ACTION CODE: <PRESOL>

CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 - Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

SUBJECT: Upgrade to Eksigent Nano-LC pump System

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB839000-A-06834

RESPONSE DATE: August 24, 2010

CONTACT POINTS: Chris Ganey, Contract Specialist, 301-975-6205
Todd Hill, Contracting Officer, 301-975-8802

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 Eksigent Technologies, of Dublin, California for the upgrade of the Eksigent nano-LC pump System under other than full and open competition by the authority of FAR subpart 13.106 -1(b)(1). Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

A Sole Source determination is based on NIST's requirement for an upgrade to an
existing Eksigent nano-LC pump System. The upgrade includes a cHiPLC Nanoflex system. In addition to the new capabilities afforded by the Nanoflex system, one of the key requirements for this procurement is compatibility with existing equipment, both at a hardware level and more substantially at a software level. Eksigent software's is compatible with mass spectrometers made by multiple manufacturers, which may be considered as the back end of the measurement system. However, Eksigent's proprietary software is not compatible with modules made by any other manufacturer on the front end of the measurement system. Only the Eksigent NanoFlex module is compatible. NIST does not have the authority or ability to modify the instrumentation, data acquisition, or processing software to enable the use of any other manufacturer's equipment. The cHiPLC Nanoflex is the only available instrument of its kind that can interface directly with the instrumentation, data acquisition, and processing software already in use in our laboratory for nano-scale measurements. It was specifically designed to be used in conjunction with our current Eksigent nano-LC instrument.

As a result . Eksigent Technologies is uniquely qualified to meet the Government's needs.

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 334516, and the size standard is 500 employees.

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 12:00 p.m. (EST) on August 24, 2010. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to Christopher.ganey@nist gov. No telephone requests will be honored.

A determination by the Government not 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.