National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div., Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

J -- MAINTENANCE OF PHI MODEL 670 ELECTRON MICROSCOPE SOL 52SBNB7C1230 DUE 072197 POC Contract Specialist, Keith Kennedy, (301) 975-6325/Contracting Officer, Lisa Jandovitz, (301) 975-6344 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to acquire, on a sole source basis, maintenance services for a PHI model 670 scanning electron microprobe with a polarization analyzer from Physical Electronics, Inc. (PHI), Eden Prairie, MN. This highly specialized electron microprobe employs state-of-the-art technology. The service includes: A. An annual preventative maintenance visit, B. Maximum of six on-site emergency visits by a qualified service engineer, C. Replacement of defective parts, excluding consumables, at no additional charge, D. Optic repairs at no additional charge, E. Optic rebuilds at one-half the current labor rate, F. Technical telephone support at no additional charge, G. Factory repair services, H. Use of loaner and exchange program at no additional charge, I. Guaranteed five-day response time. The base period for performance is from October 1, 1997 through September 30, 1998. The solicitation will include three option years for maintenance service. This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals. The NIST intends to solicit one source under authority of FAR 13.106-2(a)(5), which authorizes contracting without providing for full and open competition when only one source is reasonably available. Because of the unique nature of this microscope, the NIST believes that PHI is the only available and responsible source. However, interested parties may identify to the Contracting Officer their written interest and capability to satisfy the Government requirement within 15 days after the date of this synopsis. The capability statement must provide adequate information on supplying this maintenance service. The NIST must receive all of the above to determine whether to open this requirement for competition. A determination not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses received to this notice lies within the sole discretion of the NIST. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. (0184)

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