ACTION CODE: <PRESOL>

CLASSIFICATION CODE: 423490 - Other Professional Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers

SUBJECT: InstaRecon Skyscan 1172 Upgrade

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SB1341-11-RQ-0290

RESPONSE DATE: June 21, 2011

CONTACT POINTS: Willie W. Lu, Contract Specialist, 301-975-8259
Janine Kerns, Contracting Officer 301-975-4267

DESCRIPTION:

The Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with MicroPhotonics for the purchase of an InstaRecon Skycan 1172 Upgrade. Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The Skyscan 1172 upgrade that MicroPhotonics offers will upgrade the existing NIST Skyscan 1172 X-ray computed tomography instrument with new image reconstruction control software that uses a new algorithm and by adding an internal loading stage. This loading stage allows mechanical loads to be applied to a sample while being scanned, which will be particularly useful in studying the development of cracks in cement-based materials. The new reconstruction software allows for rapid imaging, which is what is needed for studying the development of cracking. No other internal loading device for a Skyscan X-ray CT unit is manufactured except the one by Skyscan. MicroPhotonics is the sole U.S. distributor for Skyscan.

Delivery shall be FOB Destination, Gaithersburg, MD, and be completed in accordance with the Contractor's commercial schedule.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 423490.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) on June 21, 2011. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to [email protected]. No telephone requests will be honored.

The determination whether to compete the proposed acquisition 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 a competitive procurement in the future.