This is a notice of intent to award a sole-source purchase order and is not a request for competitive proposals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Division of Laboratory Systems (DLS) in Atlanta, GA, hereby announces intent to solicit and enter into a contract with Spark Holland Inc. dba iChrom Solutions, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), only one source [is] reasonably available, brand name required and under authority of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 6.302-1, Other Than Full and Open Competition procedures . The Workstation CHRONECT Symbiosis Plus 250 bar Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) system is the only system fully compatible with Division of Laboratory Systems’ (DLS) current systems and methods, and provides an on-line solid phase extraction that is capable of exchanging the Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) cartridges in a way that is completely synchronized with the operation of mass spectrometer data collection. The exchange of cartridges is needed to ensure validity of the analytical results because of the complexity of complex biological matrices. The new Symbiosis on-line SPE system with supported software suits the needs of DLS method and is cost efficient. The instrument being procured is required to replace outdated, non-serviceable make and model instrumentation that are failing. CLIA approved laboratory methodology has already been extensively validated using this instrument configuration. Any change to the instrument manufacturer would require an extensive time and financial effort to re-validate methodology that is unacceptable due to current project deadlines. Further, iChrom/Spark Holland is the only manufacturer and distributor of this instrument. Spark Holland is the only vendor able to provide this product because they have exclusive rights to sell these products in the US. iChrom/Spark Holland has the only Field Engineers certified by Spark Holland B.V. and Axel Semrau as having the demonstrated training for installing, repairing, and preventive maintenance on all iChrom/Spark Holland components and systems. Spark Hollland is the only organization that maintains Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) spare parts for Spark Holland instruments in the United States. iChrom Solutions/Spark Holland is the only organization that maintains consumables for the systems and components in the United States. This is a notice of intent and is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals. No solicitation is available. Firms that believe they can meet the requirement are encouraged to identify themselves and provide a substantive statement with descriptive literature and any other supporting information to the Contracting Specialist within fifteen (15) days of publication of this notice by August 25 at 1:00 p.m. All information received within fifteen (15) days of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government to determine if more than one firm can meet the Government's requirements and is capable of providing technically acceptable services. Responses to this posting must be submitted in writing via e-mail only. A determination not to compete the described requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Federal Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement. Any questions or comments should be directed via e-mail ONLY to Marie Bartkevicius at
[email protected]. Thank you for your interest.