NU ICPMS MAINTENANCE

This Sources Sought Notice is to announce that the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to negotiate a contract with Spectro Analytical Instruments, Inc. on a sole-source basis, for an annual service contract for a Nu Instruments AttoM ICP-MS (NA029) and the Nu Instruments Plasma2 MC-ICP-MS (NP261). The contractor shall respond to support queries with priority access, respond to on-site support with priority access, provide consumables, provide support and parts for all needed emergency repair service (with site visits), and provide one preventive maintenance service including parts and labor (with a site visit) during the five-year performance period.

This is not a solicitation. All costs associated with providing information, as requested by this Sources Sought Notice, shall be the responsibility of the submitter. Submission is voluntary.

The USGS has concluded that this product is unique and only available from Spectro Analytical Instruments, Inc. The reasons justifying a sole source acquisition is a lack of competition. The specifics of the acquisition that permit limiting competition are:

¿ Spectro Analytical Instruments, Inc, is the only known vendor to offer a service contract as well as parts and modifications to the NP261 and the NA029 mass spectrometers and its software system as they own the proprietary rights to the equipment. The vendor does not have authorized resellers to perform this maintenance.
¿ Nu Instruments, through its parent company Spectro Analytical Instruments, Inc, is the manufacturer of the NP2 mass spectrometer, and is the only one who can provide instrument support and service. When an emergency repair service is initiated during the performance period, the repair will not be considered complete until the instrument is performing to manufacturer specifications.

Interested firms who feel that they can provide the analysis (based upon the criteria specified herein), are invited to submit in writing an affirmative response to this announcement. An affirmative response must include references with contact names, email address, and phone numbers. These references are to be for contracts similar in scope as the contract under consideration. This information will be evaluated and used to determine if competitive opportunities exist. Affirmative responses must also include supporting information showing the firm can meet all requirements set forth in this announcement.

All responses must be submitted NLT 06/16/2023 at 5:00pm EST via e-mail to: tbeals@usgs.gov.

This is NOT a Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or Invitation for Bid (IFB) and does not constitute any commitment by the Government. Responses to this sources sought notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. All interested sources must respond to future solicitation announcements separately from responses to this market survey. Any solicitation that may be issued will be posted on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website and no paper copies will be provided.