66--Purchase Mossbauer Spectrometer componenets and maintenance agreement

The U.S. EPA intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-(b)(1), with Science Engineering & Education Company (SEE, Co) for a refurbished RDK-205D Janis Cold Head for SEE, Co serial number 5K CCR Mossbauer System, installation of a 50mCi a Co-57 Mossbauer Gamma Source and maintenance and emergency repair agreement for one year. The Mossbauer System is used by the Office of Research and Development (ORD), National Risk Management Research Laboratory facility located at EPA Cincinnati. The Mossbauer spectrometer involves a gamma source driving motor to produce a Doppler effect aimed at a sample to measure the influence of a gamma radiation as it interacts with the sample and a cryostat system to hold the sample and permit adjustments of temperature from room temperature (273 Kelvin) to 4 Kelvin. Most companies that construct Mossbauer systems are located in Russia or Germany. EPA has identified SEE, Co as the only company with in the United States that manufacturers a Mossbauer systems and has the capability to provide the refurbished RDK-205D Janis Cold Head for SEE, Co serial number 5K CCR Mossbauer System, installation of a 50mCi a Co-57 Mossbauer Gamma Source and maintenance and emergency repair agreement for one year. Our Mossbauer spectrometer is a custom built piece of equipment by Dr. Tom Kent (SEE, Co.) and he is the only individual in the United States familiar with our instrument. The SEE Co. is located in Edina, Minnesota and employs less than 5 people. As Dr. Kent improves the design of his instruments, he provides upgrades to existing customers so that all serviceable instruments are at the same specifications. Operation of the Mossbauer system requires compatible software to communicate individually with the SEE, Co. system detector and readout/control of the Co-57 gamma source with the needed accuracy. Dr. Kent will personal travel to Cincinnati to conduct the work over a three-day period. There are no other US companies that produce Mossbauer systems and provides support after installation. The only other option, within the United States, would be a home-made, physicist-designed system for which there would be no guarantees that the part would work within our system or the software would be compatible. This procurement will be accomplished under FAR Part 12, Commercial Procedures. It is our intent to award a single fixed price purchase order consisting for a 12-month period. Interested firms may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTATIONS. A determination by the Government not to compete this acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Sources wishing to be considered MUST submit documentation demonstrating their capability to provide the parts and maintenance and emergency repair agreement through the message center at www.fedconnect.net, reference number RFQ-OH-17-00112. Documentation must be submitted within 12 calendar days of the date of publication of this notice. Telephone requests, email or fax will not be honored. Questions concerning this synopsis should be submitted in writing via the message center in FedConnect at www.fedconnect.net within 7 calendar days of the date of publication of this notice.