U.S. Geological Survey, Branch Of Acquisition and Federal Assistance, Box 25046, Denver Federal Center, Denver, CO 80225-0046

66 -- LOW BLANK ULTRA HIGH VACUUM EXTRACTION FURNACE SOL n/a DUE 091297 POC Purchasing agent, Cheryl Holz 303-236-5900 xt-356, Concerns having the ability to provide the following are requested to give written notification (including the telephone number for a point of contact) to the procuring office above within 45 calendar days from the date of this synopsis. Salient Characteristics: As part of a sample preparation line for an existing noble gas mass spectrometer the Government requires a custom high temperature (in excess of 1700 degrees C) very low blank furnace for extraction of noble gases from Geologic materials by high temperature fusion of minerals while maintaining a low blank level and ultra high vacuum condition. Furnace must also be water cooled with tantalum crucible, and gun drilled molybdenum crucible liners. Unit must also include a thermocouple, heater, adjuster, and programmable controller. Unit is radiatively heated from a resistance heated tungsten heating element that includes appropriate radiation/reflective shields and supports. Government requires that furnace be compatible with three previously acquired, Government owned, Modifications Limited, Model TC-9 extraction furnaces in order to have parts interchangeability including acceptance of custom moly liners. Based on information available at this time, and in accordance with 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), implemented by FAR 6.302-the Government considers the item specified as a sole source from Modifications Limited, P. O. Box 220276, Newhall, CA, 91322 and proposes to negotiate a contract with that firm on that basis. However, should additional sources be identified, they will be considered. Firms who feel that they can furnish the required item or its functional equivalent (based upon the criteria specified herein) are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement. An affirmative response would include literature, brochures and such other materials which correspond to the required items stated herein. This information will be evaluated and used to determine if competitive opportunities exist. Since no solicitation document exists, requests for such documents without accompanying information will be considered non-responsive to this request without further consideration. This notice may represent the Government's only official notice of this procurement. See Note 22. (0210)

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