Notice of Intent to Sole Source Preventative Maintenance Services for a Gamma Well Counter

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with PerkinElmer of Shelton, CT for the procurement of a Preventative Maintenance Services on an existing PerkinElmer Wizard2 Gamma Well Counter for a base year plus four option years for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML). The Radioactivity Group of the PML develops and improves the metrological techniques used for the standardization of radionuclides, and carries out a wide range of programs in low-level standards for environmental measurements and monitoring, standards for nuclear medicine, standards and testing criteria for radiological instrumentation used for security, and radionuclide metrology. Its mission is to develop, maintain, and disseminate radioactivity standards, develop and apply radioactivity measurement techniques, and engage in research to meet the requirements for new standards.

The continued operation of the gamma well counter is critical to the maintenance of low-level secondary radioactivity standards; uninterrupted operation of the instrument is essential to preserving the integrity of long-term (multi-year) data acquisitions supporting radio nuclidic half-life determinations. The existing PerkinElmer Wizard2 Gamma Well Counter is the cardinal instrument in the Radioactivity Group and the success of the projects depend heavily on the performance of it. PerkinElmer is the sole manufacturer and sole technician capable and authorized of providing the required preventative maintenance to ensure full operation.

Only PerkinElmer has the proprietary knowledge and parts to successfully maintain the instrument. No other vendors are capable of providing the services required. In addition, only authorized PerkinElmer technicians are able to provide the services to maintain the existing warranty of the system during maintenance.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition 811219, with a size standard of $20.5 million dollars. 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 be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, responses received by November 6, 2015 will be considered by the Government.