The National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), Center for Cancer Research (CCR), intends to procure the brand-name Gatan Solarus Advanced Plasma System with Gatan Inc., 780 Commonwealth Dr., Warrendale PA 15086.

This acquisition will be processed in accordance with simplified acquisition procedures as stated in FAR Part 13.106-(b)(1). The North American Industry Classification System Code is 811219 and the business size standard is $6.5M.

Only one award will be made as a result of this solicitation.

The Biophysics Section of the Lab of Cell Biology at the NCI has a need for the Gatan Solarus Advanced Plasma System in order to prepare, clean, and hydrophilic electron microscope specimen preparation grids for use in high resolution electron microscope data collection experiments. Clean grids are absolutely essential for experiments in high resolution three dimensional electron microscopy in the Lab of Cell Biology.

Facts and Reasons to Justify Other Than Full And Open Competition

Statute: This justification has been prepared under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253 (c)(1) as set forth in 13.106-1 (b)(1).

(b) Soliciting from a single source.

(1) For purchases not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold, contracting officers may solicit from one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available (e.g., urgency, exclusive licensing agreements, or industrial mobilization).

No other requirement and/or type for supply or service will satisfy agency need

The Gatan Solarus Advanced Plasma System is the only known system of this kind which can handle up to 50 specimen grids which is a prerequisite for our experiments. The Lab of Cell Biology operates and maintains several Gatan instruments and it is very important that we standardize our equipment to the fullest extent possible and the maximize the productivity and the quality of the experiments. Adding the Gatan Solarus Advanced Plasma system to the existing equipment in the lab will provide ease of instrument maintenance in case of malfunction. The Gatan Solarus Advanced Plasma System is the only known system which is able to meet all of the below requirements.

Salient Characteristics required of the Gatan Solarus Advanced Plasma System are:
1) ability to plasma clean more than 30 grids at a time, without requiring special positioning of grids in a holder
2) ability to operate as a benchtop system
3) demonstrated compatibility with existing microscopes and vacuum devices in the laboratory

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotations. However, if any interested party believes it can meet the above requirement, they may submit a statement of capabilities. All information furnished must be in writing and must contain sufficient detail to allow the NCI to determine if it can meet the above unique specifications described herein. An original and one copy of the capability statement must be received in the NCI contracting office on or before 11:00 AM EST on December 29, 2008. All questions must be in writing and can be faxed to (301) 402-4513 or emailed to Melissa Marino, Contract Specialist at [email protected]. It is the vendor's responsibility to call (301) 402-4509 to verify questions have been received. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract 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. In order to receive an award, contractors must have valid registration/certification in the Central Contractor Registration (CCR) www.ccr.gov and the Online Representations and Certifications Applications (ORCA), http://orca.bpn.gov. No collect calls will be accepted. Please reference solicitation number NCI-90030-MM on all correspondence.