and to develop new measurement methods, in line with the NIST mission for advancing measurement science, standards and technology in ways that enhance national security and improve our quality of life, as well as MML's mission of researching industrial and environmental materials and the dissemination of tools including procedures, data and best practice guides. a The purpose of this procurement is to provide the biannual Evercool maintenance on a MPMS SQUID (serial number C-057) by Quantum Design, to be used for re-condensing cold helium gas in the dewar during operation (while measuring the magnetic properties of samples as a function of applied magnetic field and temperature). The sole source justification is based on the following: The MPMS SQUID by Quantum Design, Inc. is proprietary technology; therefore, only the manufacturer (Quantum Design) has the rights to the technical information required to properly perform this work. Market research, found that no third-party vendors authorized to repair this equipment. The resulting purchase order will be a Firm Fixed Price purchase order. The NAICS Code is 811310 with a size standard of 7.5 million dollars. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 10:00 AM ET on July 01, 2018, will be considered by the Government. General Scope of Maintenance Agreement The Contractor shall provide all support for equipment, administration, and technical execution of this contract. The Contractor is responsible for maintaining accurate records of maintenance and repair activities. Replace the following items: - RDK-415D cold head - Scroll pump Verify the equipment is operating to the original manufacturers specifications, to include cool down of the SQUID to verify operation of the instrument, especially the fill rate (?0.1 L/hour) of liquid helium during Evercool operation. 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. Inquiry POCs: contact@example.gov Primary contact@example.gov Secondary National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD) 100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640 Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640