Z -- Preventive Maintenance and Repair Services - BD Biosciences FACS ARIA System

THE NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH (NIH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisition (OA), for the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has a requirement to procure preventive maintenance and repair services for a BD Biosciences FACS ARIA system. The reference solicitation number is: NHLBI-PB(HG)-2008-070-KLW THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT, NOT A REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL. A SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED AND PROPOSALS WILL NOT BE REQUESTED. The resultant acquisition will be conducted in accordance with FAR Part 13, simplified acquisition procedures and the resultant purchase order will include all applicable provisions and clauses in effect through the Federal Acquisition Circular 05-22. The period of performance for the preventive maintenance and repair services is twelve (12) months. The total estimated amount of the resultant award is NOT expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold of $100,000.00. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 811219 and the associated small business size standard is $6.5 Million. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Office of Acquisition, Procurement Branch for the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) intend to negotiate and award a purchase order on a noncompetitive sole source basis to BD Biosciences Immunocytometry Systems, 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, California 95131, to purchase preventive maintenance and repair services for a BD Biosciences FACS ARIA system. The FACS ARIA SPECIAL System, product number 345381, serial number P22300063, includes a sapphire 488-100 blue laser, hene laser, and violet laser 50MW. The preventive maintenance and repair service contract provides two preventive maintenance inspections to be performed during a twelve-month period, two preventive maintenance kits, software revisions released during the agreement term, unlimited service visits, Monday through Friday, excluding BD holidays. Unlimited telephone support for instruments, reagents and applications at no additional charge, and with reasonable effort 48 hour response to emergency on-site service requests. Market Research conducted by the Government in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Part 10, Market Research, has determined that the BD Biosciences Immunocytometry Systems, 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, California 95131 is currently the only company that can provide preventive maintenance and repair services to its manufactured FACS ARIA system. The sole source determination is based upon the results of the market research conducted by the Government which determined that BD Biosciences Immunocytometry Systems, 2350 Qume Drive, San Jose, California 95131 is the manufacturer of the FACS ARIA system and the preventive maintenance and repair services can only be performed by the manufacturer. Therefore, an award to any other source is not feasible or practical. The contract will be awarded using the simplified acquisition procedures of FAR Part 13? Simplified Acquisition Procedures, therefore the requirements of FAR Part 6 - Competitive Requirements are not applicable (FAR Part 6.001). This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis. The determination by the Government not to compete the proposed contract 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 future competitive procurement. Inquires to this announcement, referencing synopsis number NHLBI-PB(HG)-2008-070-KLW, may be submitted to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Office of Acquisition, Procurement Branch, 6701 Rockledge Drive, Suite 6042, Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7902, Attention: Kesha L. Williams. Response may be submitted electronically to williamk@nhlbi.nih.gov or hawkinsd@nhlbi.nih.gov and by fax to (301) 480-3345. Responses will only be accepted if dated and signed by an authorized company representative.