Notice of Intent: Hamilton NGS-STAR Automated Liquid HandlerService Contract

The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Biosystems and Biomaterials Division (BBD) is focused on developing methods that will assure reliability and confidence in the measurements that underpin research and applications in genomic measurements, biomaterials, protein therapeutics and cell therapies, cancer diagnostics, nanoparticle safety, and microbial identification and quantification. BBD carries out this work through fundamental research in measurement science and the development of reference materials, reference data, and protocols.

To meet mission requirements, a service agreement for maintenance and repair for a Hamilton STAR Automated Liquid Handler is needed. The maintenance agreement(s) will ensure that the measurements carried out by BBD using the Hamilton STAR Automated Liquid Handler are reliable, reproducible, and of high enough quality to meet the needs of BBD’s stakeholders.

NIST intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Hamilton Company, 4970 Energy Way, Reno, NV, 89520-0012, United States.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Extensive market research was performed utilizing GSA Advantage, the Dynamic Small Business Database and the Internet to locate vendors. The Hamilton STAR liquid handling system is a proprietary instrument. The manufacturer (Hamilton Company) is the only source for parts, software upgrades and maintenance services. There are no authorized third-party providers.

NAICS code for this requirement will be 811210 – Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance with a small business size of $34.0M.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 1:00 pm EST July 5, 2024, will be considered by the Government. Responses must be submitted via email to the Government point of contacts listed below. 

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.