The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) intends to award a sole source contract under the statutory authority permitting Other than Full and Open Competition 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2), to STERIS Corporation.

In order to preserve the operation efficiency and shelf life of lab instruments manufactured by STERIS Corporation, it is necessary to engage in a maintenance agreement for these items with STERIS. To our knowledge there are no other vendors capable of providing this service as a STERIS licensed technician. STERIS does not endorse any other companies or individuals to maintain their equipment. Please see attached JOFOC for additional information. The proposed contract will be a firm fixed price maintenance agreement with a base year and four option years. This notice of intent is NOT a request for proposals or quotations. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action 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 conducting a competitive procurement is in the best interest of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability by responding to this requirement, no later than 9:00 am CT, August 29, 2014, by email to [email protected]. All information submitted should support the offeror's capability to provide the items required, and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. The Government reserves the right to cancel the Sole Source Award.