NASA/MSFC has a requirement for contractor to provide semi-annual Instrumentation Service and Maintenance on the vendor supplied equipment, Caiper 42 microfluidic workstation. Contractor to provide one year of science and engineering research and development support for unique custom design microfluidic chips to be processed on a Caliper 42 microfluidic workstation.
NASA/MSFC intends to purchase the items from Caliper Technologies, Inc., 605 Fairchild Drive, Mountain View, CA, 94043-2234. The authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 6.302-1. Competition is impractical for the following reasons: Caliper Technologies is the only source for maintaining and servicing the caliper 42 instrument now owned MSFC and resident at MSFC. The Caliper 42 instrument is a very specialized microfluidics control unit and its manufacturer, Caliper Technologies, is the only source availible to the service the instrument due to their unique knowledge of how the Caliper 42 has been designed, how it functions, and how to repair any functional areas. Caliper Technologies is the only source for replacement parts for the Caliper 42 instrument and the subject procurement is the only vehicle for obtaining needed replacement parts.
The Government intends to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12.
22. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on July 7, 2004. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. Communicate only through email.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
